Expert: Bart Ogden - 5/18/2009

Question
I purchased a 1950's home with a wood burning fireplace.The top housing on the roof appears to be metal with a simulated brick pattern. The brand may be Magestic with "An American Standard Company" appearing below. Also models L28A, L36A, and L42B appear on the manual.
The problem is that due to the configuration of the housing, birds can build nests within the housing, creating a fire hazard. I cleaned out the nests last year and covered the area which is next to the flue with screen. However, I am now hearing birds and have concluded they are coming in underneath the "brick" protruding from the side of the chimney housing.
The problem: how do I remove only the top of the chimney cap so I can look down inside without removing the whole housing? I recently had the roof re-done and do not want to disturb the integrity of the flashing, etc. by removing the entire housing. My manual does not address taking this apart and the picture showing installation seems to suggest it is one unit.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Bruce,

These housings were notorious for being birdhouses.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem and to determine how much nesting is actually down there.  We've found the entire stack and outer shell of the fireplace full of nesting materials at times, which requires replacement of the entire system.

The top of the assembly does come off, it has some little catches that must be pushed back, then 1 or 2 plates will come off allowing viewing of the interior of the assembly.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
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