Expert: James Ball - 11/1/2008

Question
I am working on residing a chimney for a customer.  He has noticed rusty stains coming over the edge of the chimney cap.  This isn't the cap on the flue, but the cap that the flue comes through.  He thought that maybe water was sitting up on top and melting causing the rust.  It looks more like a combustion residue that may be doing it.  The metal top is all rusty as well.  The cap on the flue itself looks to be in pretty good shape.  I am a carpenter though and not a chimney expert and so I am not quite sure what to make of it all.

Answer
Hello Dave, it sounds like you are describing a "chimney case cover" this covers the top of a wooden chimney chase. there are plenty of on line replacement sites or you local sheet metal fabricator (go stainless or copper, I know it cost more but will last for ever ish)
hope this helped
James Ball