Chimney Balloon fireplace damper

How to prepare a Chimney Balloon to install it high into the flue?

Q: Jason, I have two chimneys and I am not using them. I just bought the house so I don't plan on using them this year at least. My heater is always on like every 10-20 minutes and as soon as the heater is off the house gets cold quick. I think that my chimneys are causing the heat loss.

I measured my chimney chute/hole and it looks like 12x6 (LxW). The problem is that it is about 36 inches up to reach this small 12x6 hole. I plan on getting a 36" extender and two 15x9 ballon, is that a good size? Please let me know. - AX

A: HI AX, Yes, you did size this application up well. A 36 HEK and a 9x15 should go into your flue tile nicely. You will want to pre-fluff the chimney balloon when you go to do this higher install though.

Pre-fluffing means to separate the top and bottom membranes of the balloon and crumple in the sides in, so effectively you are crumpling the balloon material up on top of the handle valve. This gets the balloon material to stand proud of the handle, but without adding air volume into the balloon. (See image at left)

Take the balloon with the extender attached and align the crumpled balloon material into the 12x6 spot you want to fill, then put a big puff of air in it. The sides of the balloon will pop out horizontally and fill the cavity. If the balloon starts to tip when you put in this initial puff of air, remove the balloon and squeezee the air out of it and try again.

Once you are sure the balloon is going in horizontally top it off with a little more air and close the valve on the bottom of the HEK extender. Higher installs can be a little tricky, so if you have any questions give us a call right away. - Jason

 

 

I want to install a Chimney Balloon 4 feet up in my chimney.

Q: Following the instructions on this site our placement for a chimney balloon would be roughly 4 feet above the metal damper in a space that is roughly 12x12. I am planning to purchase a 15x15 balloon, but is there an HEX extension long enough for placement and inflation of the balloon?- RM

A: Dear RM, It sounds like you are trying to size a Chimney Balloon in your first chimney tile area. We do make 36" long custom HEK Extenders, but I think you will find it much easier to measure and install a Chimney Balloon in a lower location if possible.

What you are looking for in your flue is an area about 7" or 8" in height that has roughly parallel walls on at least 2 opposing sides, and is out of the way of the damper hardware.
Knowing that description, is there an area just above or below your damper that may be a better location to measure? Call us at 608-467-0229 for a little more guidance. - Jason