
By Walt from New Kensington, PA on November 5, 2012
I needed to have my fireplace damper plate removed to get baby raccoon out of the chimney. Now, I have a roughly 24" X 4" opening into the chimney above my ventless gas logs in which I want to put a loose, unsecured replacement plate.
There is room above this opening to slide a plate that is somewhat larger than the opening and that plate could then rest on bricks and effectively close the area. The top of the chimney is now (since the raccoon) capped but dirt and water sometimes get in and damage my gas logs.
Do you have a plate that I can buy to slide into and fill this opening? There would be no need to open or close the plate once it rests in place.
By Tyler M. - Fireplace Specialist on November 6, 2012
Answer:
Unfortunately, we do not work with a manufacturer that supplies such an item. It is common to used rolled, unfaced fiberglass insulation to seal around any liner that passes through the damper area. However, a block-off plate would need to be fabricated on site. By Raymond from Leesburg OH on January 20, 2013
I have a vestal damper but I am missing the piece that hangs and catches the poker style piece. Can I just buy one of those?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on January 21, 2013
Answer:
Vestal does not offer the poker catch as an individual piece at this time. The catch is only sold in conjunction with the replacement poker arm, seen
here. I apologize that we do not have this item individually.
By anthony from New York on December 6, 2012
I have a fireplace damper that looks identical to the Vestal models I see on your site, even though it is at least 50 years old. I want to install a wood burning insert with a 6-inch liner opening. Even with the damper plate "open" it looks like only 5 inches is available.
I think if I just completely remove the damper plate the cylindrical 6-inch liner might make it through the damper opening without forcing it into too much of an "oval" shape. However, I can't find how the plate can be removed. In the photos it seems to have two tabs. Is it just a matter of lifting the plate up so the tabs come out, or are there screws or bolts to contend with. Also, is the whole damper unit (frame and plate together) secured with bolts or mortar?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on December 7, 2012
Answer:
On the Vestal damper models we sell, the damper plate is held in position by a pair of mounting pins. The pins are driven into position through the welded bushings and can be knocked out of place by using a punch or chisel. Some older damper plates simply have the plate resting on an open hinge and the plate can simply be lifted out of position.
Generally, the entire damper throat is only held in position with parging. This can usually be chipped away and will allow the throat to be removed if necessary.By Joe from Atlanta on December 31, 2012
I have a brick fireplace with no damper. The clay flue is in good condition and I was thinking of getting a chimney cap and bottom damper.
I don't think I can use one of the top dampers because I don't have any of the clay flue extending above the top of the chimney, and the furnace uses a separate flue in the chimney to vent, so I can't block that. The flue is 11" x 7" but I can't seem to find a damper that would work.
By Tyler M. - Fireplace Specialist on January 2, 2013