Chimneys Caps: Cap or No Cap?

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deepwoods
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Post by deepwoods »

2 flue masonry chimney. Both flues have ss caps. No reduction in drafting at least according to my manometers. Upper 1/2 of chimney rebuilt this past summer and the caps are new also.


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McGiever
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Post by McGiever »

'google' wind directional chimney cap ;)

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Post by oliver power »

I've been slow to reply on this subject. Personally, I like to keep the water from running down my chimney (not that it's a big concern when burning). For that reason, I like a simple hat over my chimney. The hat also helps draft during low pressure atmosphere. That being said, I see chimneys all over the place. Some with caps, and some without caps. Some in great shape, others not so..... I think it all boils down to maintenance (cap or no cap).

We're up close to chimneys all the time. From the ground, most chimneys look good. Up close; many need attention.

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Post by Lightning »

oliver power wrote:The hat also helps draft during low pressure atmosphere
Low pressure atmosphere?

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Post by 2001Sierra »

oliver power wrote:I've been slow to reply on this subject. Personally, I like to keep the water from running down my chimney (not that it's a big concern when burning). For that reason, I like a simple hat over my chimney. The hat also helps draft during low pressure atmosphere. That being said, I see chimneys all over the place. Some with caps, and some without caps. Some in great shape, others not so..... I think it all boils down to maintenance (cap or no cap).
I too agree with Oliver Power, and have held back on contributing.

Before burning this year I have been speaking with friends about removing my stainless chimney cap to see if the sulfur smell from time to time would dissapate more. Still have not acted on it, and curious what others here may say. Also hoping to add pictures of my install.
Last edited by 2001Sierra on Sat. Apr. 01, 2017 12:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Quote box

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oliver power
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Post by oliver power »

Lightning wrote:

Low pressure atmosphere?
Yes, or maybe I should say low atmospheric pressure. What ever the terminology, chimneys don't seam to draw as well. The hat over the chimney helps.

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Post by mozz »

Back from the dead thread. Me almost, CO beeper was going off today, windy, making my draft go positive. I don't know if the cap screen is blocked, hard to tell from the picture from my phone. It is blocked some as i shot it with the BB gun and i can see a puff of soot. Opened all the basement windows. Fire is now almost out after 6 hours. I have cleaning rods and a 8" brush but from the cellar i can't get all the way to the top, going to tractor supply tomorrow and getting 18' more ft. Could also be after a new roof a few years back maybe the guys didn't tighten the screws and the cap dropped?

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Lightning
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Post by Lightning »

Yeah, that doesn't look like there is much clearance for exhaust to exit. The screens do get brittle and decay. It appears that the cap has sunk. I'd recommend that somebody go up there and check it out. Personally, I think rain caps are a good idea since they will help keep the chimney dry.

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Post by stokerstove »

Always have a cap on my 2 story masonry chimney while burning the stove. No problem with draft and keeps the rain and critters out. I remove the cap at the end of the season and replace it with a cover I fabricated from an old cap. Always wash the ash off it, anti-seize the threads and store it in a dry spot. By doing this, I'm only on my 3rd cap in 35 or more years of burning the stove. Current cap is stainless and is showing its age, might break down and get a new one for next season.

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Post by davidmcbeth3 »

Have animals nearby ? Then cap it. Pretty sure you have animals nearby.

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Post by k-2 »

I put in a brand new masonry chimney and very soon after noticed water wicking through the clay liner and concrete block around the clay liner thimble in the living room after a rainstorm. I installed a good SS cap,problem solved.

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Post by mozz »

Ran a brush up from the bottom, a got a lot of ash and crud, which i don't see how that built up. Brush went all the way until it hit the cap and i hit it a bunch of times to loosen what i could. Relit and after a while brought the house back up to 70 from 63 overnight. Draft is -.030 which is good, wind causes it to shift but i am not getting below zero, wind has also died down. I still can see some of the screen partially blocked so i will try to blast it with the gas powered pressure washer during the week. Climbing the roof is not for me so if i have to pay someone to do it i will.

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Post by Hoytman »

Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of this home with two chimneys and neither have chimney caps.

Never had/have a problem, coal or wood.

I’m not saying it’s right or wrong. Just giving you the facts of this house…family home.

If I were to cap it, then it would be when it isn’t in use. When the chimney’s are in use the caps would come off.

Taking caps on and off would be a pain, so then a cap of an open design would be my choice if I were to cap any chimney. That means animals can still get in the chimney, which just means you check them before putting the chimney in use…seasonal checking if a chimney is basic common sense anyway…means checking a couple times a year is a good practice.

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Post by nut »

Me too, no cap. Had one once but it rotted out and I can't reach the chimney so no cap for many years now. I have never seen signs of rain getting in. I'm sure it does but it must evaporate fast. I burn the stove all winter so the chimney stays warm and prevents water expansion damage.

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Post by SMITTY »

I needed a cap on mine. 100+ year old chimney that you can scoop out the mortar with a fingernail. It's ROUGH. There's also 2 jogs in the run going 2 different directions! So, whenever it rains, water leaks through the crappy mortar.

A cap fixed it, and since it's an internal chimney with none of the 4 sides exposed to the outdoors, draft is still very good.

The cap does have to be high enough up above the flue, obviously. I'd wager that cap rotted out and sunk.


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