Oftentimes older houses have older chimneys which are no longer used or needed.  So they cap them off. 

In this case the idea was apparently to cover the chimney, and divert water, but still leave the chimney the ability to breath.

From outside the house I saw it and wondered if it was working.

I doubted it.

Inside the house, in the office, a part of the wall had been removed to expose this chimney's brick work as a decorative part of the wall.

That worked pretty well?

But the question remains, does this cap function as intended?

Is it working?  We report, you decide.

This is the view I got of the clean out port in the cellar.

Um, it seems pretty full!

Even where mortar was missing and I could see into the chimney (very old and no flue liner) it was obvious this chimney was very full!  This port is a good 30' from the top of this chimney!

I think this chimney has been unused for many years.

This cap does not keep out critters either, but I am betting there is not much room inside there for anything to live comfortably.

Squirrels, et al, are pretty ingenious about setting up their houses though!  It might be a very nice place in there!

And yes, if you're asking, that TV antenna is no longer used and should be removed as it is a lightning rod at this point.  Those small ground lines sometimes attached to them would not do much to divert a lightning strike!  In this case, where wasn't even that ground line, that I could see!

My recommendation:  when you cover a chimney, a metal, grilled cap is best practice.  That keeps out water, which is THE killer of chimneys, but also animals and debris.  Makeshift covers of the sort pictured here are often not useful.

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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21 Comments on Is It Working? We Report, You Decide

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JUN
21
668,926 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good morning Jay whats that I hear you are against the squirrels and other animals from having housing... Shame, shame on you they just want free housing as do some human beings.  :~)  Enjoy the day
3:36am • #2
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I don't know what the percentage of caps is here Clint, but lots don't have anything, for sure!

James - wouldn't be a problem if they paid a little rent.  Now, Julius Squeezer is obviously earning his keep.
3:38am • #3
1,052,401 Points 285 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, Did you just toss a match in that port to clean out the chimney after the inspection was done?  It's "fire-proof', right??
4:31am • #4
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That would surely have cleaned out the flue Bliz, but it might have cleaned out the house too!  Who knows how many gaps and cracks exist up inside those old walls!
4:36am • #5
405,185 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good morning Jay. I am seeing bats and squirrels loving the entry they have installed for them. Yikes.
5:24am • #6
445,301 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I've seen two houses completely destroyed when fire came through missing chinks in the chimneys.
5:34am • #7
164,168 Points Called Shot Master

Jay, another great post. Your is one of two blogs I look for first everyday. How much of a fire hazard is that chimney?
5:51am • #8
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I had a vacant listing that had a squirrel that managed to get in the chimney and die.  The smell was overwhelming!
6:29am • #9
254,084 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay- That looks awful! I hope the rest of the house was in better shape.
7:19am • #10
1,518,332 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You don't see many TV antennas these days, but I did see one driving through Braemar yesterday.  Stuck out like a sore thumb.  As for chimneys being capped, that is much less obvious.  Thank God for home inspectors like you.
8:43am • #11
227,617 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay -- the cap apparently was doing one of its intended purposes -- keeping the water out since the bottom material is totally dry.  Or maybe it just doesn't get wet enough to get that far down.
10:11am • #12
916,960 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, it would make for a nice chimney fire---or it might just smolder FOREVER
4:28pm • #13
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Randy - if there's room!  I think that flue might just be full to the brim!

Brian - it is very important to have these old chimneys looked at completely before use, if not simply put in a metal flue and be sure things are alright.

Tom - thanks, and total hazard, and apparently not used for years.

Kathryn - I opened a flue once during an inspection and a poor, dessicated squirrel fell out right in my face, bouncing on the metal grate in the fireplace!  I lost about 2 months of my life and everyone thought it pretty funny!
5:13pm • #14
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

The house was very nice Amanda, and the subject of my two previous blogs.

Chris Ann - Breamar!  Why!?  You have to wonder where the bought the thing!

Steven - in that regard it is a fine installation, angled well and diverting water from way around the flue.  But, over time, other things have made their way in!

Der Shadow - I bet you're right!  Like a big pile of tires!  Forever smoking.
5:16pm • #15
JUN
23
548,445 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jay, thanks for sharing such good information.  Proper capping can so easily prevent further issues.
11:07am • #16
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Even though it's not used now, it would be good to cap it right Chris.  You are correct.
2:44pm • #17
JUN
24
567,660 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Or you could remove the chimney. Those bricks could make a nice patio. 
4:48am • #18
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow they would Jim!  Then the patio would become a "feature" when the house is sold!
12:19pm • #19
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Not only that, but the proper cover would probably be easier to install, it would look better, and it would only cost about $25. 
6:46pm • #20
JUN
25
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yep, four screws!  Not much easier than that.  And it holds too!

Of course, Reuben's Chimney Cappers has to be called to get that puppy up there, and they don't cost $25...
3:03am • #21

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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