A hidden damper gap cost me three hours last Tuesday

I was doing a routine sweep over on Maple Street when smoke started curling back into the living room. Thought it was a flue blockage, so I ran my rods up twice and still had the issue. Turns out the old damper plate had a quarter inch gap on the hinge side I kept overlooking, and the client's wife spotted it after I'd already pulled everything apart. Has anyone else chased a draft problem that turned out to be a worn damper seat instead of a clog, or am I the only one who burns half a day on that?

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wren82618d ago

Did you check the damper seat with a flashlight before you pulled the rods out, or does the gap only show up when the plate is fully closed and under pressure? I ask because I've had a couple of jobs where the gap was nearly invisible until I ran my hand along the hinge side and felt the play. Also, was the damper plate original to the house, or had someone swapped it out at some point? Replacement plates can be slightly off from the frame, and that quarter inch will drive you nuts if you don't catch it early.