Chimney cap on the chimney: what is it, types and features

If debris gets into the chimney, the pipe can get clogged. The furnace will be impossible to use. You will have to call a specialist in chimney cleaning. However, such problems can be prevented. A special protection is installed on chimneys. This is called a chimney cap.

What is a chimney cap

A chimney cap is made up of these parts:

• Cover on chimney cap comes in the form of a pyramid, a semi-circle, or a cone.
• The apron on a chimney cap diverts droplets that fall on the weather vane.
• Brackets secure the chimney cap apron at the top of the structure. The number varies depending on the size of the weather vane.

Chimney cap installed not only on chimneys. They are also designed for gas vents, ventilation pipes of air conditioning systems.

Functions chimney cap:

• protection from leaves, dust, debris, birds, insects;
• insulation from rain and snow prolongs the life of the chimney;
• The chimney cap prevents the wind from blowing smoke back into the chimney, and the air in the house remains clean;
• Some chimney cap models reinforce the chimney or reinforce the chimney so it does not get damaged in high winds;
• The chimney cap decorates the chimney.

Chimney cap increases the draft due to the fact that the flow of smoke rests on the cover, and to get out, bends around the bottom of the umbrella. Because of this, the smoke in the chimney is pulled up. A low pressure area forms at the top of the chimney, and the smoke from the stove rushes toward the exit. The efficiency of the extraction is increased by 20%.

Types and Features

The main difference between chimney cap in the form of the cover. It comes in several types:

• A double-sloped cap protects the chimney from wind, precipitation. The length and width vary depending on the size of the structure.
• Four-slope cover performs the same functions as the previous model. The difference in design.
• The quad cap with a grid protects not only from debris and wind, but also keeps birds, mice and large insects out of the chimney.
• A double-deck chimney cap is installed on brick chimneys. It strengthens the draft.

What type of chimney cap to choose, depends on the material of the chimney and what kind of fuel is used. If the furnace and chimney is made of brick, there are whirls in the pipe. To prevent this, a chimney deflector is installed in the chimney.

Solid fuel boilers often have a smooth, double-walled chimney inside. Soot does not settle inside as much as on rough surfaces. The condensate drains into the condensate collector.

If the boiler operates on the pyrolysis principle, the smoke hood must have a nozzle to allow low temperature smoke to escape. For gas and diesel heating systems, too, choose a chimney cap with a nozzle.

A cone shaped chimney cap will not work for a powerful heating boiler, because it speeds up the exit of exhaust gases. You need an open chimney cap.

Chimney cap material must withstand high temperatures, be resistant to oxidation and rust. Chimney caps are made of several types of metals:

• Copper looks attractive and lasts up to 100 years. Chimney caps made of this metal are expensive.
• An alloy of titanium and zinc is cheaper and lasts up to 50 years.
• Stainless steel serves as a base, fasteners are often made of galvanized steel.

Chimney cap is covered with a protective layer of powder coating, polyester, pural or plastisol. It insulates the metal and creates a decorative coating. You can choose not only the function of the chimney cap, but also its design.