Do you have an open fireplace in your home? Go over to it and see if you can feel a draught going up the chimney.
If the fire is not in use then a really smart move is to block up the flue. If your fire is in occasional use then please, please, please be careful if you do stick something up there – some sort of reminder in eyeshot might be a good idea.
During the summer months, make sure you remove the obstruction to let any moisture that might have built up clear away.
I’ve been investigating chimney balloons but all I can find are ones priced somewhere north of £15 which to my mind is just a tad expensive. So I’m opening it up to see who can come up with the best, cheapest, most sustainable DIY solution.
Someone suggested using the foil balloon in a box of wine. Would that work? I think it might on narrower chimneys. Thoughts?
Comments
6 responses to “DIY Chimney Balloons?”
What about using a space hopper, you know the big bouncing ball with the head and ears you can hold. Think there must be thousands around in attics all across the country.
Do you have a walk in chimney or something…? 😉
[…] Unused (or rarely used) chimneys should also be blocked as they’re big holes in your home which let the air out easily. You can buy chimney balloons but they’re on the expensive side. Improvise and let me know what works. […]
One solution seen this weekend: plastic bag stuffed with rags.
Perfect!
Plastic bag stuffed with spare mineral wool (loft insulation). A tube from e.g tin foil roll,
could be inserted beside it to maintain ventilation in the flue.
I have been reading this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=645351
which agrees with Laurence.
So now I am wondering which is best, rags or loft insulation?
As the main purpose is to cut down drafts, rags are probably just as effective as loft insulation. I guess it’s just what you have available which will tightly squash into the space and fill all the gaps.