PSA: I found a weird trick for stuck damper plates in old brick chimneys

Last month in a 1920s house in Pasadena, the damper was completely seized with rust. I tried the usual penetrating oil and gentle tapping for an hour with no luck. On a hunch, I mixed a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, soaked the hinge area, let it sit for 15 minutes, and it broke free with minimal force. Has anyone else tried a homemade solution like this, or do you stick with commercial products?

2 comments

2 Comments

bettyrodriguez17d ago

Honestly I always bought the expensive rust removers. Your vinegar trick worked way better on my old fireplace last week.

richardk2617d ago

Glad it worked for you but vinegar can actually damage some metals over time. The acid eats away at the good metal along with the rust. Those store bought products are made to stop that reaction. For something you care about, the right chemical is worth the cash.