damper frozen?

[william Harris]

Advice needed.
Tried to light fire in my open masonry fireplace. Room filled with smoke. Turns out the damper not open. It is a top damper near the opening at the top of the chimney opened and closed by a pulley and chain.
We had a fair amount of freezing rain here. Is it likely just frozen up?

 

[Dune]

Did you try to open it?

 

[william Harris]

Did you try to open it?

I did. Usually I hear a clunk as I opens and closes into place but nothing. It is dark of course so I'll have to wait to look up and see daylight.
It is possible I suppose the chain broke

At any rate....no fire tonight lol

 

[begreen]

I would think that if the chain broke that at least one end would fall down into the fireplace. It could be frozen. Don't force it.

 

[RAVinMetrowest]

Put an electric space heater in the fireplace and melt the damper....

 

[bholler]

we see them frozen occasionally but it is usually a sign that the damper was not sealing properly and allowing some warm moist air to escape i would do what Ravinmetrowest said but then make sure it is adjusted properly. It might be fine but more often than not when we see a frozen top sealer it was not sealing well and that was trhe cause of the problem.