DIY chimney cap

[Deluks]

Wanting to cap my unused chimneys.

I need 3, coming in about £30 each that seems like a massive mark-up for what is basically a glorified biscuit tin lid!
Has anyone come up with a DIY alternative?

Terracotta plant trays? (or indeed a painted biscuit tin lid?)

 

[jj4091]

Long tye wraps and either thick plastic sheet or even lead.

 

[ree]

OP,
Are you referring to three flue terminals in one stack or three chimney stacks?

 

[Deluks]

3 pots.
I was thinking something like zinc sheet and a long worm drive strap.

 

[ree]

OP,
Presumably you are abandoning the three flues, and three fireplaces in the house below?
There are eg "pepper pot"ventilation cowls available that only need to be dropped into the flue pots. However new ones are £50 - £60 but plenty of seconds are often available in reclaimer's yards.
Whatever, I wouldn't attempt to codge something together - it could be dangerous.
Buy a cheap purpose made cowl.

 

[aveatry]

I made my own out of stainless steel mixing bowls held with stand off stainless steel strips held on to to pot with a big jubilee clip to keep air flow

 

[foxhole]

Wanting to cap my unused chimneys.

I need 3, coming in about £30 each that seems like a massive mark-up for what is basically a glorified biscuit tin lid!
Has anyone come up with a DIY alternative?

Terracotta plant trays? (or indeed a painted biscuit tin lid?)

Chimney Pot Cowl / Cap & Mesh - Wood / Log Burner Stove Flue Topper Bird Guard | eBay

The Chimney Cowl are designed to prevent rain, birds, vermin and leaves from entering used or unused chimney flues. The chimney cap is designed for unused chimneys, proving a bird guard and preventing downdrafts.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Deluks]

https://www.ebay.co.uk

Again, £30.
I could get an air fryer for that, or two mobile phones.

(The £7.95 advertised is just for the strap)

 

[Dereekoo]

I used some old alloy sheet that was used behind a gas fire/chimney opening. Made diameter 80mm bigger than pot, cut 40mm pleats around the edges, bent down to make a skirt, dropped on pot then tapped skirt around bulbous top of pot to secure against wind. That was during lockdown and its still up there.

 

[^woody^]

My mate Dodgy Dave does sent me this.
£4.50 all in, and choice of design.

He'll charge £500 for putting the vents in though.

 

[noseall]

Wanting to cap my unused chimneys.

I need 3, coming in about £30 each

Bargain.
If you can replicate their primary function I.e. keep the weather and the birds out, plus allowing airflow, AND something that's not going to rust away or blow away, fill your boots.
I'd be minded to make sure it was done once and done properly, regardless.

 

[Diver Fred]

The metal ones will last 10 to 15 years. Terracotta ones should last the lifetime of chimney pots. It's all very well making your own but they do need to provide a degree of air flow and remain in place securely. All metal ones do provide that as do the terracotta ones.

 

[aveatry]

My DIY one is all stainless steel and looks amazing with the sun glinting off it. Something like this (that the handles off ) with this https://www.screwfix.com using stainless steel nuts and bolts with niloc nuts. held on with a stainless steel big jubilee clip leaving a gap between the top of the pot and the bowl for air flow. just need to make sure that the bowl is wider than the pot.

 

[noseall]

My DIY one is all stainless steel and looks amazing with the sun glinting off it.

You must post a piccie, please?

 

[Dereekoo]

You must post a piccie, please?

Got to wait for some sun so may be a while!!!