Description
Capping a chimney, or just keeping birds off it?
These are different jobs and they need different products. The first question is whether the flue is still in use, because a chimney in use must stay ventilated and must not be capped.
The chimney is disused
Then a cap is right, and that is this product. The C Cap seals the pot against rain, snow, nesting birds, squirrels and leaves, and reduces the heat lost up an unused flue. Standard fits round pots up to 280mm external diameter, the large size up to 330mm. £24.70.
The chimney is still in use
Do not cap it. You need something that stops birds without closing the flue:
- Decorative Universal Chimney Pot Guard stops birds perching or nesting on the pot while leaving it open. One size fits 150mm to 225mm pots, and it comes in black, silver and terracotta so it can be matched to the pot. £31 to £33.
- Chimney Pot Mesh Balloon is the cheapest option at £14.94. Galvanised steel mesh, push-fit, and it suits pots of various sizes.
- Spark Arrester Chimney Cowl is the one to use on a thatched roof, where an ember leaving the flue is the risk rather than a bird entering it. Double meshed, fits 125mm to 250mm pots. £178.24.
The birds are landing on the stack, not the pot
A pot guard does nothing for birds sitting on the brickwork. Spikes do:
- Chimney Bird Deterrent Spike fits square and round chimneys and deters pigeons, gulls, crows and jackdaws without harming them. £29.75.
- Scarborough Chimney Spike is the heavier gull answer, 3mm stainless steel rods, supplied flat and opened out on site. £32.40.
See the full chimney protection range.
The C-Cap chimney cowl helps minimise heat loss from disused chimney flues. Provides 100% protection against rain, hail, snow, nesting birds, leaves etc. Fits round chimney pots up to 280mm external diameter. Large C-Caps fit chimney pots up to 330mm external diameter.
Installation
1. Check that the pot is in sound condition and not cracked. Any cracked pots should be replaced or strapped prior to installing C-Cap
Remove the spring wires.,clamp and screws.
If the optional insect screen (supplied in all cases) is to be used, lay this in the C-Cap
Fit the spring wires. One of the central slots is slightly deeper than the other. Fit the first wire into the deeper slot followed by the second wire. Check that both wires are evenly positioned.
Secure the wires firmly in place with the clamp and screws. The screws can be screwed fully home, but do not overtighten.
Insert the ends of two adjacent wires into the pot, pointing away from you.
Tap or push the cap away over the far side of the pot so that the other ends of the wires (nearest you) are located as close as reasonably possible to the near edge of the pot rim. Then pushthese ends of the wires into the pot.
Once these are in, simply tap the C-Cap down on to the pot.
