To comment directly to the previous poster, the reason you can't find the leak is because you have to move the plastic around where the inflation tube meets the plastic bag to expose it enough to bubble obviously (this isn't 32 PSI in a car tire after all, it's 2 PSI in a plastic bag). The concept is excellent, but, using what must be a 2mil plastic bag (typical "Zip-lock" bag thickness) attached directly to hard plastic hardware is a bad idea.
Mine held up great the first time I put it in place (for nearly 6 months it held air, no problem). However, after deflating it, taking it out (to use the fireplace) and putting it back in place days later, it developed a leak and started deflating within hours. I too (as the previous poster noted) sprayed it with soapy water trying to find the leak, only to find it was too slow to easily locate. However, based on a suspicion I had from the initial unwrap, I eventually started to move the plastic hardware around slightly and then the leak was obvious.
The Mfg has apparently tried to address this issue by connecting a rubber band between the top and bottom hard plastic hardware, conceptually distributing the load pressure across the hardware while inflated. However, because the sole "handle" to position the "balloon" is it's own air inflation valve, it eventually stretches/tears into the cheap plastic bag balloon. In the previous poster's case it apparently occurred in the initial installation; in my case after one removal/replacement.
To the Mfg: Thanks for the idea, I will take your concept and improve upon it (I need a solution that will last for years to come). That being said; I have plenty else on my plate and my time can be bought. Send me a handful of 12" x 12" bags (saving me the production effort) and I will remove my negative post and send you some recommended design changes.
If you are going to charge $45 for something that can't cost you more than $1 in materials, at least come up with a "Better than you can do in Two Hours" design.
You can email me at: jaysonsullivan"at"hotmail.com
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The Chimney Balloon sounds like a good idea, but mine doesn't stay inflated. I understand that the instructions say to "check every 3 months to make sure its still doing its job and that you may very occasionally need to top up the air". But I thought that meant it would partially deflate every few months. My balloon deflates within a few hours. I removed the balloon and checked it for leaks. I even placed it in my bathtub and used the soapy water test to check for holes. No luck. I couldn't find a single leak. I suppose it could be the cold winter air from inside the chimney that's deflating it. Hmm, so what can I say? From the online reviews it seems to work for others, but not so well for me.
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