How to Tell if a Fireplace Damper is Open or Closed

A fireplace damper is what allows the smoke to move up the chimney and out of your house into the outside world. It’s a great thing but if you are not using your fireplace an open fireplace damper can make your home damp and cold. It is easy to check your fireplace damper and a warm and cozy house will be the result.  

Things you will need

• Newspapers


• Flashlight

1        Remove the fireplace grate so that you don’t hurt yourself on it and you have enough room to be able to see up the chimney. Take your newspapers and flashlight and see if your damper is open or closed.

2        Put a layer of newspapers on the floor of the fireplace. This will assure that your clothes will not be soiled by any soot or debris that may have collected in your fireplace as a result of past fires. If you have no newspaper’s then be sure to wear clothing that you don’t mind being ruined.

3        Look up the chimney until you can see completely through the chimney. Do this by leaning into the fireplace until your head is level with the chimney.

4        Turn on the flashlight that you brought with you and aim it up the chimney. Take a peek up the chimney. If you can see any light or the sky through the chimney then your fireplace damper is open and you will need to close it. It is also possible that your fireplace damper is missing. It will be better to replace it than to pay the high heating bills that will result if you leave the fireplace damper open for the winter.