By the way, the same is true if you have glass doors or another barrier in front of your fireplace. Unless they’re brand new and have gaskets or something similar to make them truly airtight, you shouldn’t rely on them for an air seal. Buying a Chimney Balloon vs. Making a DIY Plug

After opening the damper, connect the brush to the first section of the rod and push it up into the flue. Don’t forget to add a dust mask or respirator to your chimney sweep outfit when sweeping the flue. Creosote is considered a carcinogen. Your CO detector should be placed within 300 mm from any wall, between 1 and 3 metres horizontally from the appliance as high up as possible and not within 150mm of the ceiling. Carefully insert the deflated plug into the chimney flue, and make sure the plug is inserted all the way into the chimney and is centered inside. A utility knife, if you need to cut a smaller piece of insulation. You’ll also want a cutting surface like a piece of cardboard.A closed combustion gas fireplace that works by taking air for combustion from outside the property through the outer flue tube, mixing this with the ignited gas at the burner and exiting the fire through the inner flue tube to the outside of the property. Like many of us, you probably love your open fireplace. There is a cozy and comforting feel about an open fire with all the associated sounds, smells, warmth and colour. There is no doubt that an open fireplace is not only synonymous with entertaining friends and family it is also a fantastic decorative feature that enhances your living space. That’s really all there is to it. When you decide to have a fire, gently remove the plug and try not to rip the plastic bag. But if you do rip it, just replace the bag. You can do that about 70 times before you’ve reached the cost of one chimney balloon! A new generation of chimney services is here with trained technicians keeping up with the new building and stove regulations governed by HETAS for chimneys and flues, with the latest technologies for sweeping and servicing your appliance and chimneys, and hoists to install chimney cowls and working on roofs with safety as our priority – Finally someone you can trust in the chimney industry has arrived.

We considered getting a fireplace door or screen installed, but didn’t want to do anything permanent and we like the open look of the fireplace. You can also buy a chimney brush and clean the chimney yourself. Chimney brushes can be found at most home centers, and they’re meant to be paired with a kit of fiberglass rod extensions used to push the brush into the flue. Wire brushes are for masonry chimneys, while polypropylene brushes are used for metal flues; brushes are also available in various shapes (round, square, diagonal) and sizes.A:We do have some installers around the country who could help you. To find out if we have a recommended installer in your area please call 1300 326 627 or pop us a message here.

A plug will save you money, stop odors and animals from entering your chimney so the benefits are amazing. Some are made of Canvas material and open like an umbrella, these are the least popular of all flue plugs but they also work very well to stop chimney drafts, the nice thing about waterproof canvas is that you won’t have moisture enter your chimney. If you have a square, oblong, D-shaped, trapezium shaped or similar use the chimney draught excluder sizing chart (all measurements in inches) below to help you. Remember that a round sheep will squash into a trapezium or oblong hole.Moreover,iIt can also make it easier to sweep overtime but make sure that your flue liner does not get punctured. If you see a lot of soot above a fireplace opening this is a good indication of Carbon Monoxide build up. I can hear some of you asking: isn’t stopping drafts what my damper is for? Or maybe you use the term “flue,” as in “opening and closing the flue.” (Technically the flue is the opening in your chimney, and the damper is the flap that opens and closes). A plug is a cost-effective solution for sealing off a chimney that is not noticeable, and is especially cheap when compared to other options like rain caps, dampers, or damper caps. Work gloves. If you’re using fiberglass or mineral wool, you’ll want to protect your hands. Otherwise you’ll be really itchy.

If you live in an area with busy traffic and cars passing all day out on the street, a plug can also help reduce noise pollution, also it will prevent wind noises among other annoying outside sounds. Easy to install Installing a plug is an easy process that can be a DIY project for any homeowner, here are the basic steps involved in installing a common inflatable flue plug: Chimney sheep: Chimney sheep are an alternative to inflatable plugs because they are more like an insulated felt type of material, and they can be easily pushed up into almost any damper or flue, they are water and weather resistant making them another great choice.

Chimsoc Balloon for Chimney - Small Rectangle for Chimneys Up To 38cm x 23cm (15" x 9")

Not only does creosote accumulate and interfere with the flue’s efficiency, but it is also combustible and causes chimney fires. Under the right conditions, a spark or burning ember launched from the fire can travel up the flue and ignite the creosote. The resulting fire can send flames or burning debris out from the chimney top, posing a potential threat to the roof or adjacent surfaces. Permanent or temporary: Some plugs are designed to be installed permanently, while others are designed for temporary use, consider your needs and the intended use, this way you can determine which type of plug is right for you.