by blogediter | Jun 27, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Chimney Balloon Cropped
Q: Jason, I purchased two Chimney Balloons. I have two zero clearance fireplaces and there is no way to put the Chimney Balloon above the damper and still be able to reach the air valve. I am disappointed in this design. I can’t be the first person to have this problem, so please tell me how to make this work. – KB
A: Dear KB, I have a prefab zero clearance fireplace in my home just like yours. These fireplaces tend to have higher dampers and a higher location that is easy to put a Chimney Balloon in. This is the very reason we sell the HEK extender for the Chimney Balloon. If we just made the handle longer in the general design of the Chimney Balloon then it would be too long for most applications and it would make the Chimney Balloon more visible when installed. So the Chimney Balloon Handle valve HEK extender is the ticket for you to have an easier go of using your Chimney Balloon. – Jason
by blogediter | May 4, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Heatilator
Q: Hi, I stumbled across your site today, and I am very interested in one of your Chimney Balloons. I have a question. My chimney has a system to take cold air off the floor in front of the hearth, and draw it through some pipes that run through the flue. This warm air is then fan forced out above the fireplace. The question is whether your Chimney Balloon will go between these pipes and the damper, or squeeze through between the pipes, and be inflated above them. I can take a digital picture and send or maybe take some measurements and send those… – CF
A: CF, Most people refer to those systems as heatilators (but that is a brand name.) A deflated Chimney Balloon needs a gap of 2″ to 2.5″ to fit through. Once you are through these pipes you should be good to go. I would suggest using a folding carpenters ruler to measure above the pipes so you can tell how large a Chimney Balloon you need. You may need to consider an extension for your Chimney Balloon if you plan on reaching very far past the heatilator pipes to inflate the Chimney Balloon. The Handle/valve Extender kit (HEK) will give you an extra 16″ of reach to add to your 12″ Chimney Balloon handle. You can see those extenders on the Buy Chimney Balloon page.
Below is an image of one and this is a link to the Chimney Balloon Blog entry on how to use the HEK Extender. http://www.chimneyballoonusa.com/blog/using_a_hek_extender/index.html
by blogediter | Apr 30, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Flue Walls Slant
Q: Inside my fireplace, about 29″ up from above the opening is the damper. Just below the damper and each of the four sides or slit type openings. I do not know why. Maybe for air? I just saw the picture from SH and that is what mine likes like except all 4 sides slant in. It is about 10×10 at the damper. – KT
A: Dear KT, Since the sides slant on all 4 sides we will have to do the install high or low. We can use a HEK extender and a small 12×12 Chimney Balloon to install above the damper, or we can use the ledge that is generally just on the lintel and install a larger 36×15 Chimney Balloon. The lower install is easier but the balloon may be slightly visible from the room. _ Jason
