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Posted by hallerb@aol.com on June 8, 2006, 12:56 pm
Art wrote:
> Definitely get a good stainless steel one. On our previous house I put a
> junky galvanize one on from Lowes and a bat still got in. Fortuantely he
> could not get past the glass fireplace doors and eventually apparently found
> his way out.
>
>
> >
> >>I have heard good and bad things about chimney caps..
> >>
> >> Those are just a smattering of takes on the matter. I'd be inclined to
> >> believe they aren't even necessary but I don't have sufficient experience
> >> to say yes or no.
> >
> > As far as keeping rain out, no, not needed. Having had a bird in it the
> > chimney, then a squirrel, we have a cap. Spend the extra to get stainless
> > steel. Painted ones rust and can make a mess.
> >
rain inside can lead to faster detoriation of mortar joints
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Posted by Mys Terry on June 8, 2006, 1:07 pm
wrote:
>
>Art wrote:
>> Definitely get a good stainless steel one. On our previous house I put a
>> junky galvanize one on from Lowes and a bat still got in. Fortuantely he
>> could not get past the glass fireplace doors and eventually apparently found
>> his way out.
>>
>>
>> >
>> >>I have heard good and bad things about chimney caps..
>> >>
>> >> Those are just a smattering of takes on the matter. I'd be inclined to
>> >> believe they aren't even necessary but I don't have sufficient experience
>> >> to say yes or no.
>> >
>> > As far as keeping rain out, no, not needed. Having had a bird in it the
>> > chimney, then a squirrel, we have a cap. Spend the extra to get stainless
>> > steel. Painted ones rust and can make a mess.
>> >
>
>rain inside can lead to faster detoriation of mortar joints
For a boiler chimney, it can improve draft a bit, because when the
boiler fires up, the flue will warm faster. It also reduces the chance
of a wind gust blowing DOWN the chimney.
For a steel flue, a cap to keep out rain is essential.
I was at a large reception once and here was a fireplace at one side
of the room. A gust blew down the chimney, and everything in the room
was instantly covered with a layer of ash and burning embers,
including the tables, food, and guests.
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Posted by German Jerry on June 8, 2006, 1:07 pm
I have a cover cap but no screen to it and have had no problem with
animals at all. My damper is shot so I looked into a lock top chimney
cap damper but decided on using a chimney balloon instead. I have heard
mixed reviews on lock top dampers. Some say they are not durable and
they let in air over time. Also they allow air to convect (heat and
cool and sink) in the chimney so you get a draft feel from it in the
winter. A good thing is though is it shuts the chimney access when
closed. I dont think an ainimal could get past a locktop, I just dont
think it would maintain airtight over time.
I guess I agree that a stainless cap with a screen and a strong
traditional damper or a chimney balloon would be a good combo to stop
air, animals and not change your smoke escape draft.
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Posted by z on June 8, 2006, 2:07 pm
Eigenvector wrote:
> I have heard good and bad things about chimney caps.
>
> What opinions are there about them, the general idea being to keep rain and
> weather out of the chimney.
>
> I have heard that they can alter the draft of the fireplace to make it hard
> to vent a fire.
> I've heard they aren't even necessary
> I've heard they can improve heat loss problems.
>
> Those are just a smattering of takes on the matter. I'd be inclined to
> believe they aren't even necessary but I don't have sufficient experience to
> say yes or no.
I see most places don't have them, but the sites I've seen sort of
universally recommend them. I had a squirrel in my house once, only way
he could have gotten in was down the chimney, so after that I'm a BIG
proponent of caps. I think they're also touted as an aid to keeping
burning sparks from flying out the chimney to set the roof on fire but
what the hell would they be burning that would send up embers that get
caught by the coarse mesh?
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Posted by Tom The Great on June 8, 2006, 7:19 pm
On Wed, 7 Jun 2006 17:00:36 -0700, "Eigenvector"
>I have heard good and bad things about chimney caps.
>
>What opinions are there about them, the general idea being to keep rain and
>weather out of the chimney.
>
I've worked as a chimney sweep in the past, and the Master Sweeps
taught me this:
>I have heard that they can alter the draft of the fireplace to make it hard
>to vent a fire.
True. If you have an under sized one installed it can really effect
your drafting. Make sure, like anything you get, you get a good
quality cap, that meets all the height requirements needed for your
size flue. Your sweep should help you with making a cap selection,
and if you already have drafting problems, he/she can help with a
product like (if I remember the name) posivent caps, or resizing the
opening of your fire place.
>I've heard they aren't even necessary
False, weather(rain, snow, etc) mixing with creosol forms an acid that
slowly eats away at the mortor and flue lining. Keep the weather out.
>I've heard they can improve heat loss problems.
unsealed chimneys are a heatloss. Although I have no clue what you
mean by the cap, but a free burning fire willl force the air (the warm
house air) out through the chimney causing a negative pressure on the
house, and drawing in outside cold air.
>
>Those are just a smattering of takes on the matter. I'd be inclined to
>believe they aren't even necessary but I don't have sufficient experience to
>say yes or no.
>
This is what I've been taught, to try and provide as much information
for the customer to make their own decision. They buy a cap, it's a
few bucks profit. If they don't, in several inspections, gaps in flue
tile might be noticiable, which means big profits relining the
chimney. Offering caps actually reduced the chimney sweeps long term
profits. :)
Now I'm not a sweep, just repeating what I was taught. So check with
your certified Chimney Sweep.
hth,
tom @ www.NoCostAds.com
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