fireplace damper help
 

GF moved into a house where the fireplace deco was redone and they lost the damper control rod so now there is no way to control the damper from outside the fireplace. It opens by hand by pulling the lever towards yourself and closes by pushing the lever towards the back of the fireplace. The only way to do this, is to kneel down and reach way up into the opening to be able to grab the lever and it will not stay closed due to the weight of the damper door so I have to wrap a tie wrap around it or such to keep it closed when not in use. I have gone in person to two different fireplace companies and searched everywhere online and cannot find any place online that sells fireplace hardware to simply buy some type of rod/mechanism to use as a pull rod to activate the damper like it originally had. I'm guessing I'll have to make something? Anybody got any other ideas?

Huh, I've only ever experienced where you had to kneel down and reach up inside so that seems normal, but I would expect it to latch or stay up or down by itself. Photo?

masonry fireplace?

https://aboveandbeyondchimneyservice.../08/damper.jpg

https://smile.amazon.com/Vestal-Poker-Style-Control-For-Dampers/dp/B075V9L9PD/ref=sr_1_37?keywords=fireplace+damper+control+rod& qid=1636764650&sr=8-37

Every fire place Ive ever had has had some type of rod or lever that actuates the damper from outside the fireplace. But anyway, yes, I will have to make something it appears. A few challenges would be that the rod has to be pulled straight out and in, meaning when the fireplace is operating, the rod will stick straight out about "12-14 inches, and then i will need something to hold the rod in place when its closed so the weight of the damper wont push the rod back out.. hmmmm.

Walmart?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/P-3-Poker-Style-Damper-Handle/107427690?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1815&& adid=22222222227090303304&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=537 135418755&wl4=pla-385926937647&wl5=9010781&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl 10=113500804&wl11=online&wl12=107427690&veh=sem&gc lid=CjwKCAiAp8iMBhAqEiwAJb94zxGLjIUdT-OF69Cvk9BAgXJSBtOOceFzq31zrQhxBulTl7K5kP_L1BoCuesQ AvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Another source?
https://www.shopchimney.com/chimney-dampers/