Where does
the chimney balloon go ?
About a foot up, above the fireplace opening. The front
and back at least must be reasonably parallel.
It
doesn't matter if it is rough or lumpy. If you can stand
inside the chimney, put it above your head,
say about
8ft from the floor where it is often a lot narrower.
Full details are here.
Can I fit it myself ?
Yes, it is a very simple DIY job. The handgrip hanging
down has a tap on the end. Full
details are here.
What is it for ?
It stops chimney draughts, heat loss, soot, debris, birds'
mess, and reduces noise. Full
details are here.
How does it work ?
It's like a plastic pillow. You put it about a foot up
the chimney, holding it by the
handgrip to keep
your hands
clean, inflate it until it grips the chimney walls, and turn
off the tap.
Full details
are here.
Is
there any ventilation ?
There is a curve at one end, which forms 2 little
triangular tunnels, thus giving
just
enough ventilation
to keep the chimney dry without any
draught. It's important to still have some ventilation
within your chimney.
Will it stop rain
water dripping onto the hearth ?
Normally, yes. If you have a fair amount coming down,
the
chimney pot fixing is probably cracked
where it joins
the chimney stack.
Will it stop birds
coming into the room ?
Yes. It's a common problem that the Chimney Balloon
solves.
Will it stop cats or
kittens climbing inside the chimney ?
Yes. They just love investigating dark holes!
Is it easy to remove ?
Yes - open the tap on the end of the handgrip, wait a
minute, and it should fall out.
It
was designed
for people having fires at weekends. Pop
it in a poly bag or newspaper.
Do I have to take it
out before lighting the fire ?
Yes. If you forget, it will shrink in about 40 seconds
and let
the smoke and fumes go up the chimney,
and save your
life. You'll then need a new one.
What is the material
made from ?
It's not rubber, because rubber perishes in chimneys.
It's a fairly thin but
flexible plastic
tri-laminate
of LLDPE, EVOH or PVdC, and a sealable liner of PE. The
large size and above are made from a blend
of 80% PE / 20% PA.
The outer layer is tough,
the inner is
an air barrier layer and the core is
a heat-shrink material.
It is transparent to aid fitting.
The Handgrip is made from a non-combustible plastic
(electrical conduit).
How do I remember it
is there ?
There's a little red label that you put in the grate, or
by the gas tap.
Can I use a chimney
balloon in a chimney with a gas fired appliance ?
Yes, provided your gas appliance does not have a
permanently lit pilot light, details are
here.
Sizes
Does it
come in different sizes ?
Yes. There are 5 standard sizes in stock and special
sizes are made to order. Both standard and special
sizes can be ordered online here.
How do I know
what size I need ?
Measure about a foot up above the fireplace opening
where the sides are
parallel; we require
side-to-side and front-to-back
sizes in inches. If you
can't measure right across, measure side to
middle then
add opposite side to middle.
Inflation
How do I
blow it up ?
The 600mm (24") long Mouth
Inflation Tube
is the quickest and easiest way to inflate your balloon.
For out of reach installations, also use a Handgrip
Extension Kit which will add another 400mm (16")
to the tube for inflating balloons.
Does it take much
effort ?
It requires very little pressure, just volume - lungs
are good for this.
Can I use a car tyre
pump ?
No, unless it has an air-bed adaptor (same for a
compressor), but a bicycle
pump
(not racing bike)
will work for smaller sizes. A hair
dryer will not work.
Guarantee
What sort
of guarantee is there ?
1 year, except for wear and tear. If you are
dissatisfied, we will refund.
What if it is faulty ?
Send it back. We will repair or replace. We want you to
be a satisfied customer. Details for returns
are here.
For how long can I
leave it in ?
As long as you want. We recommend that you inspect it
every 3 months to
see if it needs topping
up with air. It allows a little
ventilation, and it won't corrode.
How long should it
last ?
We would expect at least 4 years. They have been in
production since 1990.
Can it be repaired ?
Sometimes. Wipe abrasion holes clean and seal with
Sellotape.
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