Chimney Balloon Flue Cable
Q: Jason – Can I install a Chimney Balloon just above my fireplace damper opening if I have a cable going through the flue up to the chimney top lymance damper? Right above the damper, the cable is about 3″ away from the wall of the flue. The trouble I am having with my current damper is the fireplace is smelly and it stinks like the campfire all the time, even when I haven’t had a fire for months. – GJ
A: GJ, Yes it is possible to install a Chimney Balloon with a lock-top cable on the side of the flue. The Chimney Balloon will wrap around the cable as it inflates, but it takes some planning to apply the Chimney Balloon properly. Here are 3 steps to keep in mind.
Step 1) When you measure above your flue buy a Chimney Balloon that is a little oversized. For Example, If the cable is 3 inches away from the side of the flue buy a Chimney Balloon that is 3″ too big in both width and length.
Step 2) Carefully, feel the cable before you install the Chimney Balloon. It may be sharp so be careful. If it feels frayed or pokey or flat on one edge then you will have to wrap it with some tape to protect the Chimney Balloon. If you don’t, the cable will poke or cut into the Chimney Balloon as it envelopes the cable, since that tight cable can cut like a knife.
Step 3) DO NOT open and close your lock top damper with the Chimney Balloon in place. If you do this the cable will saw into the Chimney Balloon.
The picture above is a photo of a customers damper with a Chimney Balloon that has a cable for a lock-top (you can see the cable on the lower left side of the picture.)