Chimney balloon fitting in Exeter
Professional chimney balloon fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Chimney balloon fitted properly to stop drafts and heat loss from unused fireplaces. Simple solution, big difference to comfort and bills.
Stop Heating The Sky
Got an unused fireplace? Feel that cold draft coming down it? Your heating is basically escaping straight up the chimney while cold air flows down to replace it.
A chimney balloon stops this dead. Inflatable blocker fitted up inside the flue, cutting off the draft completely. Your room stays warmer and your heating bill drops.
💡 Pro tip: Open fireplaces lose about £200-300 worth of heat per year on average. A £25 chimney balloon pays for itself in weeks.
Chimney Balloon vs Other Solutions
| ✅ Chimney Balloon | ❌ Other Options |
|---|---|
| Removable when you want fires | Boarding up (permanent) |
| Perfect seal when inflated | Stuffing newspaper (useless) |
| Reusable year after year | Draft excluder curtain (still drafty) |
| Costs about £25 | Chimney cap (£100s and still drafty) |
What You Get
🔧 Fitting Service
| Fireplace Type | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single chimney balloon | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Multiple chimneys | Add 15 mins each | £60 + £25 per extra |
Plus cost of balloon if supplying (usually £20-30).
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £25 per half hour.
📦 The Result
- No more cold draft down chimney
- Warm room stays warm
- Lower heating bills
- Removable whenever you want fires
Perfect For
✅ Unused fireplaces - why heat an open chimney?
✅ Victorian/Edwardian houses - loads of fireplaces, half unused
✅ Rental properties - cheap way to improve warmth for tenants
✅ Winter months - fit in autumn, remove in spring
Why Choose Us for Chimney balloon fitting in Exeter?
Stop cold drafts immediately
Reduce heating bills
Removable for fires later
Fitted in correct position
What to Expect
Step 1: Measure
I measure your chimney opening and flue (how far up it needs to go) to work out what size balloon you need.
Step 2: Position & Inflate
Balloon gets inserted up the chimney to the right height, then inflated until it forms a tight seal. You'll feel the draft stop immediately.
Step 3: Explain
I'll show you how to check it's still inflated (they can lose a bit of pressure over time) and how to deflate and remove it when you want to use the fire again.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to fit one yourself? It's pretty straightforward:
🔧 What you need
- Chimney balloon (right size for your flue)
- Torch to see up the chimney
- Old sheet or dust sheet (soot will fall)
- Gloves (chimneys are sooty)
📐 Measuring
- Measure the fireplace opening width and height
- Look up the chimney with a torch - note roughly how far up the flue goes before it narrows
- Buy a balloon sized for your opening (they're surprisingly stretchy)
- Most standard fireplaces use medium balloons (fit openings 15-24" wide)
✂️ Fitting
- Clean the fireplace opening area (soot stops the balloon sealing)
- Insert deflated balloon up the chimney about 1-2 feet
- Start inflating using the tube - you'll feel when it hits the sides
- Keep inflating until it's firm and can't move up or down
- Tuck the inflation tube behind the balloon or cut it short
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not inflating it enough - still drafty
- Putting it too far up - hard to remove later
- Not cleaning soot off first - poor seal
- Forgetting to remove it before lighting a fire (yes, really)
- Buying wrong size - too small won't seal, too big won't fit
💡 Pro trick: Write a big note and stick it on the fireplace: "BALLOON FITTED - DEFLATE BEFORE USE". Saves you buying a replacement when you forget and melt it.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Before lighting a fire: ALWAYS remove the chimney balloon first. If you forget, it'll melt and make a mess. The balloon won't stop the fire or anything dramatic - it'll just destroy the balloon and smell awful.
They last about 2-3 years with normal use (fit in autumn, remove in spring). Eventually the material degrades. Cheap enough to replace.
Old Exeter chimneys are often weird sizes and shapes. Victorian flues aren't standard. A properly fitted balloon accounts for this - that's why professional fitting helps.
Balloons can lose pressure over time. Check every month or so and top up if needed. The draft will tell you if it's gone soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chimney balloon and how does it work?
It's an inflatable bladder that sits up inside your chimney, blocking the draft. Inflate it with the tube provided and it forms a tight seal. Stops cold air coming down and warm air escaping up. Much more effective than stuffing newspaper up there.
Can I still use the fireplace after fitting one?
Not while it's inflated, obviously - you'd set it on fire. But they're designed to be deflated when you want to use the fire again. Most people fit them in autumn and remove them in spring when they want to use the fireplace.
Will it damage my chimney?
No - it's just an inflatable balloon wedged in place. No fixings, no chemicals, no damage. When you deflate it and pull it out, your chimney is exactly as it was.
How long does fitting take?
About 20-30 minutes. Measure the chimney, select right size balloon, fit it up inside the flue, inflate it, job done. Simple but needs doing right to get a proper seal.
Do I need to buy the balloon myself?
Either way. If you've already bought one, I'll fit it correctly. If not, I'll measure your chimney and get the right size - they're about £20-30 depending on chimney size.
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