Is it possible to install a damper damper on an AGV chimney

Materials and tools

In addition to structural differences, the types of gates may differ in the material of manufacture. The only possible option is metal, since only it does not burn and does not deform at high temperatures, and over time, even in an aggressive environment, it does not change its characteristics.

For production, either cast iron or stainless steel is used. It is not possible to independently build a damper from cast iron, since this requires at least a forge.However, on sale you can find nondescript and beautifully designed cast-iron shutters.

Cast iron swivel gate with comfortable handle. This design is suitable for a brick chimney with a rectangular cross section that can withstand a fairly heavy weight of the device.

Steel products look simpler, but are similar in characteristics to cast-iron counterparts. The advantage of steel fixtures is light weight.

If a cast-iron damper for a stove chimney is installed only on a solid, permanent structure, then a steel valve is suitable for any chimney ducts - brick and steel, rectangular and round, solid and light.

Samples of a sliding damper made of galvanized steel, the diameter of the chimney section is 150 mm. Galvanized, unlike ordinary steel, does not react to moisture (condensate) and does not corrode

For a country heating stove, a modest steel valve is enough, while a custom-made cast-iron gate is better suited for ennobling a Russian stove in a cottage.

• metal with a thickness of 3 ± 0.5 mm: thinner sheets will quickly burn out, in addition, under the influence of high temperature they can be led, and the furnace will become shapeless; thick-walled metal will warm up for a very long time;

• a pipe for a chimney;

• bars 16 mm;

• a sheet of metal with a thickness of 0.3 mm for the construction of a box for collecting ash;

• tape measure, ruler, chalk;

• welding machine 140-200A;

• grinder for metal cutting; for making round holes it is more convenient to use a gas cutter;

• a metal brush for cleaning of places of welding;

• emery wheel to fit the doors;

• drill and drills.

Tips for choosing a slide gate valve

It must be remembered that the correct selection of such an element as a sliding damper is reflected in the future not only in the thrust indicator, but also in the safety of the heating system, of which the chimney is a part. The gate is mounted on any model of fireplaces and stoves, except for the most modern ones, in which there is a deflector.

The main recommendations for choosing slide gates for flue communication are as follows:

• if the heater functions due to gas processing, then it is better to purchase a rotary shutter model. This is due to the fact that such models exclude the possibility of completely blocking the chimney channel. Thus, the heating system will be safer. The chimney, which removes the products of combustion from the gas stove, must be blocked by at least 40 percent during operation;
• there are heating systems that function intermittently (periodic). A closed damper installed in such a heating structure, as a rule, allows steam to pass during feeding, 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 rotary elements for installation in bath chimneys.

Rotary 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. Mounting on the principle of "pipe in pipe";
3. Installation in a ventilation pipe.

Consider the first 2 options:

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

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

Adjusting the traction with the gate is quite simple. By changing the position in the direction of increasing the gap, we increase the flow of air to the fire and the flame flares up more strongly. Decreasing clearance reduces thrust. The valve is closed after the flame is completely attenuated - so the furnace cools down much faster.

Purpose and characteristics

This device allows you to control and regulate the draft to the smoke exhaust system. Translated from German,

gate ("schieber")

Shiber ("schieber") means a part that is made of a certain metal.

Good traction is one of the key conditions for the normal operation of the fuel system. With good traction, the fuel burns almost completely, providing an efficient and economical heating process. If the draft is bad, then smoke in the room and a fire may occur.

To eliminate these dangerous and unpleasant moments, a slide damper is installed in the chimney system. It prevents the division of gas bubbles, which should not be separated.

The sliding damper is recommended to be installed when heating with gas, coal, solid fuel.

How to perform draft control with a slide gate

Firewood burns out completely, and very little soot is obtained at the same time only if the thrust corresponds to the alpha value, that is, it is in the range of 2.0-2.5 (there is a special formula for calculating it). An important condition for the existence of good traction is to ensure the supply of air to the combustion zone.

It is necessary to remember the following point well: if you closed the gate, carbon monoxide will still seep into the bathhouse, and you may not see smoke or smell burning. Carbon monoxide is very dangerous, because in a few hours you can completely burn out. The damper can be closed only at the very end of the firebox, when absolutely all the firewood is completely burned out and slightly covered with ashes.

Video "Draft regulator":

Video "Homemade chimney damper":

Be careful, do not risk your health and your life! Take care of yourself!

Choosing 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 according to the "pipe in pipe" method.
3. Installation in the ventilation system.

The damper can be installed in the ventilation system. In the event that the master has chosen the type of installation "pipe in pipe", then he will not need to use special fasteners to securely fix the damper with the elements of the fireplace. The location of the gate in the ventilation system completely eliminates the possibility of overheating of the fan motor during active operation.

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

We invite you to read: What to do if the concrete is frozen

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

• fastening "pipe to pipe";
• 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 furnace, that is, embed this element in its design, the damper is placed on a pipe segment as close as possible to the heating boiler. This guarantees ease of control, ease of turning the damper. This is explained by the fact that the handle will not touch either the portal or the cladding area. If it is arranged according to the “pipe to pipe” option, no additional fasteners are required for connection with other elements of the furnace.

Chimneys are usually offered ready for installation, 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 on your own.

Varieties of gate

retractable

Sliding gate

The retractable type gate is considered the most convenient and reliable to use. This is a smooth plate with a small longitudinal hole, moving along the grooves in the chimney. It is mounted in a horizontal position, the traction force is regulated by the movement of the plate, which reduces or increases the cross section of the pipe. This type of valve is designed for brick ovens, although it can also be used in steel pipe chimneys.

Gate with plate

Rotary (throttle)

Swivel gate. Visible plate that regulates traction

The rotary gate is a metal plate with a guide welded in the center. It is installed inside the chimney, while the end of the guide must be brought out. The thrust is adjusted by rotating the plate around its axis. This design is less reliable, because over time the welding fastening weakens and the damper comes off. Rotary damper is used in steel chimneys.

Equally important is the material from which the valves are made.

Cast iron

Cast iron gates

Cast iron is a very strong and durable material traditionally used to make furnace valves. The cast-iron gate has only one minus - a lot of weight.

Cast iron gate for sauna stoves, fireplaces

Cast iron gate

Stainless steel

High quality steel gate assembly

Stainless steel is not afraid of corrosion, has a long service life, weighs little and does not reduce the efficiency of the furnace. The smooth polished surface of the stainless steel valve prevents the accumulation of soot, which makes it easier to clean. Such dampers can be of any design and can be installed in both brick and steel chimneys.

Steel gate in a brick kiln

Types of gate valves

There are two main types of gate valves - retractable and rotary (throttle). The design features are clear from the name: the first type works due to the perpendicular movement of the metal plate relative to the chimney pipe.

We recommend reading: How to do-it-yourself spark arrester on the chimney?

To enhance the draft, the damper moves back and almost completely goes beyond the chimney, and to reduce the flow, it slides back into the pipe.

Retractable gate

The most popular sliding type chimney damper.It compares favorably with other varieties of reliability in operation with ease of use. The retractable gate is a plate with a smooth, even surface, in which there is a special longitudinal hole. It goes through the grooves in the chimney.

This type of valve is installed strictly horizontally. To change the draft force in the chimney, it is enough to move the damper in the desired direction, increasing or, conversely, reducing the cross section for the pipe.

This option is suitable for steel pipes, but is more suitable for stoves made of brick. Its installation does not require special knowledge and considerable effort.

Some models have a small cut-out area. This ensures the safety of the structure: even if this valve is completely closed, the movement of carbon monoxide in it will continue.

Rotary gate

Another variety is the rotary gate. It is a plate made of metal, which is fixed in the central part of the guide by welding.

Dimensions and principle of operation of the rotary gate

Its main share is in the inside of the chimney, but the tip should always remain outside. Against the background of the rotation of this plate relative to its own axis, the draft in the chimney is regulated.

The disadvantage of this type is the need for fastening by welding. It is this place that is the weak point of the structure: the damper will open if the mount relaxes.

The rotary gate is notable for its low reliability. But this figure may vary depending on what it was made from. Most often, they turn to it for installation in steel chimneys.And also it is installed in cases where there is not enough space to extend the classic valve.

Cast iron gate

The cast-iron gate has found quite wide application within the framework of furnaces of various types, fireplaces. The disadvantage of such products is their significant mass. At the same time, cast iron itself has long been used in the manufacture of valves for furnaces. This is explained by its high reliability, durability and strength.

Model range of cast iron gates

Gate of steel type

A stainless steel gate assembly is not the cheapest option. But the design is characterized by high quality and excellent performance. Its advantages are as follows:

• maintaining the efficiency of the furnace;
• small mass;
• long service life;
• not subject to metal corrosion;
• does not allow the accumulation of soot.

These gates may have a different design depending on the features of the furnace. They are relevant for chimneys made of steel or brick.

Varieties of gate valves

Since chimneys are different, our gate valves are also different from each other. Basically, this difference lies in the form and in the way of functioning. There are several types of gate valves:

1. Horizontal slide gate valve that retracts. This is the most common type of gate valve. Inside the structure there is a plate, which is retractable, it is thanks to it that the cross-sectional area is regulated. Most often, this design is used for brick chimneys. So that in the closed position of the element, the smoke channel does not overlap 100%, small holes are made in the plate.This is done for a reason, because the technology of creation corresponds to fire safety. A feature of the horizontal gate is the simplicity of design and ease of installation, as well as the efficiency of work.
2. Swivel gate. It also has a second name - "throttle valve". The design is fundamentally different from the previous version. It is made in the form of a branch pipe, inside of which there is a metal plate. Only it does not extend, but is located on a rotating axis. The device is equipped with a removable rotary disk, which becomes unusable over time. However, due to the scheme of the rotary mechanism, it is easy to repair and replace the part yourself. The valve is located inside the chimney pipe. The principle of operation is to rotate the plate inside. The advantage of this gate valve design is that it is easy to operate. The owner of the house will not need to constantly monitor the position of the gate.

Since the second option is more difficult to implement, this do-it-yourself chimney damper is not made. Most often, it is the first option that is created - a horizontal valve. I would like to note a few more nuances. A gate valve is needed for wood-burning stoves and other heating equipment that runs on solid fuels. If we talk about gas boilers and those running on liquid fuel, then the damper is needed more in order to protect the chimney structure from the penetration of atmospheric precipitation, debris and animals.

If we talk about installing a rotary gate for a bath, then it is better not to do this. Why? During operation, the structure will partially pass steam when closed. And cleaning in the open is difficult to perform.

There are three ways to install the gate:

1. Installation of the product in the fireplace insert. For this purpose, it is installed at a distance of 100 cm from the heating device (stove, fireplace, boiler), which simplifies operation.
2. The pipe-to-pipe method is based on combining the gate valve with the rest of the elements of the heating system, without the use of additional fasteners.
3. Installation of the valve directly in the ventilation pipe. The purpose of such manipulation is completely different. The valve is needed more to protect the channels from the penetration of foreign objects, debris, rainfall and animals. This is done to protect the fan motor.

There are two options for how to proceed if you need to install a valve. The first is to simply buy a kit and do the installation yourself according to the instructions from the manufacturer. The second is to make a chimney damper yourself. We will consider options for creating both a rotary and a horizontal device.

What is a slide gate

The German word Schieber in Russian has not changed either pronunciation or meaning. If we talk specifically about stove heating, then the gate, as well as the gate valve (valve), is called a shut-off type device that blocks the chimney channel.

Most often, it is installed in the upper part of the base of the chimney channel, which is located in the room, so that, if necessary, it is possible to manually adjust the movement of gases, and at the same time the quality of draft.

This is what the slide looks like when extended. In the retracted state (when the furnace is already heated), the valve is almost invisible, only its “eye” protrudes outward

The damper on the chimney channel is required for the traditional construction of a brick oven. By pushing it partially or completely, you can reduce the thrust or block the movement of heated gases. The damper is fully closed when the furnace is heated and harmful gases stop flowing into the channel. There are known cases of death of people who died from an early “closed” furnace.

If you are late with closing the damper, the heat from the heated bricks will go into the pipe, and the temperature in the room will quickly drop. A gate pushed in in time is a guarantee that the house will be warm for at least a day. As you know, in village houses during the cold season, the stove has to be fired every morning.

Factory-made steel gate valve with a diameter of 200 mm. To simplify installation, it is sold together with a fragment of a steel pipe, in a built-in form.

There is an opinion that dampers, mandatory for brick ovens, are absolutely not needed for steel ovens (although they are offered by manufacturers), as well as for models with a deflector.

The argument against their use is the fact that the chimney, when the valve is closed, quickly becomes clogged with soot. Its upper part is cooled by the cold air entering the pipe, which, upon contact with the hot steel pipe, forms a large amount of condensate. A clogged chimney requires constant cleaning.

DIY manufacturing

If desired, a gate of any type can be constructed with your own hands. To work, you need a welding machine and a grinder. Initially, you need to take accurate measurements of the pipe so that the slide valve does not fit tightly into the pipe. If the requirement is not observed, there is a risk of jamming of the damper when the pipe is heated.Too much clearance makes it difficult to adjust the traction force.

Materials used in the manufacture of a sliding gate valve for a rotary type chimney:

• stainless steel pipe blanks with an inner diameter of 6 mm;
• nails;
• stainless steel sheet 2 mm wide;
• bolts with a diameter of 8 mm.

Manufacturing:

1. After measuring the inner diameter of the pipe, transfer the dimensions to the steel sheet.
2. Cut circles, sand.
3. Try on the workpiece to the damper and cut off the desired section.
4. Drill holes for threads.
5. Weld the dampers to the pipe.
6. Put holes on the chimney, install dampers.

For the manufacture of a home-made sliding-type gate, you will need a valve blank, a guide frame. The sliding element is pre-cut to the desired dimensions, corresponding to the dimensions of the chimney. Bend one side for ease of movement during use. Perform grinding. Cut out the plate for the sliding element. Connect the parts by welding and fix on the pipe.

Manufacturing of sliding gate

Sliding gate

The design of the gate valve consists of the valve itself and the guide frame. First you need to measure the internal section of the pipe or brick chimney. According to measurements, a rectangular valve is cut out of sheet steel 4-5 mm thick. On the one hand, a longitudinal fold is made with a width of 20-30 mm, so that it is more convenient to extend the damper. All sections are carefully polished, while reducing the size of the product by 1-2 mm on each side. This will ensure free movement of the damper inside the chimney.

Gate scheme

If the chimney is steel and has a rectangular shape, the frame is made of a steel strip 2 mm thick and 30-35 mm wide.The strip is bent along, leaving a gap along the thickness of the plate, then it is cut in two places at an angle of 45 degrees and given a U-shape. The gaps in the places of cuts are welded end-to-end. The ends of the self-made profile are connected by two pieces of metal, positioning them so that the valve blade passes freely between them. You should get a rectangular frame with grooves for the gate. In this case, the inner perimeter of the frame must necessarily be equal to the cross section of the chimney.

Gate valve manufacturing

Ready-made gate design for a round chimney

Now the sheets must be connected by welding on three sides around the perimeter so that the holes for the pipe coincide, and there is a gap of 4-5 mm between the top and bottom sheets. After that, it remains only to insert the valve and fix the gate on the pipe.

Throttle valve manufacturing instructions

To make a rotary gate valve, you will need more tools and time. Most often, this type of damper is used for a metal chimney for modern fireplaces and metal freestanding stoves.

A set of tools for work:

• Bulgarian;
• drill;
• pliers;
• welding machine;
• compass;
• roulette;
• marking marker.

For the manufacture of the gate, sheet steel up to 3 mm thick is needed, a stainless pipe with an internal diameter of 6 mm, fasteners (bolts, nuts) 8 mm, a metal rod.

1. First, measure the inside diameter of the chimney pipe with a compass.
2. According to him, draw a circle on sheet steel.
3. Bulgarian cut a circle.
4. Place the cut fragment into the pipe and check the fit. If necessary, finish the shutter with a grinding disc.
5. Put a metal tube with a diameter of 6 cm on a circle in the center and make marks on it, retreating 3 mm from each side of the circle.
6. Cut off the tube with a grinder.
7. In the resulting pipe section, drill the thread to 6.8 mm on both sides.
8. Drill holes for welding in the steel circle (one in the center, two 1 cm from the edge on opposite sides).
9. Weld the threaded tube to the steel circle.

The slide damper is ready, it remains to install it in the chimney pipe.

How to make a gate valve with your own hands

Let's see how to do both. dampers for chimneys - retractable and swivel. Each of them has its own nuances of manufacturing and installation. 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 easily cleaned of soot, and if necessary, the moving part can be easily replaced.

The main tools are a welding machine, electrodes, a grinder, metal shears (we choose depending on the thickness of the sheet), a drill with a grinding disc, metal drills, a file.

Work is best done on a workbench with a vise. Among other things, you will need a sheet of paper for the template, a tape measure, a marker.

Drawing up a diagram (drawing)

Dimensioning must be taken seriously, as even a few millimeters can cause the chimney to malfunction. To find out the dimensions of the frame, you should measure the cross section of the chimney channel with a tape measure - it will coincide with the dimensions of the inner side of the frame.

To this value, add 20-30 mm on three sides and calculate the outer side of the frame.

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

For metal pipes, they usually combine the design of a flat damper with a fragment of a chimney located perpendicularly.

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

Marking and cutting 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 a thick wire by bending it in the shape of the letter P.

A more detailed frame is a strong corner profile. To make it, we cut a strip from sheet steel and bend it along at an angle of 90º. To give the profile the desired shape, in places where the corners are marked, we cut one of the planes. When bending, we get a frame. We weld the places of the folds.

Next, cut out the shutter itself. It should be about 5-10 mm narrower than the frame width. We adjust the length so that in the closed state only a small fragment of the valve looks out. You can decorate it in different ways: in the form of an ear with a hole or just a folded edge.

We clean the edges of the cut gate with a disk so that the closing / opening process takes place easily and silently. Details cannot be painted.

Valve installation steps

The photo shows the stages of installing a factory-made gate.By the same principle, a home-made device is mounted.

Image gallery Photo from In accordance with the scheme of the furnace device, we determine the installation location of the slide gate and mark the bricks that need to be cut. We take out the bricks that serve as the basis for mounting the gate and cut them to the size of the gate frame with a grinder. To fix the gate, we use a masonry mortar. We apply it to the installation site, and then to the edges of the frame from above. The valve “stood” on the same level with the rest of the bricks, so there are no obstacles for further masonry, it is done in the usual manner - according to the ordering scheme Step 1 - determining the installation site Step 2 - cutting the bricks around the perimeter holesStep 3 - planting the gate on the mortarStep 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.

The main types of gate valves

Swivel gate. It is also called the "throttle valve", which is a metal plate mounted on a rotating axis. The axis, in turn, is mounted inside the chimney pipe. This device has a removable rotary disk, but with prolonged use it may become unusable. However, the scheme of the rotary mechanism allows you to repair and replace it with your own hands. The advantage of this type of device is ease of use. This type of gate does not require constant monitoring by the owner of the house.

Due to the complexity of the do-it-yourself design, the rotary mechanism is less often used when laying a fireplace or stove.

The gate design is necessary for wood-burning stoves and heating devices operating on any solid fuel.

Therefore, for a gas boiler, the most practical solution would be to install a rotary mechanism. The temperature of the exhaust gases is less low than during the operation of solid fuel, so the operation of such a mechanism will be most convenient.

Valve on the insulated chimney

But it is better to refuse to install a rotary mechanism in the bath. The fact is that it will partially pass steam when closed. And in the open form, such a mechanism is difficult to clean.

Made of stainless steel, the slide mechanism will not completely cover the chimney, but at the same time it will exclude the possibility of pulling out flames through the ash pan into the room.

There are three options for installing the gate.

1. Installing a damper in a fireplace insert. To do this, the gate is mounted at a distance of 1 meter from the heating device, which ensures simple operation.
2. The “pipe to pipe” option involves combining the gate with other elements of the heating structure without additional use of fasteners.
3. Installation of a gate valve in a ventilation pipe. But this option is usually used to protect the fan motor from overheating during its operation.

But even if the finished kit comes without this element, the gate can be easily made with your own hands by choosing the most optimal mechanism option for yourself.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any engineering solution, the gate has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Ability to control traction;
• Fuel economy;
• The dampers help keep the heat in.

Minuses:

• Devices make it difficult to clean chimneys;
• If installed incorrectly, the gate can wedge and adversely affect the movement of gases;
• For correct adjustment, it is necessary to have certain knowledge in the field of smoke extraction systems.

Differences between sliding and rotary gate

A retractable damper allows you to adjust the working section of the chimney, a rotary damper - only open or close the pipe. Of course, some tricks are possible - such as fixing the hog in an intermediate position in different ways, but the factory equipment does not provide for this. In addition, the rotary gate complicates the mechanical cleaning of the pipe.

We select the gate

The gate is used, as a rule, in heating systems based on the use of wood, solid and liquid fuels, gas. The intensity of combustion is controlled by changing the fuel supply. In a gas boiler, it is advisable to use a rotary type gate. Since the exhaust gases have a low temperature, the structure itself will not be damaged. A stainless steel device will not completely close the chimney and will prevent the flame from escaping through the ash pan into the room.

It is possible to build a gate with your own hands. If you are engaged in building a house and plan to build a stove yourself, then immediately take care of embedding a gate in the chimney. Even when heating the room with a boiler, you still have to install the damper. You can independently carry out not only the installation of the gate valve, but also its assembly. Most often, such a need arises when re-equipping furnace heating, that is, if the house already has a chimney, but it is necessary to choose a suitable damper for it.

For the construction of the gate, it is worth using stainless steel, since only it can withstand the negative effects of high temperatures and condensate. First make a frame, where then install the damper. It is worth using corners in which the shelf width is from 35 to 45 mm.

After that, we drill a recess for the axis in the frame. In the center between the parallel parts, do such activities for those designs with a direct turn. For angular rotation, the holes must be placed diagonally. Then weld the bushings. Their location should not interfere with the free rotation of the axis.

For the damper itself, two to three millimeter steel is taken. The plate is inserted into the frame and welded to the axis. The shutter and frame should be separated by a gap of up to 1 mm. In order for the damper to close completely, it is equipped with a limiter. We mount a handle on the axis, with which we will control the gate.

Despite the simplicity of the design of the part, the gate has many advantages. Thanks to him, even ordinary stove heating can be made energy efficient.