How to Mount a Chimney Top
Have you observed a draft emitting from your chimney flue? The flue may be damaged by rain or animals might have taken up residence inside the flue, like bats. A damaged chimney can have rippling effects on your energy bill. Chimney tops are merely thin sheets of steel, copper or aluminum. Most chimney flues are round, and the flue the type of cap and installation depends largely upon the material of the flue.
Tools:
- Gloves
- Caulking gun
- Measuring tape
- Pencil or chalk
- Drill (or masonry-bit)
- Measure the inside diameter of flue opening, so you will know what type of cap to order, whether a slip-in or one just attached to flue.
- Select a cap that will fit on your flue, e.g. top mount or inside mount cap.
- Mount the cap on the chimney flue by screwing it tight or use an adhesive. This depends on what type of cap you’re installing. These instructions are for top mounting caps that come with adhesive.
- Place cap where it is going to be mounted on the crown.
- Bend the cap’s projecting rim (at the bottom of cap) so that it is in harmony with the crown.
- Trace a line around perimeter of the cap’s rim. Use a caulking gun to make a thick wavy bead along the inside line, about an inch wide.
- Place cap on the trace and press its rim on the adhesive bead to firmly attach it. A top mount comes with screws and masonry bit, otherwise purchase them
- Place the cap on the crown exactly where you intend to fix it. Ensure cap rim is in accord with chimney crown.
- Drill holes through the projecting rim into the crown with the masonry bit, while you hold cap firmly on the crown. Fasten the screws tight through the holes to hold the cap.
- Check to see that the cap is perfectly fitted, then finish mounting with the remainder of the screws.