Can I use an air compressor or tank to inflate a Chimney Balloon?
Newspaper Q: Jason, I know you recommend using an air bed inflation pump but can I use an air compressor or holding tank to inflate a Chimney Balloon? - MM A: Dear MM, I can appreciate your question, but I still recommend an air bed inflation pump or even a shop vac...
How can a home inspector or energy auditor use a Chimney Balloon to solve fireplace downdrafts?
Energy audit Q: Jason, I have a wood burning fireplace with a cozy great heater insert. I have a top of the Chimney Balloon and traditional damper installed. I have bad downdrafts and soot smell on rainy, windy days. I am a Home Inspector and I am in the middle of a...
After 1 year it is still stopping the smokey fireplace smell.
FirePlace Dear Jason, We have used the Chimney Balloon for over a year now and it is like a weight lifted off our shoulders. We have tried many things to get rid of the smokey smell from our fireplace. We had even duct taped plastic sheeting over it. That worked for...
My fireplace gives me a headache, what should I do?
My fireplace Q: Jason, I have a problem when I use my fireplace-Initially, smoke was occasionally coming in and I would feel very sick from the fumes- headaches, dizzy, nauseous. We had an expert come out and inspect it- he capped off an older part of the chimney that...
How can I tell if I have a vented or vent-free (ventless) gas logs?
Q: Jason, I bought my Virginia home about 3 yrs ago, and have never thought about the amount of heat / ac leaving the home until seeing a "home energy saving" piece on the local news. They recommended using a "Chimney Pillow" as a possible solution. So, I came to your...
Will a Chimney Balloon work to seal off a fireplace chimney that has a top damper and cable coming down the flue?
Cable Coming Down the Flue Q: Jason, I have a 113-year-old house with 6 fireplaces ... they were originally coal-burning units .. they all have the damper on the top of the chimney ... will the Chimney Ballon work with that configuration? -GB A: Dear GB, WOW 6...
Gas Fireplace Troubleshooting
Gas Fireplace Troubleshooting What is a Gas Fireplace? A gas fireplace emulates a real fireplace while burning either propane or natural gas instead of wood. There are two types of gas fireplaces. Some are vented and some are ventless. Vented gas fireplaces are very...
Can I plug my vent free gas log chimney with a Chimney Balloon to keep the heat in the house?
Plug My Vent Free Gas Log Chimney Q: Jason, I have a set of non-vented gas logs which when not in use lets a horrible downflow of cold air in from outside. I saw an old thread that said the Chimney Balloon will deflate when installing near the damper if it is exposed...
How can I stop dust and ash from coming in the house through the chimney?
Dust and Ash Q: Jason, I rent a very old house - built 1927 and I have 5 unused chimneys. Besides helping with the drafts and the odors - will the Chimney Balloon also stop some of the dust that is coming in through the old chimneys? - EL A: Hi EL, Yes, The Chimney...
Is it possible to over inflate a Chimney Balloon, how can you tell it has enough air in it?
Overinflate a Chimney Balloon Q: Is it possible to over-inflate the Chimney Balloon? How do you know when you have blown in a sufficient amount of air?- DC A: Hi DC, The Chimney Balloon should be a little springy (not drum tight) when inflated. If it is inflated...
My fireplace is cold and it doesn’t have a damper at all, should I convert it to a gas fireplace?
Bath Yellow Fireplace Q: Jason, My wife and I recently bought a fixer-upper and are almost ready to move in. We knew that we had to do some work to our brick wood burning fireplace, and have been really swaying toward putting in a gas direct vent insert. When I looked...
My damper is 4 feet up the chimney and has a pull chain to open it and vents in the flue wall underneath.
Q: Jason, I have two issues. The website indicates that the chimney pillow should go above the damper. Our damper is about 4 feet up the chimney chute. It's attached to a chain and when open, the damper bisects the flue in an up and down position. Would we still...