Do I install a Chimney Balloon high in the chimney or low by the damper?
Where to Measure a Heatelator Pre-Fab Fireplace Jason, I have a fireplace in our basement that I want to plug since we do not use it. There is a metal damper that operated on a hand crank just 3" above the fireplace opening. However, about 14" above the damper is an...
I want to install a Chimney Balloon 4 feet up in my chimney.
Q: Following the instructions on this site our place for a Chimney Balloon would be roughly 4 feet above the metal damper in a space that is roughly 12x12. I am planning to purchase a 15x15 Chimney Balloon, but is there a HEX extension long enough for placement and...
Do I need to close my damper after I install a Chimney Balloon?
Q: Do I close the chimney damper after installing the Chimney Balloon?- JJ A: Dear JJ, There is no need to close the damper below your Chimney Balloon. The Chimney Balloon is doing the job of the damper and quite frankly it is doing a better job than the metal damper...
How can I get maximum life from a Chimney Balloon?
Q: Jason, I couldn't find information about deflating the Chimney Balloon in order to have a fire. About how many times can you inflate and deflate the Chimney Balloon? Thanks, KW A: Dear KW, Deflating a Chimney Balloon is a simple process. If it is a small Chimney...
Do I need a damper to use a chimney balloon, or can I just install it in a open flue?
Q: Jason, I'm originally from Florida and don't know anything about fireplaces. I just bought a house in Utah and there is a very ugly wood burning furnace/insert in the fireplace. We plan to eventually put a gas insert there because air quality is bad in Salt Lake...
On warmer days and rainy days, we have a strong smoke burnt smell from the fireplace insert.
Q: Jason, On warmer winter days and rainy days, we have a strong smoke smell in the house. We have a fireplace insert. Would the Chimney Balloon help with this problem?- SQ A: Dear SQ, The first thing you can do to cut down on smoke smell during the humid days is...
Why do I have smoke in my basement when I use the upstairs fireplace?
Q: Jason, We have a 2 sided fireplace on the ground floor of our house and a 3 sided fireplace in the basement. Our house was insulated from electric heat. When we have a fire in one fireplace we get smoke coming back into the house through the other one. Would a...
My Chimney Balloon is deflating on me, what should I do?
Q: Jason, Just purchased a Chimney Balloon but it keeps deflating. Lots of cold air coming down my pre-fab fireplace which I never intend to use. No obvious rip in the Chimney Balloon and it stays inflated when not up until the flue. Could too much cold air be the...
Can I plug my chimney flue when I am using vent free gas logs?
Q: I have a set of gas logs that are un-vented. Am I able to use the Chimney Balloon to completely seal off the outside air and use the fireplace at the same time? I have a damper and would keep it closed, but I would be afraid the "auto-deflate" option might kick in...
Majestic SR42A fireplace with a loose damper fit.
Q: Jason, I have a Majestic SR42A 42" prefab wood-burning fireplace with gas logs. The damper is 8" round and opens/swivels in the middle of the circle. The firebox is a trapezoid with approximate dimensions of 24 X 33 with the sides being 15". There is a front...
Colonial Chimney Question?
Q: Jason, My house has a standard colonial Chimney made in 1796. What size chimney do i have and what size Chimney Balloon should I use? - JS A: Dear JS, Unfortunately, there is really no way I can estimate a size Chimney Balloon you would need without seeing the...
The smoke shelf in my chimney is too deep!
Q:Jason, My fireplace chimney is very unusual since the flue is so far forward and the smoke shelf or smoke chamber is so deep. There is no place to put the Chimney Balloon that has parallel walls before the 8x18 tile flue. Do you see any options that may be easier to...