Swede Chimney Sweep

& Dryer Vent Cleaning

858-573-1672          619-466-1672
 

Home

How To Pay

Service Areas

Evaluations

Flue Caps

Site Map
 

Scary Pictures
  Oops! I Forgot about those trees and bushes by my chimney!
 

Tree Branches Too Close To Top Of Chimney

 Its very easy to not be aware of how much the trees and bushes around your house have grown and how close they are to the chimney.  They are flammable and can be a fire hazard.

It is recommended to have branches and foliage to be cut away a minimum of 10 feet from the top of the chimney.

We know that it is not always possible to maintain those type of clearances, but always remember that the farther away, the better.

Chimney caps are strongly recommended to help protect against sparks igniting the foliage and branches, as well as prevent the leaves from falling down inside the chimney.

 
 
 

Ivy Growing Into Top Of Chimney Flue and Chimney Cap

 Yes, there is a chimney flue under all of that ivy!

In addition to the obvious fire hazard, this condition also means excessive smoking problems, more opportunity for rodents and insects to come down the chimney, and will also lead to a more rapid deterioration of the chimney's bricks and mortar.

The metal cover and screen that can be seen is actually the chimney cap!

 

 
 

 
  I have a smoking problem when I use my chimney!
 

This Is NOT Supposed To Be A Chimney Cap!

This is an example of someone using a cover that was never intended for a masonry chimney.  As a result, the customer had serious smoking problems.

Chimney caps are readily available, and there is no excuse for someone to have to create their own!

The few dollars that this saved could easily lead to spending hundreds of dollars on cleaning up the effects of smoke damage.

 
 

 
 

Modified Chimney Cap. Major Smoking Problem!

This is an example of a conventional universal chimney cap having been modified to fit on the chimney.  The bottom part of the cap that is normally used to secure it to the flue has been cut off and it was actually glued to the chimney.

This lowered the cap to a point where there was only approximately 1-2 inches of height above the flue for the smoke to vent out.  Most chimney caps will have 6-8 inches of height above the flue.

 
 

 
 

Chimney Cap Is Rusted Out and Collapsed

This cap's life is over.  The spark arrestor screen has rusted out and collapsed and has detached from the from the rain cover top of the chimney cap.  The customer has used a wire to hold the cover on so it won't blow off in the wind.

When a stainless steel chimney cap is used, you don't have to worry about this happening!

 
 

 
 

Screen Mesh Is Too Small. This WILL Cause Smoking Problems!

 1/4" screen mesh has been fitted over the top of the flue on this chimney. This will typically clog very quickly with creosote and not only cause smoking problems but also allow more flammable creosote to build up in the chimney at a much faster rate. It also offers no rain protection.

This spark arrestor is not to code and not recommended. Code requires that the net free area of the spark arrestor [mesh] shall not be less than four times the net free area of the outlet of the chimney (1997 Uniform Building Code).  The mesh that lies flat over the pipe opening (as seen here) is only one time the area of the opening. 

 
 
 

Black Stainless Steel Chimney Cap

 The chimney cap shown above is an excellent example of the proper cap and provides the recommended screen mesh area. 

It is also stainless steel with a lifetime warranty and won't rust out.

 
 

 
  Click here to return to Swede Chimney Sweep Home Page
 

Contact Us

Chimney Caps

Masonry Chimneys

Chimney Sweeping

Chimney Evaluations/Inspections

Site Map

 

                          

© 2008 Swede Chimney Sweep
Last modified: 03/31/08