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Proper ventilation is a central characteristic that all buildings need. However, it involves deliberately cutting holes into your menage that tin movement unwelcome drafts if the extractor fan ventilation organization is not properly installed as well as equipped.

In this article, we will review backdraft damper installation likewise as how to make an existing backdraft damper. I take likewise included helpful videos that present step-by-step processes of installing dampers together with fixing mutual issues.

Backdraft dampers are supposed to cease air current from blowing through an extractor fan. If there is no backdraft damper, install one. Dampers can besides live ineffective if the seal is broken or the blades are damaged or blocked. Seals tin can live replaced and blockages cleared, just if the blades are damaged, the damper demand to be replaced.

How Do Backdraft Dampers Work?

Backdraft dampers are used to allow air to flow out of a building as well as prevent exterior air from coming into a edifice.

By regulating airflow, backdraft dampers forestall backdrafts (apparently!) too promote efficient role of cooling and heating systems by preventing the fiftyoss of conditioned air as well as the entrance of unconditioned air.

Backdraft dampers are made of hinged blades that act to block or let air to exit. This creates a 1-style tunnel that will allow air to circulate out of the building, but forestall unwanted air from coming inwards.

Benefits of a properly working backdraft damper include consistency in temperature, reduced odors, in addition to removal of harmful particles (like germs too bacteria) from the air.

Check for a Backdraft Damper

If you lot don’t accept a backdraft damper, that is the reason why wind is blowing through your extractor fan. Here’second how to cheque for 1 in a few elementary steps:

Locate the exhaust duct in your home – it should Pb outside together with may be accessible past the attic or basement.
Look within the duct opening for a circular, tunnel-like device amongst ane or more than moveable blades or flappers that bridge the diameter of the duct.

If you are unable to find a backdraft damper, installing ane is a unproblematic solution that volition keep the air current out of your extractor fan.

How To Install a Backdraft Damper

Before installing a backdraft damper, it is a practiced idea to make clean the surface area where you’ll be placing the device. This ensures that no dust or particles are accumulating inwards the duct.

Measure the exhaust duct where the damper will get, together with purchase a damper with the same measurements. For a high-quality, well-priced choice, bank check out the air conditioning infinity damper _{^{(amazon link)}}.

Next, insert the damper into the duct. The device may be smaller or take ridges on the side that should get into the duct. Most backdraft dampers will work whether the blades are orientated horizontally or vertically, but the blades call for to open towards the exterior.

You volition ask to drill iii evenly-spaced screws into the damper. Place them where the duct overlaps alongside the border of the damper.

To ensure the best seal possible, y'all tin caulk along the damper’sec border.

Check the Condition of the Existing Damper

If y'all already have a damper, you lot volition necessitate to try it to figure out what’s causing the job. Here is a helpful tabular array virtually unlike issues it may have.

Problem	How to prepare it	Helpful video	Helpful Amazon products
The caulk is lifting or breaking	First, remove the erstwhile caulk with a putty knife. Next, make clean the surface area where the onetime caulk was. Finally, apply the new layer of caulk.	How to caulk	*Caulk* *Putty knife*
The seal (or clamp) is broken, or the damper is free inward the duct	Replace or install a duct clamp to shut the infinite between the damper in addition to the duct. To install the clamp, merely place it around the damper together with tighten using a flathead screwdriver. If your ducts are aluminum, you volition involve to function HVAC tape instead of a clamp to avoid crushing the duct.	Installing a duct clamp How to role HVAC record	*AC Infinity duct clamps* *Flathead screwdriver* *HVAC record*
Duct blockage	Hold the blades of the backdraft damper open up. If at that place is an object blocking the damper or duct, remove it. If not, cleaning the duct may aid. You tin can hire person to do this for $467 on average (USA). Refer to the linked video demonstrating a detailed process for cleaning ducts yourself.	How to clean air ducts	*Duct cleaning kit*
The damper needs to be replaced (blades are bent, pitted, or cracked)	If none of these strategies resolve the job, yous volition necessitate to supervene upon the damper. Remove the screws, record, seal, or anything else keeping it inwards place. To install the novel damper, refer to the ‘How to install a Backdraft Damper’ department of this article.	Back Draft Damper	*air-conditioning Infinity backdraft damper*