Chimney Balloon or Sheep? Cheap and fast DIY alternative!

[@MartyMcFlyer]

I wish I'd seen this before buying the totally useless chimney balloon. Good tip. Good video (even with wife as unwilling extra in the background)

[@jonnyhifi]

What a superb idea ! Thanks for making this video - I’ve gone through the same sequence as you - I bought chimney balloons years ago - and to be frank have been disappointed. They hold together ok. - but they seem to fall out very few months - I just can’t get them to stay up there - and I’m not convinced they’re that good a seal around the edge too. I’m definitely going to give this a go. I’d seen advertised “chimney sheep” but as far as I can see - that’s essentially a factory made version of this - but way more expensive. Thank you !

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

You're welcome. Mine's still in good condition after 2 years.

[@jwhite1707]

Well done you! You've just saved me paying 50 quid I haven't got 👍

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

You're welcome. The chimney balloons I was looking at were anything up to £100. CRAZY!

[@kathbrosnan1052]

Thanks for demo .will do same in dining room chimney. Have all ingredients around house and v useful to know I can remove it if open fire is needed cheers

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

Glad to be of service 🙂

[@juliusmong5378]

Thank you sir, I have just done what you showed and fixed mine! Simplicity

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

You're welcome. Our room is so warm now. Hope it works for you too!

[@marykelleher5593]

Excellent 👍🏼 job with this

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@samboyce8906]

Spot on mate. Cheers for this. Just used an old square cushion wrapped in a bin bag to plug a square flue. Used the excess bag twizzled into a cord and wedged against the back wall as a way to pull it out. Should make any debris fall to the back when removed.

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

Awesome! Great job!

[@maribecker1973]

I would add a piece of rigid foam insulation, cut to size, as the finishing touch.

[@98percentGorilla]

I bought a chimney sheep last year but it's not very effective. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a good seal and just succeeded in dislodging masses of loose brick when I put it in. Horrible. Currently have three layers of moving blankets secured over the opening but this looks better. Definitely going to try.

[@thanyaumma2563]

Great idea! I am going to try😊

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

Good luck! Ours is still going strong!

[@AM-ou1wt]

Thank you- I think sewing a decorative lightweight strap to the center will help remind that the chimney is blocked.

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

sounds cool

[@roderickjones7479]

Good video

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

Thanks

[@ggagg123]

This is a great video. Just one question where did you get the drawstring bags?

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

I think they were just from the supermarket. If you're in the UK, Tesco's. If you're in the US, they're on Amazon, listed under "White Drawstring Garbage Can Liners"

[@ellekay1721]

What about the damper? Did you remove it? And what about the top (outside)? You still need to close it off, right?

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

the top of the chimney has a hat anyway, to stop birds nesting there. Also keeps rain out. Don't know what you mean by the damper. If you mean the thing I made, it comes out in warm weather.

[@ellekay1721]

@@SIMONTHOMASWATTS The damper is the “door” that you open above the firebox when you use the fireplace. In some videos, it looks like people stuff the open damper. It’s hard to tell .

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

@@ellekay1721 We don't have a damper like that. The chimney is pretty old...just a wide open chimney

[@deaneclark7786]

What if I have a damper?

[@ausrineavcilar5824]

Can this be used for gas fireplace which is not in use?

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

No idea. Best to check with a local gas approved engineer

[@FoodfortheSubconscious]

Ive heard such mixed things... some say dont block it because it needs air flow, others say its fine Would love to get a solid opinion from a professional

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

We just use it in cold months and leave it to air the rest of the year.. Not had any obvious issues so far. I suspect the central heating keeps the brickwork dry anyway

[@alexhughes2653]

How would this react with moths?

[@SIMONTHOMASWATTS]

I doubt they would get in the bag but you could always sandwich a moth ball or two between the cushions.

[@jonnyhifi]

@@SIMONTHOMASWATTSor … ensure you use a synthetic pillow - so there’s nothing the moths can eat. A feather pillow seems a bad idea - but fantastically the polyester (?) pillows are the cheap ones too!