Expert: Bart Ogden - 6/3/2010

Question
Hi Bart...My question relates to my 60 year old block home about 900' from the beach...we do get hurricanes here in south/central Florida and some heavy duty rain storms. My double flue chimney (1 side is a dummy) has never had a cap. Occaisionally we'd get some dripping in the fireplace in bad rainy weather, but, it never was enough to concern us. I had a chimney sweep out to clean and he advised a cap...one that is stainless steel on 4 legs with a "roof" on it. All I can think is that it's a wind catcher and maybe I made a mistake having it installed. What is the best way to top a clay flue/ brick built with mortar chimney for a beach home? Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Cyn,

It is recommended that EVERY chimney have a chimney cap to protect from water, animals and debris intrusion as well as to act as a spark arrestor.

If only "legs" are holding the chimney cap in the flue, it should be changed as this will not stand up to high winds (in our experience).

The chimney cap should be firmly attached to the flue tile with either 4 pointed set screws on the base or it should be firmly anchored to the chimney crown/wash area with tapcon fasteners, 1 on each of the 4 sides.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site review of your chimney cap installation and to make sure that the chimney cap is fastened correctly for your potential wind issues.

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
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

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