Positioning:-
Normally, the chimney balloon goes about 1 to 2 feet
above the fireplace opening, depending on your type of
chimney and on the size of your chimney balloon. The
smallest parallel section is the best position, as long
as most of the handgrip is obscured and the chimney
balloon fits snugly all round. It must not fret or rub
once installed.
Installation:-
With the tap open (in line with the handgrip), blow a
little air in to the chimney balloon - just enough to
let you place it up into position without it scraping
against the chimney. If you have a cast iron fire with
a
hole for the smoke to rise through you will need to push
the chimney balloon through this before you
start
inflating.
With the chimney balloon in place and the
white label facing you, complete inflation:
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- by mouth inflation tube, plugging directly into
the tap
- by air bed pump, inserting the nozzle into the
tube end
- by mountain bike or car valve pump, inserting
the flexible connector end in to the rubber tube end.
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When inflated, turn the tap off. You may have to top it
up in an hour or two because the air may have cooled.
Check while you are inflating it that the chimney
balloon is positioning correctly - it may find its own
position because it tends to move to where the chimney
is widest. Continue until the balloon is gently firm,
like prodding your thigh, but not drum-taut. You can
test it by pushing the handgrip upwards - it should feel
springy. The handgrip must hang free without restraint.
Put the "remember" notice in the grate or by
the gas tap. If winds cause high chimney suction,
tether
the chimney balloon by its tap to the grate with a
length of string. If you are leaving the
chimney balloon
permanently in position, check every 3 months that it is
still doing its job. You
may very occasionally need to
top up the air.
Removal:-
Remove the "remember" card, then open the tap.
Press the handgrip against the side of the
chimney
through the balloon, so that the air is forced out. Soon
you will be able to pull the balloon
free. Roll it in
newspaper or a polythene bag for tidy storage.
Repair:-
Wipe
abrasion holes clean and seal with Sellotape
Ventilation:-
The
bag's unique shape should leave small air gaps in two
corners, allowing air to ventilate the
chimney. In some
chimneys, lack of ventilation may cause build-up of damp
in the wall. If this
happens, remove your chimney
balloon, let the wall dry out, then replace the balloon
taking care
that there are ventilation gaps.
Safety:-
If a
fire is lit with the balloon in place, it will quickly
shrink, allowing fumes to escape up the
chimney. The bag
is unlikely to burn if it remains in the chimney and the
handgrip is made from
non-combustible plastic.
Caution:-
If
you over-inflate your chimney balloon, the inflator will
probably blow out before the bag bursts,
but we cannot
accept responsibility for any damage howsoever caused,
except as covered by
the Sale of Goods Act.
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