Draft issues with stainless chimney

[JRM]

Make certain you don't have a partial blockage up top from a bird nest. Little buggers make some really good restrictor plates when they get in there.
A chimney brush only compacts them and makes the problem worse.

 

[Rbohlin]

The band you see on the cap is called a “bird barrier” by some manufacturers. It’s to keep birds from landing and falling in and dying.

If you see liquid running down your stovepipe you have it installed upside down. The crimps must point down so condensation drips into the pipe below and ends up in the appliance (your stove).

Former National Chimney Sweep Guild Certified Chimney Sweep and woodstove retailer. Decades ago.

Russ Bohlin

 

[TooSoonOld]

For 50 years I used a clay flue in a brick chimney that my father built in 1940. Never had a problem and there was never a cap of any kind. When the flue finally cracked I installed a stainless steel liner with a cap. In less than a month of having fires, my house got a big belch of smoke every time I opened the stove. I found the cap completely clogged, so I took it off and my problem was solved. Can anyone tell me any downside to running without a cap?

 

[Del_]

For 50 years I used a clay flue in a brick chimney that my father built in 1940. Never had a problem and there was never a cap of any kind. When the flue finally cracked I installed a stainless steel liner with a cap. In less than a month of having fires, my house got a big belch of smoke every time I opened the stove. I found the cap completely clogged, so I took it off and my problem was solved. Can anyone tell me any downside to running without a cap?

Every now and then we will hear a bird in our wood stove during the non heating season.

I rescue it and take it outside and release it.

During the heating season I assume we've burnt a bird or two.

I'm running Selkirk Metalbestos double wall six inches inside diameter, eight inches outside diameter, inside of a stone chimney probably dating back to 1890 or before. I've stuffed fiberglass insulation around the Selkirk to stop air loss up the chimney.

 

[.358 win]

I've never had a cap that looked like that. I'd be very concerned if I did.

I've never seen a caps soot built up like that. That's a large buildup.. Your stove wants to burn a smaller fire hotter, if that cap remains in use. I suggest using a different style. Which you already know.... One alternative is to consult a local tin-knocker for a custom made one. Let them see the buildup thang you have there.. Your pipe needs a "sombrero" that doesn't restrict it's exhaust or intake. That kind of restriction or buildup was clearly a problem that could - would cause the stove to hack n choke. The larger the cap, the less build-up.. To Not have to go up there for cleaning the cap would be the Best. I feel very fortunate to not have to go through what you are doing to access your cap.. My smoke stack has tees with caps on the runs, not elbows,, for just that purpose ( not going up there). , Mostly cause I'm older now. The whole purpose is to clean with your feet on the ground.

 

[ErnieG]

Every now and then we will hear a bird in our wood stove during the non heating season.

I rescue it and take it outside and release it.

During the heating season I assume we've burnt a bird or two.

I'm running Selkirk Metalbestos double wall six inches inside diameter, eight inches outside diameter, inside of a stone chimney probably dating back to 1890 or before. I've stuffed fiberglass insulation around the Selkirk to stop air loss up the chimney.

This past spring I had a male and female bluebird in my stove that flew down the chimney. I heard them rustling around in the stove so I opened the door and they flew around the garage a while before flying out the door .
There was also a European starling ..he wasn't so lucky !
After that I took the clean out cap off the bottom of the T for the rest of the spring and summer.

Ernie

 

[Yarz]

I originally had a screen around my cap to keep the birds out. It clogged in the winter of using it.
Now there is no screen, and no clogs, but I do occasionally find a bird when I go to first use the stove in the fall.

 

[ErnieG]

My new cap ...

 

[VirginiaIron]

I did a search "Selkirk brand chimney cap problems", and AI produced this answer as well as indicating complaints of water leaks due to flashing, poorly fitted joints or fastener

• Draft problems:
  Certain Selkirk cap designs may not provide adequate draft control, leading to smoke backdrafting into the home, especially in certain weather conditions.
• Some common complaints about Selkirk brand chimney caps include issues with leaks due to poorly sealed seams, improper fitting clamps that may not secure the cap tightly to the chimney pipe, potential for wind-driven rain penetration around the flashing, and concerns about the cap design not providing optimal draft management, sometimes leading to smoke issues in certain weather conditions.