My Lock-top or Lymance style damper still lets in a cold draft.
Q: I have a top sealing damper, and I still get a draft from my fireplace. It cost me $550 to get the chimney top damper put on my chimney and it only half solved the problem. Will a $50 Chimney Balloon stop the draft that is still there? - DP A: DP – I remember...
The Carey Bros talk about the Chimney Pillow for a fireplace damper
I love the weekly home improvement column by Jim and Morris Carey (The Carey Brothers). They are nationally-recognized experts on home building and renovation and syndicated columnist as well. Personally, I read their articles every Sunday in the Janesville Gazette....
Can I plug a modern wood stove with a Chimney Balloon when I am not using it?
Q: Dear Jason, Help! I have a very nice EPA rated wood stove that was put in about a year ago. It was installed in my lower level and the trouble is it smells of creosote and smoke smell when I am not using it. I know it is negative pressure bringing the smokey stink...
Can a square Chimney Balloon fit a round chimney flue?
Q: Dear Jason, Do you make a Chimney Balloon for a 10.5" diameter, circular chimney uptake? Your products seem to be made of squares or rectangles. I can't put a square into a round hole and expect a snug fit...or can I? Thank you. RM A: Dear RM, Thank you for your...
Help! Wasps are coming in through my fireplace damper!
Q: Jason, I live in Dallas TX and I have a gas log fireplace. Every fall I get wasps coming in through the fireplace chimney and they make it through the damper into the house. Right now I am running the gas log 24/7 to keep the wasps out, but I know it is going to...
I cannot remove the handle from my fireplace damper
Q: Jason, I am very interested in a Chimney Balloon for my fireplace damper. I have a question that does not appear to be answered in your FAQ's. How do you install a Chimney Balloon with a dampener handle sticking down into the firebox area? I cannot remove the...
Compare and Review of Smoke Pencils and Smoke Puffer Sticks for Air Testing
We did quite a bit of research on Smoke Pencils and smoke sticks before we selected one to be offered through our website. We tested and tried at least one of each variety that is on the market. We ended up going with the Smoke Pencil, but here are the pros and cons...
Will the Chimney Balloon seal both the fireplace and the hearth oven flue in one shot?
Q: Jason, One of the fireplaces in our 1844 house has an oven built into the fireplace hearth face, which we've never used. The oven has a door, and there is a clean-out door below the oven door. Can you make a guess if the Chimney Balloon would seal off the oven as...
Department of Energy Blog Talks about Fireplaces
I was thumbing through the Department of Energy Blog and saw a great article written by Drew Bittner on Fireplaces. I believe the article correctly called out the fireplace on its wasteful ways by saying it is an "a great big hole going to the outdoors". Absolutely...
Clean & Green Energy Stores Opening
Where to Measure a Heatelator Pre-Fab Fireplace Green Energy retail boutique stores are opening online and in brick and mortar all over the US and Canada. These stores offer homeowners tips and product that are used by professional energy raters and insulators to seal...
Unvented gas logs, can I keep a Chimney Balloon in?
Jason - I converted my masonry fireplace with natural gas and installed an unvented gas log set. Can I install a Chimney Balloon above the damper, keeping the damper closed and ignite my gas logs without incurring any damage to the Chimney Balloon? The gas log set is...
Fireplace candles, Can I burn them with a Chimney Balloon installed?
Jason - If the Chimney Balloon fireplace damper is inserted in the flue can you still burn candles in the fireplace? Thanks! - NC Dear NC, The answer to this questions is a definitive...sometimes. You see, the Chimney Balloon is designed to burst and release at right...