Order your materials today and pay over a timeframe that suits you with our hassle-free finance options. Most have considerable lifespans and won’t require any action on your part for extended periods of time. Chimney caps don’t usually require too much maintenance once they have been applied to your roof. Choose a roof type that fit to your project and access all materials that we have to help you. http://www.fixmyroof.co.uk/videos-and-guides/chimneys/chimney-cappingIn this video I show 3 different ways to cap off a disused chimney that does not alter the structure of the chimney stack. We can also devise solutions to increase draw and reduce down draft problems with a chimney in Ludlow. Chimney cowls, also known as pot covers, come in a range of different styles and designs. This is usually as simple as buying a new cap – thanks to the quick installation times enjoyed by the majority of caps on the market, you won’t be at risk of too much time and hassle spent on getting a new cap back on your roof. Chimney pot caps are fitted to the top of chimneys to solve a wide range of common issues, whilst also improving the performance of the chimney. This website use cookies to ensure you get the best user experience on our website. We have a chimney breast in our lounge and unlike the previous owners we do not use the fireplace. The straps built into these metal chimney caps will often help to keep chimneys together even if they are at risk of cracking. For example, if your chimney stack is hard to access, you may need to pay for scaffolding. Why cap off a chimney? Before starting to brick up the fireplace or fitting the ventilation cowl, have the chimney swept one last time to remove as much soot as possible and dislodge any bird nests or other debris. Downdraughts can massively affect how well your fireplace performs. Capping a chimney can save you hundreds of pounds on your energy bills, and isn't all that hard to do. They are made up of the cap fixing straps built-in and a jubilee clip to help you carry out a smooth, quick installation. However, for most British homeowners, capping their chimney should cost around £150. Technically, a chimney cap is not a sealer but in effect, it does the same job, which is to protect the chimney or some of its parts from water and moisture. Chimney capping has a number of benefits, particularly if you live in an older property or a larger home with multiple chimneys. Place the end of your tape measure against the side of the flue, which is the clay or metal tube coming out from the top of your chimney. Typically, the tradespeople who fit caps are roofers and chimney sweeps. Want a more traditional-looking solution? The easiest way to cap a chimney is to fit an appropriate ventilating cowl to the top of the chimney pot. Plus, any rain, snow, or hail that find their way into your chimney could soon make your flue a breeding ground for rot and mould. Consider: Capping the chimney would be a good use of your money. However, capping a chimney is a very straightforward process, as long as you have the necessary equipment and feel comfortable to do so. ... o Many thousands of C-Caps are fitted throughout the UK, ... "Over 15 Years Capping the UK, Europe and Ireland" Most a specialised, and designed to be used alongside a specific appliance, so make sure to some research and planning into what type of appliance you are using, or plan on using, with that particular chimney. I don't think it's really a DIY job - roofs are very high we used to have 5 chimney pots (Victorian house) - we had builders in for various jobs & they took 4 of them down from the roof & capped off the holes (I think they put a curved thing on top to let some air in to ventilate the flue) In fact, homeowners could save themselves hundreds of pounds on their heating bills and repair costs just by adding a simple chimney cap. Then measure across your flues to find the widest point. I went into the loft and carefully cut out half a brick into the right flue. If you choose to hire a professional, their costs could also increase based upon the height of your chimney, your roof type, and more. By now you should have a clearer idea of what method of capping your chimney is best suited to the needs of your property. Lead also tends to possess extremely lengthy lifespans, meaning it can potentially last longer than many of your other roofing components without any issues. Answer Save. Clay pepper pots have been used for well over a century on the top of many disused chimneys, heling to prevent the ingress of any unwanted dirt or life forms. The lead cap can then be bonded onto the chimney, creating a permanent fix that will prevent anything from getting into it. Take measurements for the length, width, and height of the chimney’s flues. So i finally managed to get up there today and take a look. When it's time to use the chimney again, all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out. Sometimes, caps become so dislodged or damaged by wear that they will need replacing. A chimney cap can provide the perfect solution if you are having problems with downdraught or up-draught, as they will increase the pull in the chimney for better extraction of fumes and smoke. They are extremely durable and are able to withstand a range of weather and temperature conditions without issue. Order Online Today! JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. Most chimney caps are fairly easy to install, however, with the process rarely lasting longer than just a few minutes. This is both highly unpleasant and potentially dangerous, as smoke inhalation can cause a number of health issues. However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. They also share many of the same features as C-Caps, including highly efficient meshing to stop bugs and birds, as well as allowing for ventilation effectively. But it is more expensive, costing more like £150. Pepper pot designs are available from many manufacturers, with plenty of different visual options available to those who are after a more defining look for their chimney tops, though it should be noted that they do lack several features enjoyed by more modern alternatives. Flue ventilators can be found on our chimney pot page. This can lead to serious structural issues with your chimney, as well as being unpleasant, so we’d definitely recommend capping off your chimney. Capping a chimney has it’s benefits if your no longer going to use it, the main benefit is the thermal efficiency it will give your home. Install a chimney cap to prevent unwanted pests and animals from nesting in your chimney and becoming a headache for you and your family.Not only this, but chimney capping cowl can also prevent sparks and embers from escaping and stop moisture from entering and damaging the interior of your chimney. If your chimney is open, it will let warm air and heat escape from your home. How to Close an Unused Chimney. Chimney cap installation varies between the different cap types available, though there are similarities between some of the different models. The clamps are spring-loaded, meaning they can adapt to pretty much any sized pot. Simply select Klarna during checkout to apply! This provides better insulation and protection, from moisture and birds as well as draughts. Creatures such as mice, slugs, and birds can all make themselves a permanent home in an unprotected chimney, causing damage and leaving some smelly debris behind! How Much Maintenance Do Chimney Caps Require? Capping a chimney involves the installation of a covering on the top of a chimney, blocking the chimney opening. Another alternative is to simply seal the chimney altogether, though this is a practice rarely used today. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer © 2020 Roofing Megastore Ltd, All Rights Reserved. However, cowls can also be used as an alternative to chimney capping, especially if you think the chimney may soon come back into use, especially if you plan on connecting to an appliance in the near future. Along with this, like any clay roofing materials, it is prone to cracking and damaging years on your roof, or after a fall. This is as a capped chimney prevents sparks or embers from escaping, trapping them in a safe place until they go out. Repointing a large chimney stack in the centre of … C-Caps come with several different features included, such as insect filters designed to prevent bugs from getting into your chimney and creating a nest there. C-Caps can be installed in just a few seconds flat by using the clamps provided to secure it to the inside of the chimney pot. There are a few different types of chimney cap available, each suited to different kinds of chimney and property. Amazon.co.uk Today's Deals Warehouse Deals Outlet Subscribe & Save Vouchers Amazon Family Amazon Prime Prime Video Prime Student Mobile Apps Amazon Pickup Locations Amazon Assistant ... Chimney Pot Cap Capping Vent Cowl Colt Econolid disused Chimney. Capping chimneys can result in a host of benefits to you and your home and is definitely a process to consider. You can also use this time to inspect the security and strength of the cap, which could become dislodged over time. For details of recommended fitters, along with chimney cap installation cost and chimney cap replacement cost, please read on. It makes a great deal of sense to install a chimney cap, when you look at the benefits.There are, however, some problems which can occur because of a chimney topper, particularly involving wire mesh. The best chimney cap If you’re looking for a good long term solution to capping a disused chimney its very hard to beat the C-Cap in my opinion. Over the years, weather damage and wear and tear can comprimise the integrity of the chimney. DIY Chimney cap installer – This video on chimney capping lists three very common methods that are easy to fit, and easy to take off again when and if you need to. There are a number of different options available when capping a chimney, depending on whether the chimney is in use or not. So, should you totally seal your chimney? A chimney on the gable end of a semi-detached house is expected to cost £800 due to scaffolding costs. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Post a Job. The main downside to sealing the chimney with lead is the fact that, while it is waterproof from the outside, the lack of ventilation can allow for water to build considerably on the inside, which cause problems as it will have nowhere to escape to. Find Chimney Caps Tradesmen across the UK. Capping off your chimney will help to create an effective barrier, preventing downdraughts from happening. This will cut your heating bill right down instead of heating the street. Sometimes, replacing just the fixings of your cap is also an option, as it is these that usually wear first. If you are unsure about any of the processes mentioned in this post, don’t hesitate to consult an expert for their advice or assistance on the matter. Some are designed to act as temporary protection, whilst others offer a more permanent fix. Would it be advisable therefore to have the chimney capped? The other option is getting your chimney fitted with a ‘cap’, normally made from terracotta. They are also ideal if you have problems with birds nesting in your chimney or debris falling in, as they provide great protection from the elements. Once you have decided on a style of chimney cap to purchase, you then need to install it on your roof. Post your job and we'll start the process right away. It also provides efficient ventilation that simply wouldn’t be achievable if the chimney was sealed outright. This is especially important if you have overhanging trees. They are normally used to properly ventilate chimneys that are connected to more modern appliances such as gas fires and wood burners, also helping to protect your chimney of the elements. Chimney capping - is it a DIY job? 8 Answers. These caps are particularly useful for those with chimneys that they fear are getting older or in danger of falling apart suddenly. This way any future change of mind and no money has to be spent fitting new chimney pots or altering brickwork.If your thinking of chimney capping you will see two off the shelf solutions that can be purchased at a good roofing yard or online via the website link.The third method is a very old fashioned way to seal a chimney with lead, this really should be a temporary solution only, but it will seal a chimney waterproof and airtight.Remember capping off the wrong chimney can be very dangerous, if you are in any doubt call in a professional!! 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