After a long time, the Chimney Balloon fell down out of the chimney

After a long time, the Chimney Balloon fell down out of the chimney

Large Chimney

Q: Jason – I bought a Chimney Balloon at the end of March 2006. It was working fine until recently when it fell out of the chimney. I have reinflated it and replaced it in the chimney on 3 occassions but it keeps falling out. I believe that it has a slow air leak of some sort. What should I do? I do not belive that I still have the receipt. – MA

A: MA – It is very possible that this Chimney Balloon has developed a slow leak. Sometimes a sharp point on the damper hardware or a pointy outcropping in the masonry of the flue can agitate its way through the Chimney Balloon membrane layers over an extended period of time. This is especially true if you have extrodinary negative pressure in your home or a whole house fan. This actually creates a suction on the Chimney Balloon that can chafe it little by little until it causes a puncture. The good news is this is rather easy to remedy. Remove your Chimney Balloon and inflate it fully as you hold it in your hand. Look for any obviouse puncture spots and hold that spot near your cheek to see if you can sense airflow from that spot. If you do find a puncture use a piece of Packaging tape cut into an oval or circular shape (if you leave it in a square shape the corners can come loose) take that tape patch and put it directly over the puncture spot. This type of patch also works if you don’t have a puncture but if you wish to reinforce a certain area of the Chimney Balloon that may come in contact with sharp or abrasive hardware. Test your Chimney Balloon by keeping it inflated and out of your fireplace for 24 hours. If it doesnt loose any air then you have been sucessful. If you choose to… you can also send the Chimney Balloon to the returns department for a replace or repair. Send the Chimney Balloon to this address: Chimney Balloon USA Attn: Returns Dept 2123 N Pontiac Drive Janesville, WI 53545 Send only the Chimney Balloon itself (not the inflation tube or the instruction card) and a note saying you request a repair or replacement and describe the trouble you have been having with your current Chimney Balloon and the corrective actions you have already taken. Also include your address and contact info or your original reciept. The returns department will get back to you promptly. – Jason