To Cap or Not to Cap

mplynn64 · Post by **mplynn64** » Thu. Oct. 29, 2009 1:04 pm

Not sure if I should or not but was wondering if I should put a cap on my chimney? Previous owner installed stove and chimney without cap now I was wondering if I should cap it or not. and if I do what effects could it have?

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Oct. 29, 2009 1:12 pm

Depends...
SS liner in a chimney should have a cap...
Clay tiles don't need a cap but it does keep out critters and most of the water...
Unlined should have a cap...

mplynn64 · Post by **mplynn64** » Thu. Oct. 29, 2009 1:57 pm

Is a clay chimney so I guess it is not nescasarry..

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Oct. 29, 2009 2:14 pm

Cap will keep out the critters and keep most of the water out of the chimney...
The 'rents chimney base was always wet after a heavy rain before the cap went on...
Helps with a down/cross drafting issue...
Chimney pots are both decor and function...

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 10:35 pm

CapeCoaler wrote:Cap will keep out the critters and keep most of the water out of the chimney...
The 'rents chimney base was always wet after a heavy rain before the cap went on...
Helps with a down/cross drafting issue...
Chimney pots are both decor and function...

I'll second what cape coaler said.

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 11:54 pm

The first thing we did when we moved in the house was put a cap on the chimney. The low cost for the cap versus the pain we'd go through if a critter got in it made it worth while; doubly so since we haven’t used that chimney in over 23 years.

dtzackus · Post by **dtzackus** » Sun. Nov. 01, 2009 6:10 am

The 1st dead bird you get out of your chimney will be the day you put a cap on it.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Nov. 02, 2009 9:01 am

I would not put a cap on unless you need it due to problems with rain or downdrafts. If you do put one on, make sure it is constucted of a very high grade material (read very expensive) as sooner or later it will degrade, fail and possibly fall into the chimney and block it. Had I not seen this myself twice in the last 5 years I would have recommended it. Last summer a widow I know had her oil burner's chimney blocked off by the cap from her wood stoves chimney cap that failed, the house smelled of #2 oil for weeks.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Mon. Nov. 02, 2009 9:20 am

Or it will blow off the roof in a strong wind gust & miss your brand new vehicle by 1 inch .....

I had a good draft to start with, but the cap made it much better. I needed it because there's a jog just below the roof line that leaks black soot into the white ceiling every rainstorm. First one was Home Depot model - lasted 2 years before the above scenario played out. Now I have a stainless one that fairing a little better.