How do I close my fireplace? Cold air gets in! - GoFuckYourself.com

bausch · 02-23-2007, 12:24 AM

There's a black lever, how do I close it so that cold air doesn't get in? Are you supposed to push the lever back to close it, or do you pull it sideways?

Here is a pic... Do I push it back or sideways? I'm in a new place and not used to fireplace so I really have no idea about these things. I tried doing it both ways and it won't budge. Which way is the correct way???

AlexN · 02-23-2007, 12:40 AM

Start a fire so cold air doesn't get in

ztik · 02-23-2007, 12:42 AM

Before gas was invented we used to have a chain one that you would pull down

reptile · 02-23-2007, 12:52 AM

hhmmm..maybe you should ask the elders..

thumbsdepot · 02-23-2007, 12:53 AM

Have you tried pushing straight up. Also just look up at it and figure how it works and go from there.

tony286 · 02-23-2007, 12:54 AM

you have to close that up there while closing it and you should be able to see

Marleys88 · 02-23-2007, 12:59 AM

we have a fireplace were the wood never burns out :P

bausch · 02-23-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptile

hhmmm..maybe you should ask the elders..

Elders? This is my own place. I've never had a fireplace before so how would I know how to close it? I'm not really into home/house maintenance stuff so I'm not too knowledgeable about these issues.

It's an electric fireplace btw. I only used it once for the novelty factor.

bausch · 02-23-2007, 01:09 AM

I also asked a friend and he couldn't figure it out either. I tried pushing it up and I don't think it can go up.

I guess I have no choice but to call the maintenance man tomorrow.

Phil21 · 02-23-2007, 03:50 AM

all fireplaces will leak a considerable amount of air (generally you won't notice, as the hot air goes OUT of them!)

Invest in something like http://www.amazon.com/Fireplace-Chim.../dp/B0001HA8MC and I bet it returns your investment in the first year or so (if you have harsh winters where you live)

bausch · 02-23-2007, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil21

all fireplaces will leak a considerable amount of air (generally you won't notice, as the hot air goes OUT of them!)

Invest in something like http://www.amazon.com/Fireplace-Chim.../dp/B0001HA8MC and I bet it returns your investment in the first year or so (if you have harsh winters where you live)

Thanks, I think the black lever that I have (from the pic I posted) is a damper though, I think I'm not strong enough to push it in enough so it will close completely. I'll have to call maintenance.

I don't have really harsh winters, I'm in So Cal, but it's been freezing here lately. I'm spoiled by the warm weather so EVERYTHING is cold to me, I think 70 degrees F is pretty cold already so I don't like cold air leaking out.

I've been at this place for a few months and at first it was REALLY cold even though I kept turning the heat way up. I couldn't figure out why and thought perhaps it wasn't well insulated or that the windows weren't sealed right. It never even DAWNED on me that it could be the fireplace, until one day I was close to it and just felt a cold draft coming from it, and a light bulb went off in my head. I put my hand under there and I could totally feel the cold air coming in. I live in an apartment though and there's two levels of floors above me so I'm not sure how the "damper" thing works in that case when there's people above you....

I'm just stupid and never used a fireplace so I wasn't even aware they had "dampers" and how you go about closing them...

The Other Sweetie · 02-23-2007, 05:25 AM

It depends on the fireplace. My old one had a chain that pulled up and down to close the damper (but it still let in considerable amounts of cold air). The one I have now looks like yours and my lever turns left and right - left to close, right to open.

E$_manager · 02-23-2007, 07:29 AM

i am having the same situation that is why i'll change the house soon.

RyanL · 02-23-2007, 07:39 AM

Once you get it closed, don't forget to open it again befor starting a fire or you'll probably get a chimeny fire and possibly burn your place down

Agent 488 · 02-23-2007, 09:35 AM

with a burglar.

Sex Date Cash Travis · 02-23-2007, 10:52 AM

There should be a handle right under the flue... The pipe that goes up. You will get a little dirty because you have to kind of get in the fire place to see it. It is just a piece of metal like your heating vents to open and close them. Unless it is really old or really new.

Sex Date Cash Travis · 02-23-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sex Date Cash Travis

There should be a handle right under the flue... The pipe that goes up. You will get a little dirty because you have to kind of get in the fire place to see it. It is just a piece of metal like your heating vents to open and close them. Unless it is really old or really new.

Just realized you said electric, EVERYTHING I said might be different.

02-23-2007, 12:24 AM	#1
bausch Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,017	How do I close my fireplace? Cold air gets in! There's a black lever, how do I close it so that cold air doesn't get in? Are you supposed to push the lever back to close it, or do you pull it sideways? Here is a pic... Do I push it back or sideways? I'm in a new place and not used to fireplace so I really have no idea about these things. I tried doing it both ways and it won't budge. Which way is the correct way???

02-23-2007, 12:42 AM	#3
ztik Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Nomad Posts: 5,196	Before gas was invented we used to have a chain one that you would pull down __________________ .

02-23-2007, 12:53 AM	#5
thumbsdepot Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 778	Have you tried pushing straight up. Also just look up at it and figure how it works and go from there. __________________

02-23-2007, 03:50 AM	#10
Phil21 Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ICQ: 25285313 Posts: 993	all fireplaces will leak a considerable amount of air (generally you won't notice, as the hot air goes OUT of them!) Invest in something like http://www.amazon.com/Fireplace-Chim.../dp/B0001HA8MC and I bet it returns your investment in the first year or so (if you have harsh winters where you live) __________________ Quality affordable hosting.

02-23-2007, 07:29 AM	#13
E$_manager Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: pink adult dreams Posts: 13,557	i am having the same situation that is why i'll change the house soon. __________________ Enjoy more sales with EnjoyBucks! Homemade: Asian : Ebony : GFs : Voyeur : Nudist : Public : 3D

02-23-2007, 12:40 AM	#2
AlexN Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 203	Start a fire so cold air doesn't get in

02-23-2007, 12:52 AM	#4
reptile Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In Your Head! Posts: 79	hhmmm..maybe you should ask the elders..

02-23-2007, 12:54 AM	#6
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	you have to close that up there while closing it and you should be able to see

02-23-2007, 12:59 AM	#7
Marleys88 Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 153	we have a fireplace were the wood never burns out :P

02-23-2007, 01:09 AM	#9
bausch Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,017	I also asked a friend and he couldn't figure it out either. I tried pushing it up and I don't think it can go up. I guess I have no choice but to call the maintenance man tomorrow.

02-23-2007, 05:25 AM	#12
The Other Sweetie Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: East Coast Posts: 453	It depends on the fireplace. My old one had a chain that pulled up and down to close the damper (but it still let in considerable amounts of cold air). The one I have now looks like yours and my lever turns left and right - left to close, right to open.

02-23-2007, 07:39 AM	#14
RyanL Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,145	Once you get it closed, don't forget to open it again befor starting a fire or you'll probably get a chimeny fire and possibly burn your place down __________________ ICQ: #126013016 :: Amateur Index

02-23-2007, 09:35 AM	#15
Agent 488 Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 22,511	with a burglar.

02-23-2007, 10:52 AM	#16
Sex Date Cash Travis Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 240	There should be a handle right under the flue... The pipe that goes up. You will get a little dirty because you have to kind of get in the fire place to see it. It is just a piece of metal like your heating vents to open and close them. Unless it is really old or really new. __________________ $$$$$$$ SexDateCash.com $$$$$$$ We Don't Fuck Around and We Can Prove it. $50 Per Join! From the first JOIN! Hit me up! Affiliate Manager [email protected] ICQ: 705354