Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Self-installation of chimney cap

We have a single flue chimney with a single opening from the chimney. We have measured it carefully. How difficult would it be to put the cap on ourselves after we have the fireplace cleaned and inspected? We are relatively experienced in home improvement.

Googled this topic and can't find any info on installing it myself. Seems like it would not be that hard.

smiling1809,

I have provided some links for you regarding good info on caps.

Not knowing what type of flue you have, clay, metal, I will suggest one thing for you to make this easy. As long as you are going to have your fireplace, flue cleaned and inspected, the same company can also easily install your new cap. Why chance injury or the hassle of installing when it can be done all at one time?

http://hearth.com/what/chimneycaps.html

http://www.hearthproducts.com/hearthproducts/ezfit/

http://www.thevictorianfireplace.com/chimneycaps26e.htm#hip

Hope this helps!

We have a clay flue. It extends from the chimney and is pretty small. They have caps for it at the home improvement store. We talked to a person in the fireplace department who said they are very east to install. DH is very used to getting on roofs. When he was younger, he did roofing. He also did some roofing work this summer to help a friend.

Doing ourselves will cost less that $50. The least expensive quote I got was $189 not including the cleaning/inspection. Our roof isn't very steep either--so I don't know what the deal is.
Thanks for the links!

smiling1809,

After all that history, wonder why you even asked the question but I agree that the $189 is just too high!

They are easy to install. Good luck and go out on the town and spend the extra on what you guys like to do.

Good Luck!

With the clay tile of the flue sticking out you have it made. For that they come two ways. One is called a band to tile and the other way you can get it is clamp to tile. Id go with the band to tile. All you need is a screw driver and a pliers. You might also get a bird guard with it and put it on while your up there;) ED

I just installed two this weekend that I got from Lowes. Took about 30 seconds each! That had bird/animal guards on them as well. No tools needed. Just position the clamps as needed and push it into the clay tile. The same unit fit both my furnace chimney (8x13) and my fireplace chimney (13x13). Not sure how it would hold up to high winds but it seems pretty secure to me.

They are very easy to install, just depends on the cap you buy, most universal type you just need your measurements and they just push down inside, some of your more expensive ones you will need to know if your flue tile sticks up above the mortor and if it does how much, usually 1" - 2", if it doesn't they will sell you inside adaptors at about an extra $10.00.