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Is a cap needed on a chimney pipe?

Hardware stores sell ready-made products made of galvaniz sheet steel that can be install on the chimney cap right away. But anyone with minimal metalworking skills can make a pipe cap themselves.

It seems obvious to many that a cap on the pipe is necessary.

The main task of the device is not limit to investor data the Is a cap ne on a chimney pipe? from precipitation, dust and debris. The functions of the pipe umbrella include:

  • protection against the so-call draft reversal – blowing smoke back into the chimney in strong winds;
  • protection against penetration of birds and small animals into the chimney;
  • extending the service life of a brick or steel pipe;
  • chimney decoration.

The main role of the cap is obvious – it protects the chimney from atmospheric moisture penetration into the heating system, which is extremely undesirable and has a negative impact on the for automatic generation click on the generate ads button of the boiler equipment.

But there are also counterarguments against installing a cap:

  • the structure may interfere with the removal of smoke and combustion products from the chimney, being an obstacle in the path of the air flow;
  • the cap can ruce the draft in the pipe;
  • Due to the presence of water vapor in the exhaust gases, ice forms on the visor in winter, and combustion products do not escape outside, but return back through the pipe in a concentrat state, poisoning the air in the room.

A cap on the chimney pipe will not hurt, provid that it is correctly select and install in accordance with SNiP and safety requirements.

Although some modern types of chimneys provide Is a cap ne on a chimney pipe? devices for the removal of moisture and condensate, installing a weather vane on the pipe will protect the italy numbers from clogging and birds from entering the pipe opening.

The principle of operation of the cap

The principle of the cap is clear: it creates a mechanical barrier to atmospheric moisture, precipitation, wind, airborne particles, and leaves. The shape of the protective element is usually conical or pyramidal, i.e. sloping. This ensures free flow of water from the cap onto the roof, bypassing the chimney opening.

For this purpose, the cap device is design in such a way that the diameter of the cap exces the diameter of the pipe. The base of the visor – the apron-drip – partially covers the mouth of the pipe, preventing the draft from tipping over.

Types of caps

Regardless of the type of boiler equipment, all chimney Is a cap ne on a chimney pipe? are divid into different types by shape:

  • gable;
  • pyramidal;
  • conical;
  • hipp;
  • spire-shap;
  • flat.

Most devices resemble a birdhouse or a small house without walls with a roof on small supports and a base for installation on the pipe head. Different manufacturers offer weather vanes with various functional elements – mesh partitions for protection from birds, flaps, viewing windows, doors

There is a separate type of caps for chimney pipes – deflectors. These are functional devices design to increase draft by creating a low-pressure area in the upper part of the pipe.

Deflectors are a more complex design, with several varieties, including rotary mini-turbines made of sheet steel. The deflector improves the performance of boiler equipment by 20%.

How to make a cap with your own hands?

Despite the limit service life, it is recommend that caps be made of durable galvaniz sheet steel. This is an easy job that anyone with a simple set of tools can handle.

First, you ne to measure the diameter of the pipe head to which the protective cap will be attach. Depending on the type of construction chosen, you ne to sketch out on paper an approximate sketch of the weather vane – gable, conical or hipp type.

It is necessary to adhere to the basic rules in arranging a protective element for a chimney:

  • Use the letter “d” to mark the height of each vertical side of the triangles, and the letter “B” to mark the length of their base.
  • The drawing must include the distance between two of the four sides of the pyramid that ne to be connect.
  • To connect the sides, it is necessary to make additional sections with a bend up to 15 mm high, in which holes are drill for installing rivets.
  • At the base of all triangles, you ne to draw sides that correspond to the shape of the rectangular chimney nozzle.
  • The fold lines must be mark with a dott line.
  • The finish template should be appli to a sheet of galvaniz or stainless steel and cut to shape using scissors or a metal knife.

Installation recommendations

It is important to correctly calculate the height and diameter of the cap, the height of which should be at least 10 cm from the pipe cut.

Installing a ready-made cap on a roof is quite simple if you follow safety precautions.

The structure should be put on the chimney pipe, not insert into it. If you leave a small gap of up to 3-4 mm, the cap will easily sit on the head. If the nozzle sits tightly, does not sway in gusts of wind, there is no ne to strengthen it. Otherwise, clay or adhesive solution is us for additional fixation of the nozzle on the pipe.

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