This article shows a very simple and cheap method how to stop draughts down a chimney. Draughts down chimneys and heat loss up unused chimneys can be annoying and cost you money on your heating bills.
Here is the easy to follow YouTube video to accompany this article.
Bought from Amazon
I chose to buy a chimney balloon from Amazon to stop the draught from my chimney. This is a quick, simple and inexpensive way to do this. Fitting a chimney balloon will not only save energy but it will also save you money. I have put this balloon in my Amazon shop so you can find it easily. A link to my Amazon shop can be found at the top of this page.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/spendtimesavemoneydiy
What’s in the pack
In the pack you will find. A balloon with an inflation tube. Attached to the tube is a tap or valve. The valve will keep the air in once inflated. And it will allow the air out if the balloon needs deflating. Also in the pack there is an extension for the inflation tube. This is so you won’t have to put your head right up inside the chimney to inflate the balloon.
Instructions
The instructions say to put the balloon up the chimney and then inflate. I found that it was difficult to get the balloon to stay in place. So a better way I found was to slightly inflate the balloon before inserting it into the chimney. This way it held itself in place whilst I carried on inflating.
How to stop draughts down a chimney
The balloon comes folded up in the pack. When I took it out I unfolded it so it would be easier to inflate. I then fitted the extension tube to the inflation tube. Don’t push the extension tube too far onto the inflation tube. This will make it difficult to remove later. Next I turned the valve to the open position. And inflated the balloon slightly. Now I could insert the balloon into the chimney.
Now that the balloon is in the chimney I can inflate it. You could use an air mattress pump to inflate the balloon. But you would run the risk of over inflating the balloon. I inflated the balloon simply by blowing into the extension tube. It didn’t take long to inflate and I was careful not to over inflate. Next I closed the valve to keep the air in and removed the extension tube.
Checking the next day
The next day I had a look up the chimney and felt the balloon. No problems. It was still inflated and wedged inside the chimney.
Caution
If you decide to use the fire again remember to remove the balloon first.
Steps to fit the balloon
- Open out balloon
- Fit extension tube to inflation tube
- Turn valve to open position
- Inflate balloon slightly
- Fit balloon in chimney
- Inflate but don’t over inflate
- Close valve
- Remove extension tube
- Check the next day to make sure the balloon is still fully inflated
So that’s how to stop draughts down a chimney.
Thanks for reading and watching
I hope this article helps you with your project. If it has then please leave me a comment and let me know how you get on. Be sure to watch my Youtube video that accompanies this article and remember to Like, share and subscribe to help the channel grow. You can follow me and our house on Facebook and Instagram for the latest projects on our renovation or my latest DIY tips.
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