What is a chimney damper and how is it used?

Main functions and characteristics of gate valve

For the heating system to function properly, good draft is necessary.
The gate valve is the main element of the chimney design with which you can regulate the movement of flue gases through the pipe. With a good level of thrust, 100% fuel combustion occurs. Lack of natural ventilation in the chimney can cause smoke in the room or fire. Therefore, a slide damper installed on top of the chimney ensures safe use of the entire heating system. Installation of such a device is carried out when heating with solid fuel or gas.

Traction adjustment is carried out using this method:

• increase – open gate valve;
• reduction – closed damper.

When the stove or fireplace stops operating, the damper closes completely. Install such a device at the beginning of the chimney. To ensure free operation of the valve, it is installed on an uninsulated section of pipe.

Different types of chimney valves

Slide dampers perform three main functions in the chimney system:

• traction level control;
• adjustment of combustion intensity;
• covering the chimney outlet.

The installation of dampers on the chimney is carried out only if the combustion process is carried out without the supply of supply air masses.

The design of gate valves depends on various indicators:

• pipe cross-section value;
• the temperature value of the flows passing through the chimney channel;
• type of heating device and outlet structure.

Gate valves are mainly made of stainless steel. This steel does not corrode and is highly durable. Stainless steel chimney dampers are resistant to chemical active formations inside the pipe and can withstand high temperatures - nine hundred degrees. They are produced with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 millimeter.

Stainless steel chimney valve

Sometimes dampers are used on chimney pipes made of cast iron alloy. The main quality of such a gate is strength and durability. But still, the material is inferior to stainless steel - due to their heavy weight, cast iron valves are installed only on brick chimneys.

When making a damper, the plate covering the chimney channel is carefully polished. The smooth surface of the product allows you to easily clean it from accumulated soot.

Types of gate construction

A special horizontal plate that increases or decreases the cross-section of the chimney pipe by its position is a retractable damper. It is by decreasing or increasing the cross-section of the chimney that the draft force is regulated. According to fire safety rules, the chimney should not be completely sealed, so there must be a small hole in this plate. As a rule, a horizontal damper is intended for brick stoves, although sometimes it is also installed in steel chimneys.

A double-walled or rotary gate is a plate mounted along an axis. The position of such a gate is adjusted by turning. The only, but serious, drawback of the rotary gate is that its welding often burns out, and this rather unpleasant phenomenon is observed more and more often. This is most likely explained by the dishonest attitude of some manufacturers towards the quality of their products.

These two types of gates have fundamental differences in their design. A horizontal damper for a bath, or a damper for a chimney, makes it possible to regulate the flow area of ​​the chimney. And the throttle, or “hog”, of the rotary damper only allows you to completely open or close the chimney, but not to regulate the flow area of ​​the chimney. True, some bath attendants have gotten the hang of fixing the position of such a gate using a chain.

Features, characteristics and purpose of the gate

What is a gate valve? It is designed to control and regulate draft in the chimney system. From German, the word gate is translated as a part made of metal (the metal can be different). Any stove maker knows that good traction is the most important condition for the normal operation of the fuel system.

If there is not enough draft in the system, then oxygen, which is so important for combustion, does not get there. As a result, the process of ignition and combustion itself will be problematic. On the other hand, in the absence of draft, all the smoke will enter the room, which leads to negative consequences. But if the draft is good, and it is this that is provided by the rotary damper for the chimney, combustion will be effective:

• Firstly, it will be much easier to ignite the fuel.
• Secondly, the combustion process improves, the fuel burns quickly, bringing more and more heat into the room.
• Thirdly, smoke does not get inside, and the heating process is much better.

So, a gate valve allows you to improve draft and prevent negative consequences when burning solid fuel in a stove or fireplace. Experts advise installing this part when heating with any fuel, be it gas, coal or wood.

The gate valve itself is installed directly in the chimney. It is the main traction regulator, controlling the fuel combustion process. It should be clarified that too strong thrust is also not very acceptable, since the fuel will burn intensively and consumption will increase significantly. The valve works like this: to reduce the draft and reduce the intensity of combustion inside the firebox, you need to cover it. And if you need to increase traction, then the opposite action is performed. The process is performed mechanically with human participation.

A gate valve looks like a metal plate, thanks to which the chimney can be blocked or released. It is mounted for both single-wall and double-wall boiler systems.

Note! In the case when the fireplace and stove are not in use, it is necessary to close the gate valve for the entire period.

Typically, the chimney valve is installed near the stove, in the initial section of the chimney pipe. This is approximately 1 m from the stove. This way a person can easily reach it. In addition, this area is not insulated. Experts do not recommend installing the gate on an area that is well insulated. This is especially true for double-circuit pipes. Why? The thing is that under the influence of high temperature, the metal of the inner and outer pipes expands, and the valve itself often jams and does not protrude back.

To summarize, we can consider the main tasks that a gate valve performs:

1. Able to regulate the draft in the chimney, reducing or increasing it.
2. Partially covers the cross section of the chimney pipe.
3. The gate serves as a regulator of the flame burning intensity in the furnace.

Although the gate is small and inconspicuous, you simply cannot do without it. However, you need to understand that in the case when the combustion process in the furnace is carried out with supply air, then it is not necessary to install a gate valve.

Now regarding the material used to make the gate. Most often, stainless steel is used for this purpose, the thickness of which is no more than 1 mm. A gate valve made of this metal of this thickness will be capable of:

• withstand temperatures reaching as much as 900 degrees Celsius;
• the gate valve is resistant to corrosion;
• has a small coefficient of thermal expansion.

To make the operation of the part and the chimney itself as simple as possible, and to avoid problems with cleaning soot, you should choose a gate valve with a polished surface. The joining of seams is done using the rolling method.

The note! A regular damper can cover up to 85% of the chimney cross-section. This is the best option to effectively remove combustion products and ensure proper fuel combustion.

Gate for ventilation system

Dampers designed for ventilation consist of a damper in a metal pocket. These structures are used to block a section of the air duct from the network.

The standard damper for ventilation has a nipple connection. The longitudinal size of the product up to the nipple grooves can vary from 70 to 200 mm. If the installation is carried out on round air ducts of impressive diameters, then guide angles are additionally used, which ensure good movement of the damper. Round gate valves can be based on stainless, galvanized or black steel. The thickness does not exceed 1 mm.

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.

Operating principle of the gate mechanism

The mechanism includes:

• frame,
• gate,
• stand,
• sealing elements,
• stuffing box seal assembly.

The force by which the movement of the gate is regulated is transmitted through the rod.

Tightness is ensured by strong pressing of the gate element to the seals by the pressure of the moving medium. The design of the gates may include a retractable or non-retractable stem. Fixed stem is widely used when installing gate valves in confined spaces.

Frame

Gate valve bodies can be cylindrical or rectangular. They can be all-metal or prefabricated (for example, welded). The housings can be equipped with a removable bottom cover and a through gate. The housings are made of high-strength cast iron, non-ferrous metal or alloy steel.

The material from which the valve is made has a direct impact on its resistance to aggressive environments. Thus, cast iron elements are less resistant to the effects of:

• diesel fuel,
• motor oil,
• gasoline,
• industrial oil.

In order to reduce the cost of the valve and increase its resistance to aggressive environments, combined valves are used - the body is made of cast iron, and the gate is made of alloy steel. If cast iron is exposed to an aggressive environment, it is coated with epoxy resin for preservation purposes. In some cases, in aggressive environments, gate valves with bodies made of high-strength PVC are used.

Knife

It can be made from a thick rolled plate having sealing

parallel elements. The knife element has a through hole obtained by drilling. The diameter of the hole should be equal to the diameter of the pipe to which the gate is attached.

The gate element may have a pointed edge, which may be at an angle to the hole being closed or close it directly. This allows you to separate the elements of the gates:

• for knife
• and guillotine.

The sharpened element of the knife allows you to easily close holes through which a viscous or solid medium passes. The possibility of closing the pipeline opening as quickly as possible depends on the size of the sharpening.

High-strength alloy steel is used to make knives. The knife is polished, ensuring the easiest possible sliding along the sealing elements and the tightest possible connection to the edge of the seal or pipeline. High-quality polishing helps prevent braking or jamming when blocking flows of media containing a large number of solid inclusions.

Seals

Two types of seals can be used: metal, synthetic components.

1. In the petrochemical industry, nitrile rubber is used as a sealing material.
2. When working with oils and fuels at low temperatures, a sealant based on a rubber mixture and SKN is well suited.
3. Silicone-based sealants are widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

The seal ensures a tight seal on the top of the device. Its padding consists of cotton fiber, synthetic polymaterials, and graphite-containing material.

Types of connection to pipelines

The devices are attached to pipelines by:

• flanged,
• wafer,
• welding connection.

Strengthening the tightness of the gate with a wafer or flange connection is enhanced by means of special gaskets.

Purpose and types of these devices

The chimney valve, or, as it is also called, a damper, is designed to regulate the draft in the chimney. The operation is performed as follows. During combustion, the valve closes a certain section of the chimney channel. By reducing or, conversely, increasing the damper area, you can control the air flow in the chimney and, accordingly, the flame strength in the heating device and draft. After the combustion process stops, the valve closes so that air currents do not carry away heat from the room. However, even in this state, the damper should not completely block the chimney: this is contrary to safety standards. The systems must be installed on almost all types of heating devices except the latest models, where the draft is adjusted automatically using a deflector.

In their shape, chimney valves must very accurately reproduce the cross-section of the pipe. There are two different design options for gate valves:

Retractable. The simplest and most reliable design. Moves only in the horizontal direction. It is most often installed in steel or brick chimneys. It is a smooth plate with holes that easily moves in the guide grooves.

Rotary or throttle.

The device rotates around its axis, as a result of which it can open or close the smoke channel. Installed in cases where the retractable damper cannot be used for various reasons.

Retractable option. During the combustion process, the gate valve opens. The ability to regulate the overlap area of ​​the smoke channel allows you to adjust the draft. After the fire goes out, the damper closes

The throttle gate valve rotates around its axis, closing or, conversely, opening the smoke channel. Installed in cases where the use of a retractable damper is not possible

The required system option is selected based on the design features of the chimney. In addition to the type of device, the material also plays an important role. Most often used:

• Cast iron. It produces very strong, reliable and durable products. Traditionally used to make devices. The main disadvantage is their heavy weight, so such valves can only be installed on brick pipes.
• Stainless steel. Lightweight, durable and corrosion-resistant material. It does not affect the heat transfer of the heating device, therefore it allows you to achieve maximum efficiency of the stove. Steel gates are usually polished to provide a smooth surface that prevents soot from settling. Installed on any pipes.

How the gate works

Structurally, the gate is a locking device with an adjustable valve. It is thanks to the displacement of the valve that the movement of gases in the chimney is regulated. Can be installed in chimneys of round, square and rectangular cross-section. It is a metal plate that moves inside the smoke channel in a certain way.

Gate valves can be of two types:

• Retractable. Moves in one plane back and forth.
• Rotary. Regulates air access by rotating around its axis.

In addition, valves can be manual or equipped with an electric drive. The cost of the latter is an order of magnitude higher and they are not used in chimneys.

DIY installation

There are three installation methods:

1. The damper is installed in the fireplace insert itself. The gate valve is installed at a distance of one meter from the heating device, which makes it easy to control the gate valve.
2. The second way to install a slide damper is to combine it with other parts of the heating structure without the additional use of fasteners. This installation option is also called “pipe to pipe”.
3. The third way to install a damper is to install it in ventilation pipes. In this case, a gate valve is used to prevent the fan motor from overheating when it is turned on.

Please note: the installation procedure must be carried out with the gate installation closed, and not open, in order to avoid excess pressure on the engine.

These main three methods of installing a slide damper are constantly used in the construction of chimneys or ventilation.

For example, a stove with gas heating requires a classic butterfly valve (rotary damper) or sometimes an automatic rotary damper, since it completely blocks the chimney, thanks to which the flame will not come out.

But it is not recommended to install rotary dampers when building a sauna stove, because it will allow steam to pass through when closed, and when open, the rotary damper is very difficult to clean.

In most cases, the damper is sold together with the chimney as a complete set. But there are chimneys without it, so you can make a damper yourself by purchasing its components at various construction stores.

Please note: It is important to determine the required dimensions before purchasing. It is best to buy gate valves made of steel material

The main part of the gate installation is the shell. The gate consists of several shells.

What material is better to use a gate from?

Chimney valves are most often made of cast iron. True, the material is heavy, and then installing a cast iron gate is quite difficult. Yes, and it is only installed on brick kilns.

Steel gates are made 1 mm thick. What makes steel good is that it can withstand temperatures up to 900°C, has a special mechanical density and is resistant to corrosion. Also, the steel is smooth, and is even specially polished for this purpose to a shine, and therefore soot does not settle on such a gate and does not create a problem. And most importantly, it has sufficient thermal conductivity. This valve closes the chimney by 85%, and carbon monoxide is completely removed.

Tips for choosing a gate valve

It must be remembered that the correct selection of an element such as a slide damper is reflected in the future not only on the draft indicator, but also on the safety of the heating system, of which the chimney is a part. Installation of the damper is carried out on any model of fireplaces and stoves, except for the most modern ones, which have a deflector.

The main recommendations for choosing slide valves for smoke exhaust communications are as follows:

• If the heating device operates by processing gas, it is better to purchase a rotary valve model. This is due to the fact that such models exclude the possibility of completely blocking the smoke exhaust channel. Thus, the heating system will be safer. The chimney, which removes combustion products from the gas stove, must be closed by at least 40 percent during operation;
• There are heating systems that operate intermittently (periodic). A closed damper installed in such a heating structure, as a rule, allows steam to pass during supply, and an open damper contributes to the formation of a large amount of soot on the pipe, which is located below the plate;
• It is strictly not recommended to use rotating elements for installation in sauna chimneys.

A rotating device is the most suitable option for a gas-consuming system

There are 3 options for placing the damper relative to the chimney:

1. Placement in the firebox of a fireplace or stove;
2. Fastening according to the “pipe to pipe” principle;
3. Installation in a ventilation pipe.

Let's consider the first 2 options:

By placing the valve in the furnace firebox or in the outlet pipe

Applicable for metal chimneys. This installation option does not require additional fasteners. When purchasing a ready-made system, you should install the valve strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Adjusting the draft using a slider is quite simple. By changing the position towards increasing the gap, we increase the flow of air to the fire and the flame flares up stronger. Reduce the gap - traction decreases. The valve is closed after the flame has completely died out - this way the oven cools down much faster.

Why are there two valves in the furnace?

1. How to clean an oven without doors? Where exactly should I clean?

2. How to clean a hog? In which place?

3. How to use valves?

I have attached a photo of the stove and the hog.

oven 2157

disassemble the hog from above, well, that’s the place where “you can sit down”))) so on top there should usually be something like a “lid”

pecna 10 October 2014 12:02

There's definitely something like a cover, I'll take it apart and try to clean it

Well, as for the oven, it’s not clear from the photo, is the big door an oven?

pecna 10 October 2014 12:03 valerzon 9 October 2014 20:30

1. Damper on the left - ventilation of the space above the stove (serves mainly for ventilation when cooking “smelly” foods, such as fish.)

2. valve on the right - blocks the chimney of the stove.

3. valve on top (but I didn’t see it in the picture) - blocks the common smoke channel.

Typically, stove makers leave a cleaning channel in the form of a half-brick, protruding, and sometimes recessed into the body of the stove or smoke channel.

As a very adventurous option (I decline responsibility), the hog can be cleaned in rainy weather by burning soot on the wall. soot tends to burn actively. It burns with noise and roar, but when it burns out, the stove will be as good as new. In general, before such an undertaking, it is better to insure the house against fire (((

If there are no doors, then you can simply throw a burning torch into the pipe (from above). But again, this is a risky business. You can insert a blowtorch into the ventilation hole in the space above the stove and ignite the soot from the inside.

Personally, I would not clean the hog, but put one person with a fire extinguisher in the attic, a second person on the roof and ignite the soot.

And where are these stinking products being pulled out? Judging by the boletus, nowhere. I think these are additional moves, like some kind of dryer or an additional oven, which is on the back side of the oven. Well, when you bake a lot of bread or cookies of all kinds. I have seen such ovens on Ukraine.

valerzon 10 October 2014 18:48

Hog here is generally a leftist. It is officially believed that the hog is used for spark extinguishing. but here it’s just an extra soot-accumulating knee. Unnecessary element. absolutely.

revenant 10 October 2014 18:53

Actually, the hog was made here, probably in order to bring the pipe closer to the ridge.

valerzon 10 October 2014 20:51

This is an incorrect engineering decision - there is no need to drag the pipe closer to the ridge. If you don’t make a hog, then with a straight pipe the traction will be better and, in general, life will be easier)))

revenant 10 October 2014 20:57

So I'm not saying that this is correct. But for some reason, in almost all the old houses in our area, there are hogs stacked in the attics, which are in such a state that it’s unclear how all these houses haven’t burned down yet!

valerzon 10 October 2014 21:01

SBI. Here's the question! Why are they made??

You can live without a hog and live a wonderful life. It's really strange that everyone hasn't burned yet. pah-pah. I don't wish harm on anyone...

revenant 10 October 2014 21:05

Maybe it made sense to do them earlier so that the soot from a straight pipe would fall onto a smaller Russian pole and accumulate in the hog? Yes, and sediments quite easily fly into the pipe - a shesterik without a cap.

valerzon October 10, 2014 21:18

You know, it's much deeper than that. there is such intrigue here. both about the six and about the Russian one.

If someday I’m not too lazy, I’ll still write my theory of stoves. and their development. My opinion is that some people complicate things.

As one wise man said, it’s not that simple. but not everything is so complicated. there is a good solution..

I think that there were few stove makers as meticulous in their work as you. They just copied it for themselves, and it worked. Then they hired others to do it and off they went, but why it was and what it was for, no one thought about it. Some pulled the hog to the ridge. I made an extra ash pan, and who, everyone has it, and I will do it. And the victims of the fires and the burnt out are beyond counting. A stove is like a car, someone knows everything down to the bolt, and someone just steers and not always successfully. A stove is the same unit, pump, put the boiler on wheels, it’s already a steam locomotive (-_-)))) It’s strange, there were no steam locomotives yet, but Emelya has already ridden on the stove. So sometimes you’ll think about a new chronology. Yes, and Baba Yagya flew on a mortar, and Kashchei (the immortal) wasted away over the gold. In my opinion, nothing has changed since then, Kashchei, the immortal.

aldi55 9 October 2014 20:35

When you add firewood to the firebox, you need to close the ash vent from below so that smoke won’t come into your face; after closing the top door, you can open the ash vent.

That the stove did not smoke in the old days, when the wood caught fire, potato peelings were placed on them and the chimney was cleared of soot.

I hope I helped you.

pecna 10 October 2014 12:05

I will save up cleaning

ykrezo83 October 9, 2014 20:41

To clean the chimney of soot, you need to occasionally heat the stove with aspen.

sokserg October 9, 2014 22:36

You chop off the top bricks of the hog, and clean it with something like a broom, scoop out the soot, then put the bricks back on the clay solution, and cover the seams. business with the hog for an hour.

At the same time, check the condition of the hog. We have the same hog, or rather two, for two stoves, and after buying the house, I checked it, because the pipe was not covered from the rain with a cap, then water flowed into the pipe - as a result, the bricks turned to dust, and all the clay was washed out of the seams, I had to reposition them brick part of the pipe. judging by the blackness near the pipe, you also have water flowing through the pipe there - the cap is necessary for the job, and to prevent it from flowing down the pipe, seal the joint

But to clean the stove, you have to look for the bricks that are taken out, and manually... before the bath

But I would insulate the chambers. Clay with sawdust or straw. (-_-)))).

pecna 10 October 2014 12:06

and where to sleep there?

Yes, who knows what to call them, the floor is shorter in the attic. Well, if you are in the room, then the ceiling is like (-_-))))))

zinaida 10 October 2014 07:35

We had and still have such an oven.. now my sister has it.. but we always throw in beef or pork tubular bones and, in principle, we never cleaned it.. you just melt this oven and it’s immediately warm.. and you can bake anything..

pecna 10 October 2014 12:28

need to get some bones.

Berry 10 October 2014 11:43

I can assume that the lower damper is for ventilation above the stove, the upper right one is a direct channel, the left one is the main one, it closes the stove chimneys. When lighting, you need to close the valve above the stove, open both top ones or just the right one. If the firewood crackles and there is no smoke anywhere, leave only the left valve open. This is according to my logic. In reality, everything may turn out to be completely different. It is not difficult to clean the hog - disassemble the top row of bricks between the pipe from the hog and the pipe from the furnace. Whatever the design of your stove, chimneys usually start at the level of the base of the vent. In the photo there are 2 rows of bricks from the floor. At this height you can try to look for protruding halves of bricks for cleaning. Cleaning stoves on the “2nd floor” are more difficult to find, but one of them is always available in the area where the chimneys exit into the chimney. Somewhere between the slab ceiling and the top valves. Soot from the chimney falls into this last upper chimney and, usually, this is the most problematic place. Unfortunately, stoves are often found without cleaning holes at all. In this case, you can try to look for them by removing (breaking out) half a brick at a time in places where they might be located using a pick, chisel, chisel, etc.

pecna 10 October 2014 12:14

I closed the valve above the stove and the smell of smoke appeared. I don’t know where the smoke is coming from, but it is coming. and the firewood doesn't hum

I closed the right valve - smoke started coming out again and the firewood somehow went out

I closed the left one - there seemed to be no smoke, the wood was crackling as usual.

1. Always keep the left valve closed?

2. Why are these valves needed anyway?

In our previous house we had a furnace with one valve near the very top of the chimney. it had to be pushed in after the stove was completely heated and the ash was removed. With the valve closed, the stove remained warm for a very long time.

In the current furnace I just can’t figure out how to move these valves. I would also like the oven to cool down longer, otherwise now, of course, all the heat flies into the chimney

Berry 10 October 2014 13:45

Perhaps the valve above the stove is a direct valve and the stove, due to clogged channels, only works in this mode. In this case, one can only guess about the purpose of the upper valves. Maybe it's just one, but double valve. This can be found in Russian stoves or fireplaces, when you need to close a large area pipe without using a valve of the appropriate size. There are also stoves with three operating modes - summer, autumn, winter. In this case, you will also need 3 valves and one of the top ones is the main one.

valerzon 10 October 2014 17:02

I think that this is unlikely to be a double valve. There is no Russian. And for a Swede, half a brick is enough. Unless, of course, the stove maker was a die-hard)))

Berry 10 October 2014 17:43

The fact of the matter is that one can only guess here. Sometimes you come across very strange stoves.

revenant 10 October 2014 12:32

The best tool for finding channels and removing bricks is a hacksaw blade, preferably a broken one!

Use the sharp end of the breaker to scratch the seams; when you manage to insert the fabric into the channel, you simply cut out the clay from the seam.

Isn’t there a Russian stove behind the stove? Does the building seem too big for an ordinary Swede?

pecna 10 October 2014 12:54

is this Swedish? there is no Russian stove, there is only this one

valerzon 10 October 2014 17:00

To be honest, I still don’t understand where the bottom valve is? Is it above the stove? You should take a better photo of the bottom valve, otherwise it looks more like fortune telling with cards.

Most likely, here are the main purposes for which these three valves can serve:

1. covering the ventilation duct above the stove (exhaust hood)

2. summer run (for lighting the stove)

3. main valve - to close the main channel after the stove is heated.

This is in theory. And if I'm wrong, then throw a stone at me.

And one more thing: the hog can be easily demolished and a straight chimney can be made.

pecna 10 October 2014 17:53

I can’t take a photo, it’s dark for a mobile phone, and I don’t have a camera. I drew the place where this valve is. circled in the photo

Creating a rotary gate

First, let's find out how to make the most complex version of the gate. Detailed instructions will help you get the job done quickly. We will learn how to make a valve when the stove heating has already been done, however, a gate was not provided for in it.

To make a gate, you will need the following tools:

• electric drill;
• grinder with a circle for metal;
• a tap that is needed for cutting internal threads in a hole;
• oil that needs to be used to lubricate the tap when forming the thread;
• hammer;
• welding machine and electrodes for working with stainless steel;
• vice;
• pliers;
• compass and tape measure;
• core;
• permanent marker.

The list of materials for creating a gate valve is as follows:

• stainless steel sheet, the thickness of which is from 1.5 to 2 mm;
• stainless steel tube with an internal diameter of 6 mm;
• 2 bolts, 8 mm in diameter;
• a weaving nail or a metal rod.

If you have everything you need, you can start working on creating a gate:

1. First you need to measure the internal diameter of the chimney pipe. Write down these indicators. After that, a circle of the same diameter is marked on a stainless steel sheet, only 1–2 mm smaller, so that the plate can rotate freely.
2. After this, the intended circle is cut out with a grinder. You need to do everything carefully so that the edges are even.
3. The cut valve should fit perfectly into the chimney. To do this you need to try it on. If necessary, the plate is protected, ground and brought to the required size.
4. Now you need to take a stainless steel tube prepared in advance (6 mm in diameter) and attach it to the cut out circle. It is measured with a marker according to the size of the valve. On each side it is made 3 mm smaller than the internal diameter.
5. The tube is cut using a grinder. The internal hole is drilled out for threading. When drilling, it is necessary to periodically lubricate the surface of the tube inside with machine oil.
6. An 8 mm thread is cut on both sides of the tube using a tap. During operation, the tool is constantly lubricated. To remove the cutting chips, after each half turn along the thread, you need to make a half turn back so that the chips come out.
7. Next, three small holes are made in the valve. Make three marks in advance using a marker.
8. The tube and valve are clamped in the clamp, after which it is welded to the plate through these holes. Welding begins from the central hole of the future gate valve, then one clamp is released and welded into the remaining hole.
9. Two holes are marked on the chimney pipe. They must match on both sides so that the tube can pass through them freely. To do this correctly, you need to wrap the pipe with a tape measure and measure the center vertically and horizontally. All that remains is to drill these holes.
10. The valve is assembled in a tube.
11. Now we need to make a template for the clamp of our gate valve.
12. The markings are transferred to a stainless steel sheet. A compass is used for this purpose.
13. The middle for the holes of the retainer is marked, everything is cut out and drilled according to the markings.
14. All that remains is to weld the finished clamp to the pipe.

That's all, the chimney damper is ready. Although this option is more complicated, with visual instructions and suitable photos everything becomes easier.

Frequent errors and problems during installation

To install the throttle valve, it is necessary to make markings on the pipe in order to drill holes according to the welded valve structure.

To do this, you need to measure the pipe using a measuring tape and make marks for future holes. After making sure that the marks are symmetrical, use a drill to drill holes for the future rotary handle.

The throttle valve is installed as follows:

1. A steel damper circle with a welded tube is inserted into the chimney pipe.
2. A metal rod is threaded through the drilled holes in the pipe through a small tube, the end of which is secured with a bolt and nut.
3. The end of the rod is bent using pliers for a rotary handle.

Installation of a retractable damper in a brick chimney occurs during the masonry process. To do this, after 6-8 rows of bricks, a layer of cement masonry mortar is applied, on which a wire frame is installed with the open side facing the performer. You need to insert a latch into the frame and bring it into the closed state.

The frame is covered with mortar on top and bricks continue to be laid according to the standard pattern.

Today, there are two main ways to install a damper on a chimney:

1. Installation in a fireplace insert. This installation option implies the location of the gate product in close proximity to the heating equipment. As a rule, in this case the distance from the damper to the heating apparatus is 1 meter. This arrangement is very convenient for regulating the valve.
2. Connection with other elements of the heating system. In this case, there is no need to use additional locking elements, so this option is quite common. This type of installation can also be called “pipe to pipe”.

The above options for using valves for chimneys and ventilation systems are used everywhere. It is worth noting that today you can find a huge variety of stoves and fireplaces, which differ from each other from a constructive point of view. This variety of heating devices also influenced the range of gate valves.

• Installation of a valve in an insulated area. Under the influence of thermal expansion, the damper may jam;
• Installation of a cast iron part in a metal chimney (cast iron weighs a lot);
• Using too thin steel or stainless steel with a low nickel content for the manufacture of valves. Such a product quickly deforms under the influence of hot gases and can burn out;
• Installation of a gate with a non-smooth surface;
• Installation of a valve without a hole for carbon monoxide release;
• Installation of handles that do not allow monitoring the position of the valve (applies to rotary elements).

What is a gate and why is it needed?

Let's start with the definition. A damper is an adjustable, metal damper in a chimney that blocks the chimney channel. This is necessary in order to change the intensity of combustion and reduce the flow rate of flue gases. In addition, the damper prevents air from being drawn out of your home through the chimney, and also, on the contrary, does not allow external air flows to penetrate into the house. However, when the damper does not work effectively, it threatens with two problems at once: an unpleasant odor that will penetrate from the chimney into the house and high utility costs.

Typically, the chimney damper is located just above the fireplace at the entrance to the chimney. It forms a seal that prevents air flow. However, due to constant exposure to heat and moisture, the gate can become deformed, becoming a completely ineffective and useless device. But how do you know what condition your gate is in? This is quite easy to do, all you need is any bill, for example 20 hryvnia or one dollar. To find out how tightly the damper in your fireplace fits, leave a bill between the damper plates and close it tightly. Now try to get the money out. If the bill slides out easily, the slide is definitely letting a lot of air through.

If you don't want to use money for an experiment, there is another effective way. For this you only need matches. Light it in the fireplace and extinguish it immediately. Take a close look at where the smoke from the match goes; if it goes up the chimney, it's a sign that you're losing a lot of heat.

It is known that fireplace dampers remain open most of the time, which means that heated air from the house is constantly escaping through the pipe to the street. Because of this, heating costs increase by at least 30%. Therefore, do not forget to close the damper after the fire goes out. Another problem is partially closed dampers while the fireplace is operating. This should not be done; the damper must be open so that the fire receives enough air for clean combustion.

Slider lever position

When the fireplace is operating, the damper is either half-open or open. The gate is completely covered (the closed position is the rotary valve plate across the channel) when trying to switch the fireplace to a slow combustion state (But fireboxes that have a gate are not always suitable for operating in this mode!). In some models of fireboxes, the damper is designed to fully open before opening the door (mechanical locking). And even in the “closed” position of the fireplace damper, there is a movement of flue gases and air through the channel (the system is determined by the standards, which is why manufacturers of fireplace inserts and chimneys initially make a loose damper).

Adjustment

When operating heating units, an important aspect is the correct adjustment of the traction force, which affects the efficient operation and safety of the heating system. The sliding element, even with full penetration into the chimney channel, does not completely protect the bathhouse from the penetration of carbon monoxide. Closing is carried out after the end of the firebox, the firewood should have time to burn out and become covered with an ash layer.

If this is not followed, there is a risk of inhaling harmful gaseous substances. As carbon monoxide leaks out, it fills the room. It should be remembered that installing draft control devices (vane, deflector, weather vane) does not exempt you from regular cleaning of the pipe. If equipment is not cleared of soot in time, unpleasant consequences cannot be avoided.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the chimney structure and the presence of sufficient draft force.

To control traction, a formula has been developed for calculating the optimal value for the gate element, which is called the “alpha” coefficient. When setting the required value, uniform combustion of wood materials is ensured with minimal ash formation.

How to properly regulate traction

The shutter should be closed at the very end of the firebox, when the firewood has already burned out and become covered with ash. Otherwise, there is a significant risk of suffocation from carbon monoxide if you spend a long time in a room where carbon monoxide leaks. It seeps through and fills the entire room and it is completely impossible to see, so in order to avoid such a terrible situation, you should control the cravings.

In order to control the draft for the most efficient operation of heating equipment, there is a special formula that can be used to calculate the ideal value for the damper. This alpha value is 2.0–2.5. If you set this value, you can ensure good combustion of wood and minimal ash formation.

Selecting a location option

There are several ways to install a gate, each of which has both pros and cons. An important factor is what the chimney is made of. But modern masters prefer to use the three most common options:

1. Installation in a fireplace insert.
2. Fastening using the “pipe in pipe” method.
3. Installation in a ventilation system.

The damper can be installed in the ventilation system

If the master has chosen the “pipe-to-pipe” installation type, then he will not need to use special fasteners to securely fix the damper with the fireplace elements. The location of the damper in the ventilation system completely eliminates the possibility of overheating of the fan motor during active operation.

Modern manufacturers offer ready-to-install chimneys that are equipped with all the necessary devices (the slide damper is no exception). In this case, the part must be used in strict accordance with the recommendations established by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you can make a chimney damper with your own hands and at a more affordable price.

There are three main options for placing the damper in the chimney:

• pipe-to-pipe fastening;
• placement in a fireplace insert;
• installation in a ventilation pipe.

Brick chimney with damper

If you place a gate valve in the outlet pipe or in the furnace firebox, that is, build this element into its design, the damper is placed on a section of pipe as close as possible to the heating boiler. This guarantees ease of control and ease of turning the valve. This is explained by the fact that the handle will not touch either the portal or the cladding area. If it is located according to the “pipe to pipe” option, no additional fastenings are required for connection with other elements of the furnace.

Typically, ready-to-install chimneys are offered, which are equipped with everything necessary, including a slide valve. In this case, it is placed in the system in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If it is not provided for one reason or another, it is quite possible to manufacture and install this element yourself.

Advantages and disadvantages

The chimney must be regularly cleaned of soot in order for the damper to work.
Like any engineering structures, stove dampers have their pros and cons.

Advantages include:

• possibility of traction adjustment;
• saving fuel by reducing the volume of air supplied to the firebox;
• maintaining the heat of the stove after closing the chimney;
• blocking wind blowing.

Design disadvantages:

• throttle-type products are unreliable, they can jam and fail to close due to soot adhesion;
• rotating devices make it difficult and sometimes impossible to clean the channels;
• Correct adjustment requires experience and skill.

With proper installation and proper handling, dampers can make boiler firing more convenient, economical and safe.

Deflector for the chimney pipe (with photo)

To eliminate backdraft in the chimney, it is recommended to use a deflector.

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Look at the photo: the chimney deflector is a mechanical fan that sucks smoke from the chimney shaft.

It is also necessary to look at how the gate is located - a special valve with which the draft is controlled. One damper should be located in the chimney duct, and the second, as a rule, is located either in the stove or in its door. You can try changing their position.

Modern deflectors for stoves are:

with a flat top;

equipped with an opening lid;

having a gable roof with two slopes on the pipe;

with a semicircular top.

Deflectors with a flat copper top are often located in Art Nouveau style baths.

Basically, sheets of galvanized iron are used to make deflectors, although recently you can often find deflectors on sale in which the metal is coated with enamel or even a layer of plastic.

Some models of deflectors must be inserted with the door facing the smoke collector. To do this, you need to place one edge on the wall, carefully lift the second and lower it into place. For ease of installation, the plates should be removed from the rear and side walls.

You can choose a model in a store, or you can easily make a chimney deflector yourself. Before making a deflector for a pipe, read the detailed description of the stages of work.

Before you begin directly making the deflector, you need to decide on the material from which it will be made. It can be copper, galvanized iron or stainless steel. Despite the fact that copper is a fairly expensive material, it is better to opt for this metal, as it is resistant to atmospheric conditions. This is due to the fact that the deflector is located in one of the most inaccessible places in the bathhouse, and frequent repairs will be problematic.

Before making the deflector, it is necessary to draw on cardboard a development of all the main parts, including the cap, diffuser and outer cylinder. Then you should transfer everything to metal and cut according to these patterns using special scissors. Next, you need to connect the parts to each other using rivets, bolts or welding. From a strip of metal you need to make brackets with which the cap will be fixed to the surface. A reverse cone should be attached to the cap. Having assembled the deflector onto the chimney pipe, you can proceed to installing it on the roof. First you need to fix the lower cylinder using bolts and nuts. Using clamps, you need to secure the diffuser to the lower cylinder, and install a cap with a reverse cone on it.

How to make a stove valve with your own hands?

Do-it-yourself stove chimney valve is not a problem. At home, having a grinder, a welding machine and the necessary material, you can assemble both a retractable and a throttle gate

It is very important in such a matter to maintain the accuracy of calculations. It is necessary that the valve fits perfectly into the groove and can move there freely

Retractable gate

There is nothing complicated here. The retractable gate is a retractable frame and the base itself.

1. The chimney damper for a stove with a sliding frame requires the most accurate measurements. First you need to calculate the cross section inside the pipe.
2. Next, based on these measurements, a frame is cut out (most often a steel sheet is taken) that will extend. A bend is made at its end for more convenient control. All ends should be carefully cleaned so that there are no unnecessary irregularities.
3. Depending on the chimney, a steel sheet, strip or wire is used for the frame. But there is a method for a round chimney. Use two identical sheets of metal (thickness - 2 mm) and cut two holes in the middle according to the diameter of the pipe. The plate that will fit into the frame is cut out separately.
4. Next, you need to weld the structure so that the holes for the pipe match. Between the sheets you need to leave 4-6 mm of free space.

Video instructions for making a retractable stove valve for a metal chimney:

Manufacturing of a rotary gate

For a rotary valve you will need a steel angle (30 by 30) and sheet steel 2 meters thick.

1. First, measure the chimney and make a frame from the corner using these measurements.
2. We cut out the part according to the measurements and try it on the pipe.
3. We take a piece of pipe with internal thread and place it in the center of the workpiece. We make marks so that the edges of the pipe are 3 mm shorter than the valve itself.
4. Cut off all excess.
5. We make 3 holes on the valve blank and weld the pipe to them.
6. The structure is ready (the installation process is described below (after the brick version).

A homemade valve in a chimney has a right to exist. The only thing is that this matter can take a lot of time due to the number of precise measurements.

Useful video instructions for making a rotary gate:

Home manufacturing technology

Qualified specialists always emphasize that even a novice craftsman can make a rotary and retractable gate. After all, in order for the finished product to perfectly cope with its main task, you need to correctly take all the necessary measurements

If the finished damper fits tightly into the chimney, then over time it may jam, as it will be exposed to high temperature. And when there is a large gap between the valve and the pipe, it will be difficult to regulate the intensity of the draft during operation.

Multifunctional butterfly valve

To make this type of gate, you need to use a steel angle of 30x30 mm, as well as durable sheet steel, the thickness of which is at least 1.5 millimeters. The manufacturing process itself consists of several main stages, which must be implemented in strict sequence:

1. Initially, you need to take measurements of the inside of the chimney. This is done in order to avoid mistakes during the manufacture of a frame from a corner, which is fixed with a welding machine.
2. On one side of the frame, exactly in the center, you need to drill a small hole (7-8 mm in diameter). It will be useful for the rotary axis.
3. A similar hole must be made on the other side of the frame.
4. The plate for the damper must be cut from a steel sheet. This part must fully correspond to the internal dimensions of the manufactured frame.
5. To make a guide axis, you need to take a piece of wire with a diameter of 9 mm and a length that will exceed the size of the frame itself by 7 cm. You need to cut a thread on one side of the wire (a die is best for this task).
6. The finished axle is carefully threaded into the holes on the frame and secured with a nut.
7. All cuts on the plate are processed with a grinding machine and inserted into the frame.
8. At this stage, the master must weld the axle exactly in the center of the plate.
9. All that remains is to make a comfortable handle for the guide from high-quality scrap materials.

Universal device

Modern gate valves include the valve itself, as well as a special guide frame. That is why, before starting work, the master must measure the internal cross-section of the pipe or brick chimney. In accordance with the available measurements, a neat rectangle is cut out of sheet steel (5 mm thick). A small longitudinal fold is made on one side, the width of which should not exceed 30 mm.

These manipulations are necessary so that the finished damper can be conveniently pulled out. Each cut must be polished, due to which the dimensions of the product are reduced by 2 mm on each side. Such actions by the technician will ensure free movement of the damper inside the chimney.

When the damper is made for a brick fireplace, the frame itself can be made of thick steel wire, the diameter of which is within 6 mm. During this procedure, the metal blank is simply bent into the shape of the letter P in strict accordance with the existing measurements.

If the chimney has a rectangular shape and is made of steel, then it is better to make the frame from a metal strip 2 mm thick and up to 35 mm wide. The prepared strip is bent lengthwise, leaving a neat gap along the thickness of the plate. Only after this can small cuts be made in two places at an angle of 45° to give the workpiece a U-shape. All gaps in the places of cuts must be butt welded.

To connect the ends of a homemade damper, you need to use two pieces of metal, which should be positioned in such a way that the damper blade can pass freely between them. At the end of all these manipulations, the master should come out with a rectangular frame with grooves for the shutter.

To make a valve in a round pipe, you need to take two identical metal sheets 2 mm thick. Round holes are cut in the center in accordance with the diameter of the chimney. The valve plate must be manufactured separately. After this, the sheets are connected to each other using a welding machine.

It is necessary to weld only three sides around the perimeter so that the holes of the finished valve on the pipe match exactly. A gap of 5 mm must be left between the top and bottom sheets. At this point, the damper manufacturing process can be considered complete, since the craftsman can only insert the valve and secure the finished product to the chimney.

Gate valve installation

Installation of any type of damper is carried out at the first stages of installing a heating system. Installing the structure on a chimney pipe is not at all difficult. This can be done in three ways:

• Near the fireplace. The device is connected to the chimney pipe at a distance of one meter from the heating devices. This convenient installation of the damper allows you to easily monitor the operation of the gate.
• "Pipe to pipe." This method involves attaching a slide damper to a chimney pipe without the use of additional clamps. The valve is held securely due to its tight connection to the chimney pipe.
• In the ventilation duct. This installation option is mainly used to cool the fan motor.

When constructing stoves and fireplaces, the damper is most often installed using the first method. Gate valves are used for both round and square chimney pipes. Products with a rotating plate are most often installed in chimneys with a cross-section in the form of a circle.

Installing a damper in a brick oven

The gate valve is quite often used for brick kilns. It is installed during the construction of the chimney. Place the valve on the first meter of the pipe. This arrangement of the gate makes it easy to adjust the draft. To install such a gate you need:

• two rows of chimney bricks are laid;
• in the second row an opening of the required size is cut;
• a damper is installed;
• in any brick of the same row a recess is made for a rotary handle;

Next, the next rows are laid

In this case, you should pay attention to the tightness of the fit to the place where the gate is installed. All cracks should be sealed with mortar.

When using such a damper, all safety precautions must be taken into account.
During operation of the furnace, under no circumstances should the gate valve be closed. This action will lead to carbon monoxide entering the room. Some models have a special fixing element that prevents the pipe opening from being completely closed. Date: September 25, 2022

Safety regulations

When the damper is completely closed, carbon monoxide enters the room - it is not visible, not heard, and sometimes there is no smell. An exception may be a valve with a lock. In a sauna stove, you should not close the damper until the wood has burned out and the coals are covered with a layer of ash.

When choosing the type of damper, take into account its disadvantages, for example, think that if you have a straight chimney, then it will be difficult for you to get rid of soot.

Before making the design and installing it yourself, consult a specialist who will calculate the draft level of your stove. For this, professionals use a special formula. Take care of yourself!