Anyone used a chimney balloon?

soba

Been thinking of getting a chimney ballon (www.chimney-balloon.co.uk) for our coal effect gas fire. It's damn drafty at this time of year! Anyone used one or can advise on their effectiveness?
Thanks guys, soba

robowen

Expensive way of bunging up your chimney ! :think:

Brother-in-law uses bin-liners. Blows them up in the same way.
His is just an open grate though ....no coals.

Obviously...Remember not to use the fire with the chimney bunged up :rolleyes:

uncle_buck_3

Be careful you don’t block Santa out :eek:

hutchie_3

An old pillow inside a cheap suit carrier[from £ shop] is just as effective and fairly cuts out the draughts

benz

I've used a chimney balloon for the last 10 years. Had to replace it once. The fitting instructions make it sound quite easy but...........

It's a filthy job, as you need to sit in the fire place. I used a low stool to sit on. The balloon has to be inflated in position, which is about 2 feet up the chimney, but once in position it is too far away to blow into to inflate. What I did was to attach a short length of hose to the inlet pipe which I blew into, to inflate. All the time soot and dust are coming down.........

However once it is there it is efficient and also cuts down traffic noise etc.

glosman555

An inexpensive way to stop draughts in a chimney is to cut a piece of MDF to fit the fireplace opening: mine was a square shape that I painted and added a handle for easy removal.

soba

I've spoken to the chimney balloon people about our living flame gas fire. The opening to the chimney is only letterbox size, and they say thay haven't come across this before. At the moment we have a piece of newspaper over the front of the fire, and it blows like billyo, we dont need to attach the paper in any way as the breeze blowing up the chimney keeps it in place. The mdf idea sounds good though, and possibly more attractive that a sheet of the local rag blowing in the wind in the living room. Thanks for all your replies, soba