Do chimney balloons work?

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Have a very draughty open fireplace (with no fire!), bought a chimney balloon but it just deflates in a couple of hours and falls out. Do I have a duff balloon or do they all do this? Or any other suggestions for blocking the freezing cold air filling the room??

I have a chimney sheep which is brilliant as it's east to remove if you do want to use the fire.

In the past I've just used an old pillow or cushions in a black bin bag.

www.chimneysheep.co.uk/

No, not normal.

It's got a hole or there's something wrong when you're closing the valve.

The chimney bricks can be quite abrasive and wear holes in them.

I repaired mine with parcel tape.

We have a chimney sheep which is brilliant and really easy to use. Stays in place well.

There's no obvious damage, and it deflates in a couple of hours when not in the chimney - must be a leaky valve I think (I only bought it yesterday!). Sounds like a chimney sheep might be a better option.

We filled a bag with loft insulation and shoved it up to stop the draft in an unused fireplace. Worked a treat.

I’ve got chimney balloons which are over 20 years old. I think yours must be faulty.

I filled a strong bin bag with leftover bubble wrap and shoved it up the chimney.

Balloons never worked for us as they just deflate when it gets cold and fall down. We have chimney sheep now and they are great. Our chimney was very draughty and it's made a huge difference

I have a chimney sheep too. It's excellent.

Another vote for a chimney sheep. They're fab.

I never even knew these things existed!! I've always had an open fire and just assumed it was just one of those things that you can't do anything about! There is a plate thing that I can pull down when not using and I do after winter is over but think i will have to look at these sheep things!!

Well I've checked them out and slightly - read very - disappointed!! In my mind they were like inflatable sheep!!

I've got a pillow in a black bin bag. Been doing sterling work for over 20 years.

Having had a look at prices I can recommend a cheap pillow and a bin bag.

Also did pillows in black bin bags. Works perfectly.

Just shove an old pillow up it. Works perfectly.

I stuffed a pillow up mine. Worked a treat (don’t know whether it could have caused other problems, but don’t see how it was different to a balloon).

If you’re blowing it up in room temperature, the air in it will condense and shrink when you stick it up a cold chimney.

another vote for chimney sheep. They let the chimney breathe whilst getting rid off draught

With the chimneys we're not using I just stuff scrunched-up newspaper to block the draught.