Quite a wind storm here today. At one point, winds were at 45 gusting to 50 something knots.
When I ventured outside this afternoon, I saw that the metal chimney cap was ripped off two connector points. It is still connected to the other two, but it is now perpendicular to the roof and not functioning as a cap in any way.
The chimney functions as an exhaust for a gas furnace and gas hot water tank. There was no screen around the top of the chimney, just the (now broken) cap. I appreciate the cap kept out most rain, but I don’t think it serves too many other purposes.
Obviously, the cap needs to be fixed. My question is how urgent is it that it gets fixed immediately?
My roof has a foot of snow on it right now. Between now and spring melt, the likelihood of rain exists, but precipitation will be mostly snow for about the next 6 weeks.
I would rather wait until spring before venturing up on the roof.
Is there any indication it should be addressed immediately rather than waiting until spring?
I don’t have an answer about the water getting into the chimney (I have some thoughts, but I’ll leave it to the people who actually know what they’re talking about). But, is it possible to reach the chimney cap with something from the edge of the roof? That is, can you get close enough with the ladder to reach it with a rake or a long piece of copper or steel electrical conduit (or a telescoping roof rake) to pull it back into place?
One question though…Do you have an actual brick chimney that goes all the way to the basement that the mechanicals vent into? If you do, I’d think the problem isn’t as dire as the water would just pool up at the bottom and hopefully evaporate over time. If it’s just a steel pipe that everything connects to and then it goes up between the walls I’d be worried about snow and water getting into the furnace and water heater.
That’s a good idea about trying to push it down. It may be possible - I’ll have a look in the morning. Thanks for the suggestion.
Chimney is brick all the way through to the basement. Furnace and water tank join chimney at angles such that I don’t think much water would get into the ducts.
I suspect you’re right about a minimum of concern, but I’m curious what a HVAC guy might say.
what you can run into over time is a mold problem migrating from your chimney to your furnace and then into your ducts. It’s not going to happen overnight.
When you get some good weather replace the whole thing with a new cap that has a screen. Not only will it keep excess moisture out but the last thing you want is for a small animal to fall down your chimney.
Unless you have the latest, most fuel efficient appliance, the flue(s) likely see condensation anyway. Typical masonry construction would provide clean out or ash accumulation space below the combustion device thimble entry, so no need to worry about water infiltration to respective units short of incompetent installation.
As Spartydog points out, ingress of animals or birds is the greater concern. I too would wait for clement weather.
When I first got this house the furnace had a pilot light that kept being blown out by the wind. I was told to install a chimney cap and it would fix the problem.
No pilot light - my furnace has an electronic ignition (which works very well until it fails without warning. on a cold weekend. which has happened twice in the 10 year life of the furnace. $275 per. which is mostly an after hours service call. but I digress).
The footing would be ok. However, if there is little to be lost by waiting until spring I would prefer to wait for some warmer temps and less white stuff to slog through. That’s the plan for now.
Gbro, the only time snow is better footing is when the alternative is ice. Shut the fuck up. Ten to one I’ve been on more roofs in the last year than you’ve been on in your life.
As to the OP, don’t sweat the chimney cap, in most circumstances it’ll be fine.
1 foot of snow makes for some very easy walking on a roof. How do i know?
I have shoveled my 8-12 roof many times and I do not feel at all comfortable on it bare.
And 21 years as a firefighter could help me know this also. Sure the book states we use a roof ladder. Well that’s books for you:dubious:
But I will close, Sir to each there own opinion.
And you have a nice day:)
Not going to really get in a snit, and I was a little rude earlier, apologies. But to advocate a run of the mill homeowner (Canadian no less!) to get on his snowy roof in January is just a tad irresponsible.
Kinda curious as to why you’d be shoveling an 8/12. Snow is what they are designed for, and shoveling only damages the shingles. But hey, what do I know.
Iron Range,
You posted just like an Iron Ranger:o, or, well, like Iron Rangers are are well known for:dubious:
Apology is Graciously accepted Sister.
The roof is old 2X4 hip no trusses, 2 layers of shingles, I wish i would have had better advice before I shingled over the others:(
And you know what kind of nights firefighters are on roofs for chimney fires, Ayee!
The 1st year on the Department (Volly) we didn’t have a free night through the coldest nights from chimney fires and I didn’t miss roof duty on more than a handful in 21 years. We even cleaned the chimney spotless in those days.
I did post as to the 1 foot of snow as you are correct that snow can be very slippery in most cases.
Had a bird fall down my chimney, through the furnace and into my basement. Scared the !#@$ out of me. Squirrels won’t fall down, they will climb down and set up house. I am an expert on chimney squirrel removal.
The chimney is a vent for two gas appliances and has the potential to become blocked and no one mentions carbon monoxide poisoning? Have someone get up there and repair it…now.
You’d have to get an amazing amount of exactly the right consistency snow to clog a chimney. Even if the conditions were right, I’d think the furnace and water heater sending out exhaust would melt the snow long before it could clog anything. In fact, I think a chimney would be more likely to clog WITH a cap. Then it would have the screen to build up against (but I still don’t see it happening.)