by blogediter | Apr 14, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Plugging a skylight chute
Q: Jason, I understand the application of a Chimney Balloon is to plug a Chimney flue but is it possible to plug a skylight chute with a Chimney Balloon?
I have this skylight on my roof that leaks in cold air like crazy. When you stand under the skylight in the winter you can actually feel the cold air fall on you, so I can imagine the heat I am loosing is significant.
I have looked high and low for a plug for this skylight chute since I really need to plug it, but I don’t want to remove it. Can I get a Chimney Balloon made that will fit this application? I drew a diagram of the chute (see images) – TR
A: Dear TR, This is a bit unorthodox use of a Chimney Balloon, but yes you can use it to plug a skylight chute. The membrane of a Chimney Balloon will degrade a little more rapidly with the exposure to the UV rays, but if you wanted to diminish that impact you could put a UV film on the skylight before installing the Chimney Balloon. Also, we will make the interior retainer ring out of Viton since our regular rubber retainers will also degrade with exposure to UV.
A custom 22×49 would be the right size according to your diagrams. Go a few inches oversized in length since the chute wall slopes out – Jason
by blogediter | Apr 11, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Since we’ve already done our measurement and we know we have a 9-inch Rome flue, we know also that we would use a standard size Chimella.
The Chimella is very durable and it installs with a push of a button. It also uninstalls with a push button. You can recapture it.
You have to put the Chimella in pass the damper and then hit the up button and then reach up and push the collar forward to tighten up the Chimella lock. Tighten up the collar to make sure it’s a snug fit.
by blogediter | Apr 11, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Since we’ve already done our measurement and we know we have a 9-inch round flue, we can use a 9-inch round Flueblocker.
The Flueblocker is a one-inch thick wool disc that’s sewn together with an air barrier into the middle.
You prepare it by screwing in the handle. It’s very durable and it’s easy to take in and out.
by blogediter | Apr 11, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Chimney Balloon is a 9 x 9 Chimney balloon inside of a 9-inch round tube.
You attach the inflation tube to the bottom and then prepare the material by pulling up on the white cap and stretching the sides. After you do the your measurement that means you would use a 9×9 Chimney Balloon.
Take out one Chimney Balloon out of the package and connect up the inflat tube and then prepare the Chimney Balloon by grabbing hold of the white cap on top pulling the chimney balloon up and scrunching in the side.
When you have the blue wadded up in one hand, we can go into the chimney and tuck it past the flue damper. Take the Chimney Balloon and put it in past the flue and then put a couple of puffs of air into it it and close the valve.
If you need to remove the Chimney Balloon, open up the valve and it will start relaxing. Crumple up and bring it down.
by blogediter | Apr 11, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Measure and install a Chimney Balloon
Q: Who can come out to get the size needed for the installation of the Chimney Balloon? Do they install? – MR
A: Dear MR, If you prefer not to do the sizing and install of a Chimney Balloon yourself, you can have your local chimney sweep, insulation contractor or handyman do it.
It is good to have a chimney cleaned every so often anyway to remove dangerous creosote buildup. When the chimney sweep comes over to clean your chimney you can show him or her the sizing page on this website (or you can email them about it in advance) and they can certainly size a Chimney Balloon up for you according to the directions. It is a very simple measurement, so it should not cost any extra in labor in addition to the cleaning.
Installation of a Chimney Balloon is even easier than measuring for one, but your handyman or chimney sweep can handle that too. That will likely cost you another house call though. – Jason
Side note: I hate to have to admit this about my own industry, but some service contractors use a simple house-call to upsell a customer to death! If your contractor is suggesting a new chimney liner or expensive cap to fix your fireplace problem, get a second or third opinion. We have talked with too many homeowners who have spent thousands on their chimney only to find they could have fixed their problem with a $50 solution.
