In today's chimney industry, we have top-locking chimney dampers that are easy to install, rust proof, and completely seal the flue when not in use.

A chimney cap/damper is a spring-loaded metal cover that retracts to form a seal on top of the chimney when the fireplace is not in use.

Question: During winter, I feel a breeze coming down the fireplace chimney even with the hearth damper closed. Also, I think raccoons and bats get down in there. Will installing a chimney-top ...

I encourage you to investigate chimney-top dampers. Among other advantages, they can save you significant money on heating and air conditioning.

Coupled with the top sealing damper, doors would isolate the air inside the chimney, preventing it from rolling out into the house.

It is possible to replace a chimney throat damper, but installing a flue-top damper makes more sense and is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project. A good quality flue-top damper costs between ...

If this problem persists, the easiest thing you can do to prevent it is to have a top-sealing damper installed on the basement fireplace flue. Top-sealing dampers are stainless steel devices that ...

Larry questioned us about a previous column in which we recommended that a couple in Cupertino install a chimney-top damper to lessen the smell of ash in their house when a fire was not burning.