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Posted by Mark Cato on June 9, 2006, 12:25 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.
>>
> Okay, I can buy that. How do you clean a chimney that has a cap? Is
> something special required - like removing the cap beforehand?
A cap is no problem for cleanings or inspections. Most caps (or lids) are
easily removed and reinstalled.
I second the suggestion to favor stainless steel over galvanized. You'll
likely get a lifetime warranty rather than a few years, and maintenance
won't be an issue. A galvanized cap will eventually rust, which can stain
the chimney.
Often when I've seen caps cause draft issues, it's been with multi-flue
caps that cover the entire chimney. If a multi-flue cap is causing draft
issues, baffles between the flues often corrects it.
Depending on the sweep, there can be some pretty significant markup on
caps. If you're comfortable with your roof and sizing the cap, you
shouldn't have major issues installing a single flue cap on your own. The
size of liners (and the caps that fit them) vary, so make sure you know the
dimensions before purchasing. Single flue caps usually grip the portion of
terra cotta extending above the crown of the chimney, while multi-flue caps
are drilled and bolted to the chimney. If you're looking at a multi-flue
cap, you'll need a hammer drill for installation.
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