Make a HEK Extender longer? Can I buy a longer HEK handle extender for my Chimney Balloon?

Make a HEK Extender longer? Can I buy a longer HEK handle extender for my Chimney Balloon?

PVC Tube

Q: Jason, The opening immediately above my fireplace damper is large, but it tapers down to a 12″ oval flue. The round flue is 40″ from the top of the damper. Problem is that your extender is only 16″ long. Can you put two of the extenders together, or make a custom long extender? -TJ

A: TJ, Working in your fireplace can be a messy business. So don’t forget those safety glasses.

That said, there are “unofficial” ways to get a 16″ extender to reach further. Keep in mind what I am about to share is not manufacturer approved modifications for your Chimney Balloon or extender.

Some people daisy chain two extenders together, and this is perfectly acceptable.

Other customers have been known to disassemble their extender and reassemble it with a longer PVC tube section (see image at left) since the extender tube section is the same ID as a standard 5/8″ ID PVC pipe often used in electrical conduit. Sometimes these tricks work and sometimes they don’t. The image here was sent to us from a customer, and it was about 4.5 feet long. It was difficult to get in the fireplace opening. If you do decide to modify your own extender don’t make it more than 32″ long. But again this is a non-approved modification. – Jason

How do I reach and close the valve to my Chimney Balloon when i am installing it in my prefab fireplace?

How do I reach and close the valve to my Chimney Balloon when i am installing it in my prefab fireplace?

Chimney Balloon Cropped

Q: Jason, I purchased two Chimney Balloons. I have two zero clearance fireplaces and there is no way to put the Chimney Balloon above the damper and still be able to reach the air valve. I am disappointed in this design. I can’t be the first person to have this problem, so please tell me how to make this work. – KB

A: Dear KB, I have a prefab zero clearance fireplace in my home just like yours. These fireplaces tend to have higher dampers and a higher location that is easy to put a Chimney Balloon in. This is the very reason we sell the HEK extender for the Chimney Balloon. If we just made the handle longer in the general design of the Chimney Balloon then it would be too long for most applications and it would make the Chimney Balloon more visible when installed. So the Chimney Balloon Handle valve HEK extender is the ticket for you to have an easier go of using your Chimney Balloon. – Jason