If you and your buddy are each wearing large brimmed hats and swivel your heads around quick to get a look at an attractive girl walking by, chances are your going to knock those hats askew. That's what I think of when I look at these two chimney caps. The one on the right isn't even on the flue liner, just like a hat partially knocked off a head. The one on the left looks like its right side has been cut away to make it fit.
Can you say hack job.
The truth is if a cap is to be installed on any multi flue chimney, it is best that a single cap that covers the entire top be installed, not individual caps.
Another problem I often run into when inspecting homes here in Connecticut is one cap installed on a multi flue chimney. As my diagram shows, this may keep the water out of flue being cover, but concentrates and directs water straight down the adjacent flue. I will usually find water stains in the basement at the chimney cleanout when I find this done on top of the chimney.
The best practice that will avoid problems like a waterfall down the flue or field modifications made by the "pro" is to have one large cap installed that covers the entire top of the chimney. It not only works better, it looks better too.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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