by blogediter | Apr 17, 2019 | Fireplaces
Q: Jason, I spoke to you on the phone about my double sided fireplace. There is about 3.5″ from the bottom of the flue to the top of the arched opening into the family room. The dims are 42″ x 27.5″. None of your customer sizes looked like they would work. Can i get one 45″ x 31″? How much(go easy on me)? I live in Ohio. – KK
A: Dear KK, I would go for the exact size that you need since these large Chimney Balloons can be pricey. A 42×27 Chimney Balloon is a rather large Custom Chimney Balloon. I put that size on our Chimney Balloon custom page for you in case this is what you decide to do. Here is a link to the 42×27 order page, it costs $139.99.
You may find a better location to install a Chimney Balloon if you look for a spot with parallel walls either above or below the damper. Keep in mind you can use an HEK handle extender to install the Chimney Balloon higher. Large Chimney Balloons are difficult to make properly and require a lot of material so they do cost more than the smaller models. – Jason
by blogediter | Jan 30, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Mikes Chimney
Q: Jason, We are trying to measure our chimney interior, but it is definitely impossible for us to get an accurate measurement. I personally thought it was about 24″ x 15″, while my financée thinks it’s 16″ x 14″…
We need to guess because we cannot reach the part where it begins to shrink in size. Nor will be able to stand in the chimney to place the Chimney Balloon inside. Currently, the only option we have is to lay on our back and reach upwards…Any suggestions?
We just moved into this house last month, and have realized that there is no damper. I personally noticed this when we got an $1100 oil bill after only 3 weeks..so all our heat escapes straight out the chimney. Any suggestions?
Also, the shape of our chimney is not at all like any of the examples you have on your site. How do we get some help on sizing, and learn exactly where to place the chimney pillow. We would like to get this in place as soon as possible, as it’s REALLY cold this time of year! Would it help if I drew an approximation of what our chimney looks like, and sent that your way to help? An immediate response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks-OTCR
A: OTCR-That drawing was very helpful, thank you. I have a few more questions for you before I answer with the best location. Is the inside surface of the chimney a rough material like brick or is it metal lining? Down near the base (the bottom of your drawing) is that the hearth opening? Does the top of the hearth have parallel walls? Regarding the lip drawn at the bottom of the drawing, is that a ridge at the top of the hearth? – Jason
Q: Jason – The chimney is definitely brick. Here is a scanned copy of what my chimney looks like. the bottom drawing is the view when laying on one’s back and looking up. Does this help with deciding the size and location of the Chimney Balloon?
As for the hearth, or what I believe you’re asking, there is a lip and then it opens up again before it becomes narrow. it only looks to be parallel at the very top where the chimney levels off and goes straight up. The bottom picture is exactly what i/we see when I lay on my back and look directly up.
(my fiancée drew the picture!!). I would guess that the opening is almost parallel. – OTCR
A: OTCR- Great, that is the best of all situations for surface texture and location. The slant of the chimney walls will force the top side of the Chimney Balloon downward, and the lip will force the bottom of the Chimney Balloon upward, effectively sandwiching it into place. The texture of the brick will also help the Chimney Balloon grab and seal to the sides of the flue wall.
So, measure the length and depth (width) of the opening just above that lip. When you know what those dimensions are, you can email them to me and I will let you know the size you need. There is a high probability that this will require a standard size Chimney Balloon. But custom sizes are available up to 3 feet by 6 feet in dimension.
Q: Jason – Okay I did the best I could when measuring just above the lip… I got 24 inches (or JUST short of 2 feet) by 14-15, possibly even 16 inches… boy is it cold in there… it’s definitely wasting our heat and we just had a huge snow storm…OTCR
A: OK a custom 24×16 would be the best fit for your fireplace. Unfortunately, it is a custom size that will take 14 days to build but I will get a hurry-up on your order and see if we can get done earlier. I feel very bad for you with that $1100 heating bill. – jason
by blogediter | Nov 5, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Q: I ordered a 18×18 Chimney Balloon on Monday of last week. So it has been 9 days since I placed my order, and I have not received it yet. How long does it take to get a custom Chimney Balloon? – FR
A: Dear FR, It does take 14 days to ship a custom Chimney Balloon from our facility. The balloon has to be built to specification and tested before it is sent. We do try to make that clear by posting on all the custom order pages that “Custom Chimney Balloons require a 14 day build time before shipping.”
Since you order is going to be ready in the next few days here I will track your order personally and email you a USPS delivery confirmation number when your Custom Chimney Balloon is ready to ship. Your custom Chimney Balloon will be well worth the wait, and you will be glad you were patient enough to wait for it.
by blogediter | Jun 20, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Q: Hi Jason, My chimney opening measures 8 1/2? x? 34 inches…there is no damper system now. can I use a standard size or will I need a custom fit? price? – TB
A: TB, The closest standard size Chimney Balloon to your flue opening is a 36″X15″. That is a little more than the 6″ too deep and 2″ too wide. The width won’t be a problem but the depth might be a bit difficult. It will benefit you, in this case, to go ahead and order a custom Chimney Balloon for a 36×9. A 36×15 will certainly work but you will find the custom Chimney Balloon to be easier to install and uninstall. – Jason
by blogediter | Jun 13, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Stuck fireplace damper
Q: Jason,
I’m the guy who talked to you on the phone and had a fireplace damper stuck. Finally got it open. What a pain to lay on your back and look up into the chimney at a stuck fireplace damper. Now I have another reason to hate my fireplace!!
I have two fireplaces. The upstairs fireplace damper is in good shape. The opening immediately above the damper is large, but it tapers down to an ~12″ circular flue. The round flue is 32″ 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?
The downstairs fireplace is the one with the rusted damper. I finally got it to open and now it moves ok. The opening immediately above the damper is ~42″x20″. This tapers down to a circular flue. The flue is on the left side of the fireplace (the two fireplaces share a chimney). I could put a 12×12 chimney plug in the lower fireplace, but the circular opening is 48″ above the top of the damper.
The house was built in California in 1960. It doesn’t match any of your standard sizes. Are the construction details unusual? Can I get a longer extension and use a standard chimney plug? -BE
A: Dear BE,
I’m glad to hear that the damper finally opened up. A stuck damper often requires safety goggles, a whole can of WD-40, some serious elbow grease, and patience.
Lets address the upstairs fireplace first… You can make an HEK extender longer by making some non-authorized adaptations to it. See this article on how to make a longer Chimney Balloon extender: http://www.chimneyballoonusa.com/blog/2007/01/i_talked_with_j.html
An easier solution would be to get the measurements just above the damper in this fireplace and install a Chimney Balloon there at a lower point.
Now, with the downstairs fireplace…If the dimensions are 42×20 in the smoke shelf just above the fireplace damper then that would be the easiest location to install a Chimney Balloon. We do make a custom size 42×20 Chimney Balloon and you can see it on the Custom Chimney Balloon page of the website: http://www.chimneyballoon.us/customchimneyballoon.html
Be sure to call again if you have more questions on how to measure in the smoke shelf area. – Jason
