Why do you need a chimney damper - what is a damper, types, installation rules. Installing a valve in a brick kiln

Why do you need a valve?

Using a damper allows you to close the chimney channel after using the stove.
The holes in this device prevent complete blockage of the cross-section of the smoke exhaust channel. It is worth remembering that the closed position of such a valve indicates that the chimney is not in use, and the open position means the start of the firebox. The draft in the chimney is a very important indicator that determines not only the efficiency of removing combustion products from the chimney, but also the efficiency of the heating system as a whole. Therefore, traction control, carried out using a slide element, is very important. If the level of thrust in the system exceeds the permissible parameters, it is necessary to adjust the position of the gate element. This valve regulates draft by decreasing or increasing the cross-sectional area of the smoke exhaust channel.

In addition, the gate elements perform another important function, which is to regulate the combustion of products in the heating device. The intensity of combustion is controlled due to the fact that such an element regulates the movement of air flow within the system. It is worth noting that gate products cannot be installed if heating raw materials are processed in the device due to supply air flows.

The most durable and easiest to maintain are stainless or galvanized valves.

As a rule, such products are made of stainless steel, which has good strength characteristics. Stainless steel is resistant to destructive corrosive effects, and is also resistant to active chemical compounds formed inside the chimney. The thickness of the gate varies from 0.5 to 1 mm. The gates have high thermal stability and can withstand temperatures up to 900 degrees Celsius.

Helpful information! It is recommended to select dampers with a polished surface. A polished damper is easier to use and easier to clean from soot.

The damper has rolling seams and is capable of covering a fairly large area of the smoke exhaust channel (up to 85 percent). Such characteristics have made this product very popular among consumers.

Technical characteristics of the gate

For the manufacture of gate valves for stoves and fireplaces, stainless steel is most often used - steel that is least susceptible to corrosion processes. The thickness of the metal should be one millimeter.

The surface of the part is ground to an absolute smoothness, which has no defects, so that it can be easily cleaned from dirt and soot deposits that accumulate over time. This circumstance contributes to the appearance of good draft in the chimney pipe, since there is no resistance to the exit of gas particles.

The damper for the unit can withstand high temperatures - up to 1000 degrees. Due to the fact that the part is made of stainless steel, carbon monoxide is better removed from the ventilation or chimney. The shiber is not at risk from temperature changes.

Kinds

Despite the simplicity of the design, there are different valves. The design, material and dimensions of furnace valves play a role.

By design

Retractable. This type of plug is the most convenient. It is a chimney nozzle with a retractable plate in the middle. It is this plate that moves freely in the grooves of the chimney. This type of damper is most often used in brick stoves. But it can be installed on others. This design is easy to install and does not require installation costs.
This valve is used in brick kilns
A rotary (throttle) gate is a type of valve where a guide is welded in the center to a metal plate. The end of this guide is on the outside and makes it possible to control the damper. By rotating the same plate along the axis, you adjust the draft in the furnace. The design is not as reliable as in the case of a retractable gate, but it has the right to life. Butterfly dampers are mainly used for steel chimneys. The rotary valve is slightly inferior to the sliding valve, but is also confidently popular.

By material

The material from which the gate is made is also very important. Each has its own nuances. There are cast iron and steel plugs.

Cast iron provides an incredibly durable and stable appliance. It is common for furnace valves. The only significant drawback is its impressive weight. Thus, installing the valve in the furnace can become a problematic part and the installation will take more time.
Stainless steel is lightweight, but also durable. She is not afraid of corrosion. With high-quality polishing it can last for a very long time. Just clean it, under the same conditions. Steel dampers are made of absolutely any design and are used for different types of stoves. Stainless steel began to be used quite recently, like cast iron. Maybe there is some modernity and perspective in this. Which one is up to you to decide. The main thing is to understand what is best for your stove.

Principle of use

In order to reduce the draft, you need to close the damper a little. If, on the contrary, you want to increase traction, you need to open the gate. The principle of use is extremely simple.

The main thing is to choose the right device for your stove and learn how to use it (even though it is very simple). An important nuance is that when the furnace is idle for a long time, you must keep the damper closed to avoid foreign elements getting in there.

The damper also separates the insulated part of the chimney from the non-insulated part. The gate is usually installed at the beginning of the pipe. At the end where the pipes are well insulated, installing a valve is not recommended.

What functions of the damper have we derived?

With its help, traction is adjusted.
It protects the chimney from temperature changes.

Design of a furnace valve and its installation in a pipe

A stove valve is an integral part of any stove, the role of which is to regulate the draft in the chimney when the stove is already flooded and at the end of the fire in order to disconnect the stove from the chimney, as well as to switch the chimneys in combined stoves. The product consists of a frame and a slider. It performs its function by moving the slider in the grooves of the frame, as a result of which the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the chimney changes. This leads to a decrease or increase in vacuum.

In order to close the pipe as tightly as possible after flooding, it is recommended to install two valves, one on top of the other.

Furnace valve design

The furnace valve is a structure consisting of three parts:

Cast iron body - frame (sometimes steel is used instead of cast iron) with side grooves.
The locking part is in the form of a panel damper, thanks to the movement along the grooves of which the sealing of the chimney is controlled.
The control part on the panel damper is in the form of a handle. This makes it easy to operate the panel damper manually.

The shape of the valve must completely coincide with the shape of the chimney; according to this parameter, they can be rectangular, square, or round.

A few words about rectangular valves

A rectangular valve can be of various sizes from small to very large, when the length of the valve reaches up to 600 mm. Large options are usually suitable for Russian stove chimneys, fireplaces, barbecues, etc. The purpose of the design is the same - to block the flow in the air ducts.

The smallest furnace valve has dimensions of 13x13 cm, and the largest is determined according to the individual requirements of the consumer. The most popular size for these structures is 26x13 cm, since these are the dimensions of the chimney of an ordinary Russian stove.

Thanks to square or rectangular stove valves, you can not only stop the air exchange in the pipe, but also adjust the intensity of the fire by changing the chimney draft and throughput. For this purpose, simply close the damper not completely, and then gradually pull the handle towards you, thereby controlling uniform combustion in the firebox.

Round furnace valve or view

A round-shaped stove valve is otherwise called a view. This is a special valve with a slightly different design than the regular version.

The view consists of the following parts:

The housing is in the form of a plate, which can be round or square with a round hole.
A shut-off element in the form of a disk that closes the hole and blocks air exchange in the pipe.
The control part, in the form of a regular handle in the center of the disc valve.

You cannot use a view to control air exchange, since you need to remove the damper from the air passage manually, which is almost impossible in a heated stove, in addition to exhaust gases. The design is used exclusively as a locking element, often as an additional damper for a complete result before igniting the stove and after it goes out.

It is recommended to install both types of cast iron stove valves far from the firebox.

How to close a furnace valve, operating rules

The operation of the furnace valve itself is quite simple, but it is definitely associated with some risks that threaten human health. If you close the structure in a stove that is still burning or if the fuel is not completely burned, then exhaust products can enter the room, poisoning the air.

Therefore, the use of a valve, which allows you to save heat in the furnace for longer, should be used extremely wisely, that is, the structure should be closed on time. It is known that due to the cast iron valve, the heat in the stove and, accordingly, in the room remains for a long time. The use of fuel such as coal increases the temperature inside the furnace by approximately 60-700C.

Sometimes, in order to save fuel, the valve is closed earlier, before it is completely burned, which is extremely undesirable. After all, human health and life are higher than any savings. Closing the damper earlier than necessary increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a combustion product that is poisonous. Therefore, to avoid such situations, you need to use the chimney valve correctly, following some rules:

Before closing, be sure to stir the coals to avoid the presence of completely unburnt pieces.
During the initial attenuation of the coal, when the blue flame is no longer visible on the surface, the damper should be slightly closed, but it is not recommended to close it completely. After all, the presence of coals does not mean that they are completely burned out. If there is a need to seal the pipe, this should be done after complete combustion of the coals.
Next, you need to open the ashpit so that a draft is formed, and the remaining coals are completely turned into ash and ash.

The need for valves and views in the chimney

The damper is an integral part of the stove, which closes the chimney after it is fired. In combined stoves, such as cooking and heating stoves, this design allows you to move between smoke exhaust channels.

The damper is usually installed in the chimney when laying the stove, secured with several rows of bricks. Often two valves are installed, especially in rooms in cold climates, when temperature changes are more significant, which leads to rapid heat exchange.

The view is installed in the chimney in the same way, but is usually used in Russian stoves. This valve is closed from the outside using a special door. If it is necessary to ventilate and cool the oven, all this can be done with the view door closed.

The design of the stove view makes it possible to eliminate the installation of an additional valve, because it completely copes with sealing the smoke exhaust pipe. When using the second valve, it is installed below the view.

How to install a valve on a chimney

The valve is usually installed during the construction and assembly of the stove. The process is carried out in several stages:

Laying bricks around the fittings in a selected location at a certain stage of chimney construction. In this case, the dimensions of the hole left must completely coincide with the dimensions of the valve. Often, wire is installed in the corners of the body, mounting it into the body of the masonry.
Installation of the valve frame with fixation of the upper part using cement mortar.
Applying cement mortar around the perimeter of the frame and wire about 1 cm thick, followed by laying a row of bricks.
Installing a damper in the chimney.

A conventional cast-iron stove valve is locked with a panel damper, which is mounted in the frame body through a slot. It can be installed after mounting the frame. The damper on the view is closed manually, so a special door needs to be installed above the body of this design, with which you can control the lid.

After this, installation of the chimney continues accordingly.

Summer flap and its meaning

Often in stoves there is such an element as a summer damper, which has a specific purpose. The summer damper is used in fireplaces or Russian stoves, which are heated irregularly or periodically at long intervals. For example, in stoves in a country house or village house, when it is heated only in the summer season.

The summer valve has some design features and a special location, which makes the combustion process much easier after prolonged cooling, even in the most severe weather conditions.

The operation of this design is carried out in this way: The stove must be lit with the summer valve open, then, when the flame in the firebox flares up and some of the firewood has completely burned out, the valve must be closed to prevent heat loss.

Stoves with a summer damper installed in them have a number of advantages, for example, by pulling out the summer damper and ash pan, you can use the stove at any time of the year as a classic open fireplace. With the help of a damper you can easily get rid of excess heat in the room. However, it should be remembered that it is recommended to heat such a stove for no more than 20 minutes, since the temperature can rise significantly, which is a feature of such fireplaces.

Functions, purpose and characteristics

The damper is a partition that is located inside the chimney. It follows the shape and area of its cross-section and, when closed, almost completely covers it. Changing the position of the damper allows you to increase or decrease the opening of the chimney pipe, increasing or decreasing the air flow. Using the damper, you can stop the movement of air after lighting the stove.

The gate valve is a thin metal plate that is manually adjusted using a special handle. The latter is located outside the chimney pipe so that the user can manually adjust the position of the plate.

Depending on the design and type of damper, it is installed using a special metal frame, or is inserted inside the pipe and fixed with an axial rod.

Important! Do not assume that the valve completely seals the pipe in the “closed” position. According to fire safety requirements, the damper must have a small hole through which weak gas exchange occurs.

The damper in the chimney performs the following functions:

increases traction force in difficult weather conditions;
increases the intensity of combustion in the furnace due to increased oxygen flow;
reduces draft when there is a strong hum in the chimney during strong winds;
saves fuel by reducing combustion intensity;
prevents heat loss after the heater has warmed up.

Very important! You can close the chimney with a damper only after the wood has completely burned and the flame has gone out. If you close the damper prematurely, this can lead to a dangerous situation due to the release of large amounts of carbon monoxide into the room. If the damper is closed too late, the efficiency of the furnace will be reduced, because Most of the heat will go out through the chimney.

Advantages of gate valves

Gate valves, which make up a significant part of the range of many manufacturers of pipeline fittings, have a number of advantages, the most significant of which are given below in the form of short abstracts.

Gate valves have a short overall length, for example, compared to cranes.
The design of a gate valve is relatively simple, which, on the one hand, determines its ease of installation (for example, the possibility of replacement without cutting into a pipeline) and ease of operation, and on the other hand, reliability.
Reliability indicators largely depend on the parameters of the working environment ─ its aggressiveness, temperature, concentration of mechanical impurities.
Gate valves are unpretentious and not capricious equipment; their maintenance and repair do not require very highly qualified personnel.
Gate valves from the best manufacturers, who use high-quality components and modern materials in their manufacture, have such important properties as durability, resistance to wear and exposure to aggressive environments.
The service life of gate valves can be measured at three or more decades, determined by the service life of the body. For other components it is smaller, but also very impressive. For example, for rubber products - at least 5 years. The same is the average service life between major repairs of a gate valve.
The absence of stagnant zones and the ability to self-clean allow you not to think about slag and dirt.
An important parameter is the minimum hydraulic resistance of the medium. For example, gate valves manufactured by ARMATEK have a coefficient of hydraulic resistance of no more than 0.3 when the blade is fully open.
Gate valves have unique technical capabilities, including fast operation and high tightness. Including tightness of the highest class A according to GOST R 54808-2011. Pipeline fittings. Standards for tightness of valves."

Technical parameters and a wide range of functionality ─ a range of sizes, pressures and temperatures that meet all needs ─ make gate valves truly universal pipeline fittings, in demand in a wide variety of technology areas.

Which material is stronger

In addition to structural differences, gate valves differ based on the material used at the manufacturing stage. The only available solution is stainless steel. This is due to the fact that it does not deform under the influence of high temperatures, and also retains its original appearance and characteristics even after several years of active use.

Valves in stainless steel gate valves from the manufacturer Ferrum are fixed using argon welding on a rod 8 millimeters long. The presence of a reinforced spring ensures the design's reliability and durability.

DIY chimney damper installation

You can install a damper for a fireplace or heating unit in one of three ways:

The damper is installed directly in the fireplace insert. It is placed at a distance of 100 centimeters from the heating device, which makes it easy to control.
Combining the damper with other elements of the heating structure without the use of additional fasteners. This installation method is called “pipe to pipe”.
The damper is installed in ventilation pipes. It is used to prevent the fan motor from overheating during operation.

Installation must be carried out in the closed position of the gate to prevent excess load on the engine.

Since there are a variety of models of stove units and fireplaces and heating using them is carried out in different ways, each of them requires its own type of valve.

For example, for a stove operating on gas, you will need a classic rotary-type throttle valve or a rotary automatic damper, since they are capable of blocking the chimney pipe completely and then the flame will not be able to escape outside.

At the same time, rotary valves should not be installed when installing a sauna stove, since when closed they will allow steam to pass through, and in the open position they are very difficult to clean.

As a rule, a damper for a fireplace or stove unit is sold as a complete set along with a chimney. But there are smoke exhaust structures without a damper, so you can make one yourself by buying elements for it at a hardware store. The main thing to do before purchasing them is to decide on the required sizes.

It is better to buy valves made from stainless steel. The main part of the gate installation is the shell. The gate contains several shells.

Functional purpose of the gate

To understand the purpose of this part for the chimney structure, you need to understand what a damper in a stove is. The damper provides a change in the traction force in the unit by adjusting the combustion of fuel in the firebox.

This element has an important advantage - it has low resistance relative to the remaining gas bubbles, which must be removed outside the room. When the chimney is inoperative, then the damper is completely closed.

The gate has a significant drawback - sometimes its welding burns out. This problem occurs quite often - its cause is usually a neglectful attitude towards the quality of this product on the part of manufacturing companies.

How to make a gate valve with your own hands

Let's look at how to make both types of chimney valves - retractable and rotary. Each of them has its own manufacturing and installation nuances. Let's start with the retractable view.

Preparation of materials and tools

To create the simplest model of a retractable gate, galvanized steel is suitable. It is lightweight, thanks to its smooth surface it is easy to clean from soot, and if necessary, the moving part can be easily replaced.

Millimeter steel will not work, as it bends easily, and if deformed, it will be difficult to slide the plate into the chimney. The minimum sheet thickness is 1.5 mm, and preferably 2-2.5 mm

The main tools are a welding machine, electrodes, a grinder, metal scissors (choose depending on the thickness of the sheet), a drill with a grinding disc, metal drills, and a file. It is better to carry out work on a workbench with a vice. Among other things, you will need a sheet of paper for a template, a tape measure, and a marker.

Drawing up a diagram (drawing)

Removing dimensions must be taken seriously, since even a few millimeters can cause the chimney to malfunction. To find out the dimensions of the frame, you should use a tape measure to measure the cross-section of the smoke exhaust duct - it will coincide with the dimensions of the inside of the frame. To this value you should add 20-30 mm on three sides and calculate the outer side of the frame.

Drawing of a damper with a wire frame. A wire frame is more difficult to secure to brickwork than a profile with flat wide sides

In order for the latch to slide out easily, without effort, its width should be slightly narrower than the width of the frame (taking into account the outer sides). To simplify the calculations, it is necessary to draw a design diagram and indicate all possible dimensions, so that in the future, when working with metal, you can navigate by them.

For metal pipes, a flat damper design is usually combined with a chimney fragment located perpendicularly.

Design dimensions for a rectangular pipe. The valve must completely block the chimney, but at the same time have small holes for air penetration, drilled with a drill, or a gap

For brick chimneys, a flat frame made of wire or profile with a valve moving along guides (two parallel sides) is sufficient.

Marking and cutting out parts

Having determined the exact dimensions, we cut out the frame for the gate. If the chimney is small (for example, in a bathhouse or in a summer kitchen), you can use thick wire, bending it in the shape of the letter P.

A more comprehensive frame is a durable corner profile. To make it, we cut out a strip from sheet steel and bend it lengthwise at an angle of 90º. To give the profile the desired shape, in the places where the corners are marked, we cut one of the planes. When folded, we get a frame. We weld the bends.

Next, we cut out the damper itself. It should be approximately 5-10 mm narrower than the width of the frame. We adjust the length so that when closed, only a small fragment of the valve peeks out. It can be decorated in different ways: in the form of an ear with a hole or simply a folded edge.

We clean the edges of the cut gate with a disc so that the closing/opening process is easy and silent. Parts cannot be painted.

Gate valve installation steps

The photo shows the stages of installing a factory-made gate. A homemade device is mounted using the same principle.

In accordance with the diagram of the furnace, we determine the installation location of the gate valve and mark the bricks that need to be trimmed

We take out the bricks that serve as the basis for installing the damper and cut them to the size of the gate frame with a grinder

To fix the valve we use masonry mortar. We apply it to the installation site, and then to the edges of the frame from above Step 1 - determining the installation location Step 2 - cutting the bricks around the perimeter of the hole Step 3 - placing the gate on the mortar Step 4 - brickwork above the gate

The installation height of the damper largely depends on the design of the stove; in sauna stoves it is lower, in home heating stoves it is higher. The minimum height is 0.9-1 m from the floor, the maximum is about 2 m.

Is a valve needed in a sauna stove?

Definitely needed. Good draft in the bathhouse is the key to successful construction of the stove. According to experts, it all depends on the design of the sauna stove. If there is a chimney, then there is no doubt about the need for a damper.

The oven damper is used in all types of ovens. The principle of their operation is a little similar, so you shouldn’t bother. A gate is definitely needed. If combustion is only carried out thanks to the supply air, the valve is not installed. The gate will help you save on fuel, getting the most out of every run. The fuel will not be wasted.

How to install?

How to properly install a valve on a stove and how to install a valve on a chimney? It's simple, let's consider 2 cases.

Installing the damper in the furnace

When installing the damper in the furnace, you need to take into account that this is done during brick laying. It is placed at the beginning of the pipe, about a meter from the surface of the furnace itself. The frame fits tightly into the chimney structure, and the damper is installed after.

Installing a valve in a furnace can be done in three steps:

Reach the 6th row of brick laying.
Apply the solution in the desired location and carefully install the frame there. Sometimes you need to cut grooves in the brick for convenience and easier retraction.
Align the frame so that it lines up with the bricks. Then you can continue laying bricks.

All cracks that may form when installing the plug must be sealed with mortar. Otherwise, there will be loss of thrust and combustion.

Video instruction:

Pipe installation

The damper is also installed at a height of 1 meter from the firebox. It is important that this is the uninsulated part of the pipe. Then there will be no temperature difference when the valve operates.

Installation on the pipe is also simple. First, the first part of the pipe is attached. The joints are lubricated with sealant (temperature-resistant). A gate is tightly placed on top of the structure (the first nozzle). The second part of the pipe is attached to the gate on top. This entire structure is connected to an insulated chimney.

Thus, there is no need to further secure the structure.

It is worth saying that homemade gates can be attached to the pipe a little differently. This already depends on the design. An example of installation of a homemade rotary gate, we reviewed the manufacturing instructions above:

We make a mark on the chimney pipe.
Let's try on our preparation.
We insert the gate into the pipe and screw it into the structure with a thread.

Making a rotary gate yourself

Damper installation option
When using a chimney, it may be necessary to replace the damper, and a standard damper is not suitable for this design. In this case, the damper is made independently according to the dimensions of the pipe.

To work you will need metal scissors, a drill, a grinder and a welding machine.

A frame for the damper is welded from steel corners with a flange size of 35–45 mm. The size of the parts corresponds to the diameter of the pipe.
Holes are drilled in the frame to secure the axle. For a gate with straight rotation, they are located in the horizontal plane, and for an angular one, they are located diagonally.
Bushings are welded from two sections of half-inch pipe, which ensure rotation of the axis.
The damper is cut to the size of the frame; the material is a steel sheet 2–3 mm thick.
An axis on which the damper will be mounted is inserted into the holes in the frame. The second part of the metal piece will become the adjustment knob.
The plate is inserted into the frame and fixed to the axis by welding.
For safe use, there must be a 1mm gap between the flap and the frame.
To ensure the plate is fixed in the open state, a limiter is installed.

Drawing of a rotary gate valve

Note! The choice of damper model depends on the design of the chimney and the type of heating system, but its installation is mandatory. The device allows you to regulate the draft level and keep the heating system in working condition.

Difference in models depending on material

Various materials can be used for the production of chimney valves: cast iron and steel. They have shown the most reliable performance characteristics, allowing them to be resistant to high temperatures.

Cast iron

Quite durable and long service life. Disadvantages:

heavy weight, which increases the load on the structure;
difficulties encountered during installation;
in case of use in wet conditions - poor corrosion resistance.

Used in chimneys made of brick base.

Stainless steel

A device made from this material belongs to the universal category. Excellent for installation in stoves, fireplaces and chimneys made of brick (pre-lined with a stainless steel pipe) or metal.

Steel structures have a simpler appearance, but are not much inferior to cast iron in properties. Their significant advantage is their light weight, which reduces the load. In addition, they are mounted on all kinds of chimneys (rectangular and oval, heavy, made of brick, etc.). When choosing a damper for a furnace, you will need to take into account not only the operational properties, but also the overall interior of the room.

Varieties

Gate valves come in sliding and rotary types. The first works due to the perpendicular movement of the partition. The second type involves a rotating mechanism located inside the chimney.

Retractable

This type of gate is a comfortable and effective way to control traction. Its main difference is its long service life, which is achieved by the absence of temporary wear at the attachment points. Due to this, it is possible to maintain the high quality of the damper even in bad weather conditions.

Turning

The principle of its operation is based on the rotation of the partition about its axis. If you turn it counterclockwise, the damper will close the air flow. If the turn occurs in the opposite direction, then there will be no obstacles in the way of air. To regulate this process, you need to operate a special knob.

In addition, the gate differs in the type of material:

Cast iron is strong and durable. Typically used in brick chimneys.
Steel - made of stainless steel, is a universal option for installation in fireplaces, stoves and chimneys.