Do I need to close my damper after I install a Chimney Balloon?

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 could anyway. So closing the damper after the Chimney balloon is installed is like closing a screen door on the inside of a submarine.

However, You can have the damper closed if you have the Chimney Balloon in there far enough to close it. There are a few things to keep in mind though if you do decide to close the damper. If you try to force the damper closed it may put upward pressure on the valve section of your Chimney Balloon. That is a little tough on your Chimney Balloon since it puts undue pressure on the valve and Chimney Balloon.

The other issue is if you close your damper you may forget you installed the Chimney Balloon and just open the damper and start a fire.

Personally, I leave my damper open and leave the inflation tube attached, so it dangles just above my head when I open the glass doors to the fireplace. With this solution, I still have no draft problem and I haven’t accidentally melted a Chimney Balloon yet. – Jason

Do I close the damper after installing the Chimney Balloon?

Do I close the damper after installing the Chimney Balloon?

Fall & Winter

Q: Do I close the chimney damper after installing the Chimney Balloon? – SR

A: You can have the damper closed if you have the Chimney Balloon installed up in the chimney far enough to close the damper and clear the damper hardware. But doing this is kind of like making sure to close your screen door when your heavy storm door is already closed. The screen door (damper) is not holding much back, the storm door (Chimney Balloon) is doing the bulk of the work.

There are a few things to keep in mind though if you do decide to close the damper.

1) When you inflate the Chimney Balloon make sure to install it as high above the damper as you can comfortably reach after it is snugly in place remove the long clear inflation tube from the valve handle and store the inflation tube.

2) If you try to force the damper closed and the Chimney Balloon is not high enough, it may put upward pressure on the valve section that is sealed to the Chimney Balloon portion. That is a little tough on your Chimney Balloon since it puts constant undue pressure on the valve and balloon seal.

3) The other issue is if you close your damper you may forget you installed the Chimney Balloon and just open the damper and start a fire. So make sure you put the red reminder card that is included with your Chimney Balloon in a very visible place, like on the burning grate or by the gas spigot lever.

I leave my damper open and leave the inflation tube attached so it dangles just above my head when I open the glass doors to the fireplace. With this solution, I still have no draft problem since the Chimney Balloon seals the flue tighter than my metal flapper damper ever did. – SR