What if you buy a Chimney Balloon that is too big?

What if you buy a Chimney Balloon that is too big?

Chimney Balloon too big

Q: Jason – According to the attached picture do you think I bought a Chimney Pillow that is too big? – GJ

A: GJ, You absolutely bought a Chimney Balloon that was too big. I would say it is at least 6″ too big in 2 dimensions by the look of it. It is hard to tell the dimensions from a picture like this, but I am willing to bet that is a 9″x9″ flue passage that you stuffed a 15×15 Chimney Ballon into. You would be much better served by using a 9×9 Chimney Balloon for this particular spot. But you did do the right thing by purchasing an HEK extender to install your Chimney Balloon so high in the flue. Without the extender, you would have had a terrible time getting the Chimney Balloon that high.

Actually, you may want to consider using a larger Chimney Balloon closer down to where your damper was. I see you had your damper cut off when you had the lock top damper installed. I can tell you have a locktop Lymance chimney top damper by the cable that runs along the side of your flue. The Chimney Balloon will inflate around the cable just fine, but be sure to wrap some tape around the cable where it will come in contact with the Chimney Balloon. Cables like this often have rough frayed edges that will poke into the Chimney Balloon when you inflate it into place.

Note: This customer ended up with a 36×15 Chimney Balloon that was easier to install lower by the flue opening. Read more on this at this link on How to install a Chimney Balloon where there is a locktop damper cable in the flue.

Can I install a Chimney Balloon in a chimney that has a cable in the flue for a chimney top damper?

Can I install a Chimney Balloon in a chimney that has a cable in the flue for a chimney top damper?

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.)