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Majestic SR42A fireplace with a loose damper fit.

Majestic SR42A fireplace with a loose damper fit.

by | May 8, 2019 | Fireplaces

Q: Jason, I have a Majestic SR42A 42″ prefab wood-burning fireplace with gas logs.  The damper is 8″ round and opens/swivels in the middle of the circle.  The firebox is a trapezoid with approximate dimensions of 24 X 33 with the sides being 15″.

There is a front “panel” that seems to be angled inward making the 15″ sides taller at the top and smaller at the bottom. There seems to be sufficient room between the damper and the top of the fireplace opening (9″) for a larger Chimney balloon.  The front panel may also make a good “shelf” for the Chimney Balloon to rest on.
I’m wondering if the best bet is to go with a smaller Chimney Balloon and install it above the damper with the extender or get a bigger Chimney Balloon and install it under the damper, in the trapezoid firebox area.  My preference would be for easy installation and removal as we use our fireplace a lot in the winter.  I don’t mind if part of the Chimney Balloon or pole shows. – CA
A: Dear CA, You have a couple of choices in how to install your Chimney Balloon.
Option 1: If you plan on putting in the Chimney Balloon and leaving it (ie. not using this fireplace much) than I would suggest you get a 9×9 and put it above the damper with an HEK extender. This configuration will get your Chimney Balloon up and out of sight from the firebox area and it will give you a nice tight seal in the flue area.
Option 2: If you will use this gas log fireplace regularly and you are looking for the easiest place to install a Chimney Balloon to take it in and out. I would recommend you get a 36×15 Chimney Balloon and install it right in the firebox below the damper. When your damper is closed the handle will be up and out of the way and you have a nice trapezoidal spot there that is 9″ tall to put the Chimney Balloon in. The only downside is that you may be able to see the Chimney Balloon a little bit in the firebox. Also, you will want to be careful of the sharp edges on the damper handle bracket that I see in this picture that holds the damper up when it is closed. Those brackets can have a sharp edge on the tip of them so you may want to put a piece of tape over that spot so you can get maximum longevity out of your Chimney Balloon. Sharp spots like that can tend to wear out the Chimney Balloon early if you are installing and uninstalling regularly. – Jason
Afternote: This customer decided to purchase the 36×15 Chimney Balloon.

How do I seal a zero clearance Majestic brand fireplace so it isnt so drafty?

How do I seal a zero clearance Majestic brand fireplace so it isnt so drafty?

by | Aug 1, 2018 | Chimney Plugs

Zero clearance Majestic brand fireplace

Q: We have a zero clearance fireplace manufactured by Majestic. I’ve tried another fireplace product which is supposed to fit at the top of the firebox to cover the flue. It did not fit properly because there are two metal “fins” that extend downward from the top of the firebox on either side of the flue. Does your product work with zero clearance fireplaces?

P.S. Was glad to read the question and answer about burning candles while the Chimney Balloon is in use. Thanks for the info!- TP

A: Dear TP, The Chimney Balloon does work with Zero Clearance fireplaces like the Majestic model you are referring to. As a matter of fact, I am using a 9×9 Chimney Balloon in a Majestic Zero clearance fireplace in my own living room.

Since the Chimney Balloon is installed up into the flue you can get it up past these fins and inflate it into place. I would recommend though that you use an HEK extender with your Chimney Balloon since the fins are so obtrusive in this model fireplace. Give us an email or a call if you have any more questions. – Jason

Followup: Just wanted to follow up to say that the 9×9 Chimney Balloon fit my zero clearance perfectly. This has made a major difference in the drafts attributable to our fireplace. Thanks for a terrific product!- TP

Reply: Hi TP, Thank you for checking back with us. I’m glad everything worked out so well for your application. It is a relatively simple fix with a Chimney Balloon. – Jason[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

#5: I Have a Square Drop-Down Trapdoor Damper and a Round Flue Pipe. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#5: I Have a Square Drop-Down Trapdoor Damper and a Round Flue Pipe. How Do I Plug the Flue?

by | Aug 21, 2017 | Fireplaces

#5: I Have a Square Drop-Down Trapdoor Damper and a Round Flue Pipe. How Do I Plug the Flue?

5-1 Closed Square Trapdoor Side-Hinge Damper

5-2 Open Square Trapdoor Side-Hinge Damper

Fireplace #5: Square Trapdoor Side-Hinged Damper Covering a Round Flue

So you saw the square damper, and I bet you thought you had a square flue. Surprise! it is covering a round flue pipe! This is one of the easiest of all the fireplaces to plug, because the damper drops out of the way, and you get a clear shot at the round chimney. These sheet metal dampers are often fitted on Majestic or Superior brand zero-clearance pre-fabricated fireplaces. These were popular in the 70’s and early 80’s, and it is hard to get damper parts for them anymore.  The sheet metal often warps so bad that they drop open on their own.

Wood Burning Fireplace Users:

Open the damper and make a diameter measurement of the hole just above the damper (image 5-2), then buy a Flueblocker that will fit in that hole. Or buy one that is a bit big for the hole, since you can then trim it down to fit with a sharp pair of scissors. Here are some examples:

Example 1:  You measure 8” diameter = You buy a 9” Round Flueblocker
Example 2: You measure 9” diameter = You buy a 9” Round Flueblocker
Example 3: You measure a 11” diameter = You buy a 12” Round Flueblocker

Flueblockers are physically a little bit larger than their labeled size. This is so they can press in to fit and hold in place by pressure tension. To install, you just press it right into place into the round chimney flue. It is up to you if you want to close the damper below the plug.

IMPORTANT! ESPECIALLY FOR FORGETFUL PEOPLE!:

If you close the damper below the Flueblocker, mark the fireplace VERY CLEARLY that the chimney is plugged. It is easy to forget about the Flueblocker up above the damper. You MUST open the damper AND remove the Flueblocker to use the fireplace.

Gas Log Users:

If you have a gas log set in this fireplace, you have a decision to make. Here are your two options:

  • You can turn off the gas line to this fireplace and put in a small 9×9 or 12×12 Chimney Balloon just above the damper. So if a house guest fires up the gas logs without asking, he won’t back up exhaust fumes into the house. The Chimney Balloon will burst and fall out, since it is designed to do that. The downside to this, is the Chimney Balloon is an inflatable and not as durable as a Flueblocker.
  • You can turn off the gas line and remove the gas log set and then put in a Flueblocker. DO NOT light a fire under the Flueblocker. If you do light a fire under a Flueblocker bad things happen…enough said.

Gas logs are a separate conversation. We also have an article on how gas logs can poison you or pick your pocket over time.

# 4: I Have a Round Drop-down Trapdoor Style Damper. How do I Plug the Round Flue Pipe?

# 4: I Have a Round Drop-down Trapdoor Style Damper. How do I Plug the Round Flue Pipe?

by | Aug 21, 2017 | Chimney Plugs, Fireplaces

# 4: I Have a Round Drop-down Trapdoor Style Damper. How do I Plug the Round Flue Pipe?

4-1 Open Flue Pipe above a Round Side-Hinged Damper

4-2 Closed Round Trap-door Side-Hinged Damper

4-3 9×9 Chimney Balloon installed in a Majestic Fireplace

Fireplace #4: Round Trapdoor Side-Hinged Damper Covering a Round Flue

This is the easiest of all the fireplaces to plug. The damper drops out of the way, and you get a clear shot at the round chimney flue. These sheet metal dampers are often fitted on Majestic or Superior brand zero-clearance pre-fabricated fireplaces. These were popular in the 70’s and early 80’s, and it is hard to get damper parts for them anymore.  The sheet metal doors often warp, then the asbestos ring falls off the edge of the door.  At that point they drop open on their own.

Wood Burning Fireplace Users:

Open the damper and make a diameter measurement of the hole just above the damper (image 4-1), then buy a Flueblocker that will fit in that hole. Or buy one that is a bit big for the hole, since you can then trim it down to fit with a sharp pair of scissors. Here are some examples:

Example 1:  You measure 8” diameter = You buy a 9” Round Flueblocker

Example 2: You measure 9” diameter = You buy a 9” Round Flueblocker

Example 3: You measure a 11” diameter = You buy a 12” Round Flueblocker

Flueblockers are physically a little bit larger than their labeled size. This is so they can press in to fit and hold in place by pressure tension. When yours arrives you just press it right into place into the round chimney flue. It is up to you if you want to close the damper below the plug.

IMPORTANT! ESPECIALLY FOR FORGETFUL PEOPLE!:
If you close the damper below the Flueblocker, mark the fireplace VERY CLEARLY that the chimney is plugged. It is easy to forget about the Flueblocker up above the damper. You MUST open the damper AND remove the Flueblocker to use the fireplace.

Gas Log Users: If you have a gas log set in this fireplace, you have a decision to make.

Here are your two options:

  • You can turn off the gas line to this fireplace and put in a small 9×9 or 12×12 Chimney Balloon just above the damper. This way if you have a house guest that fires up the gas logs without asking, he won’t back up exhaust fumes into the house. The Chimney Balloon will burst and fall out since it is designed to do that. The downside to this, is the Chimney Balloon is an inflatable and not as durable as a Flueblocker.
  • You can turn off the gas line and remove or permanently disable the gas log set and then put in a Flueblocker. Do NOT light a fire under a Flueblocker. If you do light a fire under a Flueblocker fumes backup into the house and bad things happen…enough said.

Gas logs are a separate conversation. We also have an article on how gas logs can poison you or pick your pocket over time.