Installing
a Copper Chimney Cap

Deciding to get a copper chimney cap can be due to a few reasons. The rain might be getting to be a problem, causing unwanted moisture or flooding in the fireplace, furnace, or stove below the chimney. Animals might be taking up residence in the chimney, blocking its vent and worsening its performance considerably.

So you have already decided, and ordered your very own copper cap, taking care to measure your chimney and get a cap of the right size and shape. While waiting for the chimney cap to arrive, you should begin thinking of how to install it on your chimney.

One possibility would be that the copper chimney cap comes with explicit instructions from the manufacturer. This should make the job a lot easier, as you would only have to follow these instructions to the letter. However, some chimney caps might come with inadequate documentation, meaning that you would have to determine what type it is and thus how to install it.

If your copper chimney cap is a single flue chimney cap, or the type that simply fits over the flue, you just need to slip it on. It should then cover the top few inches of your flue - just tighten the screws around the cap firmly, and you are done.

Sometimes, the copper chimney cap would need to be mounted inside the flue. In this case, you should push the chimney cap firmly into the flue, checking for a tight friction fit. The joint could then be sealed with an adhesive or silicone sealant.

However, note that if your copper chimney cap comes on a metal flue, using a silicone sealant would not be advisable. These metal flues often get to very high temperatures which make the silicone sealant unusable. For these chimney caps, manufacturers usually provide their own adhesive that can withstand higher temperatures, or screws or other means of securing the cap.

If all else fails, do not hesitate to call for help! Most manufacturers would have people to service your chimney and install your new copper chimney cap for you, usually for free but sometimes for a small fee.