by blogediter | Jun 1, 2023 | Fireplaces
How to use a chimney plug in my chimney, if my fireplace flue has 4 slanted walls? Does a Chimney Balloon really work in this fireplace, or should I make a DIY chimney plug?
Q: I am trying to use a chimney plug to seal an 11 inch diameter circle damper situation with the rod handle, as you can see in the picture. My goal is to primarily seal the flue from insects and pests and second reason is energy efficiency.
Would you please let me know how to use a chimney plug in my chimney, and which chimney plug and size is best for my damper handle situation. Thanks! – Ibrahim
A: Hi Ibrahim, I would recommend you use the 12″ round Flueblocker above the flue damper. That will work better than a Chimney Balloon in this fireplace. In order to install it, you will tuck the wool pad past the open damper without the handle attached. Then spear the Flueblocker handle into the wool pad clamp and tighten the handle by turning it to thread it into the hole on the clamp. One it is threaded you can use the leverage of the Flueblocker handle to push the wool pad into place above the chimney damper. It will look like the photo below. It will do a great job stopping bugs and drafts. – Jason R
Flueblocker installed above the damper
Contact us if you are wondering how to use a inflatable chimney plug or wool fireplace plug as a chimney draught stopper in my chimney?
by blogediter | May 29, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
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 11″x11″ terra cotta flue tile that I think I can easily get a Chimney Balloon into. The website instructions say to buy a Chimney Balloon that is a little large…should I get a 15×15 or 12×12 Chimney Balloon and should I buy a HEK extender with it? – RW
Dear RW, You sized up this application well and your instinct is right-on to go with a 12×12 with a HEK Extender.
11″x11″ is a very common size flue tile, and experience tells me that a 12×12 Chimney Balloon is the perfect size to plug that flue. Since your flue tile terminates just 14″ above the damper then you can certainly use a HEK extender to get it up there and installed. I have attached some pictures that are similar to your install. – Jason
by blogediter | Mar 1, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Chimney Balloons
The Chimney Balloon has become quite a topic of conversation for green energy and green tech bloggers.
The Chimney Balloon is referred to in so many ways. People call it: “an inflatable baffle, chimney seal, flue baffle, inflatable damper, chimney plug, chimney draft stopper, even a draft dodger!
Here is a link to an article that was written by a very well respected green blogger on the Plant Green website, his name is Josh Peterson:
“…That is where a Chimney Balloon comes in. A Chimney Balloon or Chimney Pillow is a reusable, durable plastic balloon that fits in the chimney under the flue and blocks out the cold air. Inflate the balloon and wedge it up near the flue. A Chimney Balloon can save you about $200-$500 dollars a year in heating costs.
Don’t forget to remove the Chimney Balloon before you start a fire. You should put a note on the fireplace door to remind you that the Chimney Balloon is up there. If exposed to heat, the Chimney Balloon will deflate. I assume it just falls into the fire at that point. It’s like a Chimney Balloon Icarus…” Click here to read the whole article
by blogediter | Feb 16, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Lock Top Damper Cable
Q: Jason, I have a 113-year-old house with 6 fireplaces … they were originally coal-burning units .. they all have the lymance lock top damper on the top of the chimney … will the Chimney Balloon work with that configuration? – GB
A: GB, WOW 6 fireplaces! that has to be some kind of record! It is very wise that you have a chimney top damper on these chimneys, however the chimney top damper still allows the warm air of your home to rise up into the chimney and cool in the chimney and sink back down. You may notice a slow cool release of air from your fireplaces. That cool air is likely not outside air, but just cooled inside air sinking back down again. We have had customers with chimney top dampers that have used the Chimney Balloon on the bottom of their chimney in addition to their top damper and it has made a difference. With 6 chimneys the difference would be significant.
Q: Jason, thanks for the response … one of my concerns is if the damper cable will interfere with the Chimney Balloon sealing property. And if I am using a Chimney Balloon and a lock top damper … could I just use a Chimney Balloon, and not bother with the lock top damper? – GB
A: GB, Recently a homeowner in Detroit asked me the same question you are asking when he ordered 3 Chimney Balloons for his home. He had Lock-top dampers just like you, on all three chimneys as well. After he installed the Chimney Balloon he reported that it sealed just fine despite the chain or cable. The Chimney Balloon simply presses the chain or cable against the flue wall if the cable is relaxed. Or if the cable or chain is tight, the Chimney Balloon will envelop and expand around the cable causing no noticeable leak or draft. To read more on how to deal with the tight cable read this article: http://www.chimneyballoonusa.com/blog/2007/11/my-lock-top-or-.html As for your second question… a Chimney Balloon can work just fine all by itself. – Jason
by blogediter | Feb 8, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Q: I accidentally ignited my gas fireplace under my Chimney Balloon (someone had removed the red reminder card from the gas spigot). It fell out of the chimney within 10 seconds. Can I patch the burn hole in my Chimney Balloon? At what temperature does the Chimney Balloon melt and burst? – JG
A: JG, Well your Chimney Balloon did exactly what it is supposed to do when a fire is lit under it, but unfortunately it is not repairable when melted. The hole is going to be just too big.
The answer to your second question is 180 – 220 degrees Fahrenheit it the average melting point of the Chimney Balloon if it is exposed to flame. Your gas fireplace came up to that temperature very rapidly, as gas fireplaces tend to do. Wood fireplaces tend to get to temperature a little slower, but it doesn’t take long for the Chimney Balloon to sacrifice its life for yours. – Jason
