Contact Chimney Concepts for Chimney Services in Manitowoc & Surrounding Areas
What’s there to do in Manitowoc, WI? A whole lot, actually! This is a charming city located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and it offers a nice mix of natural beauty and big city attractions, making it a great place to live and visit.
Here are some highlights:
- Wisconsin Maritime Museum: This museum celebrates the maritime history of the Great Lakes with a focus on the shipbuilding heritage of Manitowoc.
- Rahr-West Art Museum: Housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion, this museum features an impressive collection of fine art.
- West of the Lake Gardens: These well-maintained gardens along the lakeshore offer a peaceful retreat with vibrant flowers, sculptures, and walking paths.
- Lincoln Park Zoo: Take the kiddos to this small, family-friendly zoo featuring native Wisconsin animals, a petting zoo, and playgrounds.
- Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse: This historic lighthouse, located on a breakwater extending into Lake Michigan, is a popular spot for fishing and photography.
- Mariners Trail: This scenic trail that runs along the Lake Michigan shoreline is perfect for walking, biking, or just enjoying the lake views.
There’s also lots of great annual events, fishing opportunities (with Lake Michigan right there), and plenty of options for outdoor recreational fun.
And, if you’re more of a homebody, that’s fine too! Just be sure to trust us with regular chimney maintenance, so that your fireplace is ready for use when you need it. Give us a call to schedule, or you can book online with our experts today.
We Provide Fireplace Repairs & More in Rutland, Mantiwoc & Surrounding Cities
Your chimney is made up of a lot of complex parts. Think of it like a business. Your fireplace damper, chimney, chase cover, chimney crown, and flashing are kind of like the security team of your chimney system, controlling who (or rather what) gets in and out. And your firebox is like the showroom floor, where all the eye-catching stuff is featured.
And no good shop is complete without an enticing exterior to draw people in – cue the masonry walls. The list could go on, but we’ll quit boring you with metaphors. The long and short of it – there’s lots going inside a chimney and fireplace system, and every piece of anatomy is just as important as the rest!
For instance, what if one of your “security people” goes off duty? What if they get stuck, warped, damaged, misaligned, or rusted? (Okay, maybe we pushed the comparison too far…but you get the idea!) Well, that’s where we come in with the following repair and maintenance services:
In the end, you need a fully operational system to preserve both your indoor air quality and the efficiency and integrity of your chimney system. If you need your chimney inspected or repaired, we have a solution for you.
Call or book online with us now.
What Is a Fireplace Damper?
What kind of traffic happens in a chimney? You’d be surprised. It can act as a passageway for hot air, cold drafts, smoke, and more. Some of these things you want in your living space (cozy, ambient warmth) and some you definitely don’t (thick, nasty smoke).
A fireplace damper is part of the chimney system that controls the airflow and draft within your chimney and fireplace – keeping your household cozier when the fireplace isn’t in use and ensuring smoke gets out, when it is. Functionally, it’s like a gate or moveable barrier between your home’s interior and the chimney flue.
You might find your damper in one of a few different locations within the chimney system: at the top of the firebox, within the chimney flue, or mounted on top of your chimney. The fireplace damper’s job is to regulate the amount of air entering or exiting the chimney by opening or closing – this can be done either manually, by a handle or lever, or automatically in some newer systems.
When the fireplace is in use, the damper is opened to allow smoke, gases, and some heat to exit through the chimney. This movement of oxygen not only helps your fire burn well, it also keeps smoke and carbon monoxide from entering your home.
When you’re done enjoying your fire? It’s time to close the damper to seal off the chimney. This keeps cold air from entering your home from outdoors in winter or seals cooler air in during the summer. In other words, it helps with your home’s climate control and improves energy efficiency.
Dampers need to stand up to high temperatures and remain functional over the years. Designs can vary, but at the simplest they are metal plates that can be adjusted to open, close, or partially open positions. Like most things in your home, a damper can experience wear and tear over time, so regular inspection and maintenance by a professional chimney sweep are needed to help keep your damper – and the rest of your system – operating smoothly.
What Are the Safety Concerns With a Malfunctioning Damper?
A malfunctioning damper needs to be addressed right away. Its role in controlling airflow and venting combustion gases and smoke plays a significant part in keeping your household safer.
Carbon Monoxide Concerns
One significant concern is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless gas that is highly toxic. If a damper isn’t opening properly, combustion gases, like carbon monoxide, can be trapped and circulate back into your living space instead of being safely vented outside.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to unconsciousness and death – it’s not something to mess around with. Smoke and other particulates can also build up or be pushed back into the house, aggravating respiratory issues and diminishing indoor air quality.
Chimney Fires
A damper that’s stuck closed (or not open wide enough) can cause incomplete combustion. Remember, fires need oxygen to thrive. The poor burning that results from incomplete combustions can lead to build-up of combustible creosote, soot, and gases within the chimney. If these ignite, you’ll have a chimney fire on your hands.
Structural Damage
There’s also the danger of structural damage if a broken damper is left unchecked. Moisture can enter the system and cause damage to your fireplace or chimney, or buildup could occur around a faulty damage and cause the surrounding areas of your chimney to suffer, as a result
Don’t stay stuck with a poorly functioning damper. It’s an issue that can cause a wide range of problems related to the efficiency and enjoyment of your fireplace, some of which are very serious safety issues. Instead, reach out to our chimney system experts. In one call, we can get the ball rolling on a solution that will restore the functionality and safety of your fireplace system.
-Sandra G.
Book With Us Today
Keep your chimney and fireplace running safer and more efficiently – book with our team of experts today. We’ll treat you right!
We’re proud to have such an expansive service area. Menomonee Falls is another great city we’re happy to travel to!