The chimney cap is a modern architectural element. How to make a do-it-yourself chimney cap Chimney caps

Manufacturing and installation technology:

1. According to the calculated dimensions, a sketch is made, transferred to sheet metal and the elements are cut with scissors for metal.
2. The cones are bent on a mandrel and fasten the edges with rivets or by bending. Connect the umbrella and the reverse cone in the same way.
3. With the help of brackets, the parts are fastened together, maintaining the calculated distances.
4. Attach the deflector to the pipe. To facilitate its installation, the deflector can be equipped with a lower cylinder, the diameter of which allows it to be pushed onto the pipe.

The service life of a cap or deflector made of stainless steel is 25 years, of galvanized steel - at least 10 years. To extend it and give the galvanization an attractive look, you can cover it with black heat-resistant paint from a can. In this case, soot and soot will not be visible on the cap.

Installing the cap on the chimney is quite simple, and its benefits are obvious - you no longer have to spend time cleaning the chimney from leaves, fluff, dust at the beginning of the heating season. Precipitation will not get into the pipe, which will allow it to be operated without corrosion and destruction of the brick. Mounting the deflector, in addition, will make the draft stable even with a small pipe height, regardless of weather conditions.

The cap on the chimney pipe is not only a decoration, but also a protection against the ingress of debris and moisture, in addition, it can significantly improve traction. Its functionality directly depends on the size, shape, design.

The following types of caps are found in stores:

• four-sided windmills. Especially often installed on brick pipes;
• semicircular umbrella. They are used for European-style roofs, they perform a more decorative function, do not increase traction;
• standard flutes. Made from metal sheets, mounted on brackets;
• flat. The umbrella has a flat, rectangular shape. It is installed on buildings made in the Art Nouveau or minimalist style. In winter, snow does not come off such caps on its own, which can lead to deformation of the fasteners during heavy snowfalls;
• round flasks. Designed for round pipes, made of stainless steel.

When the chimney simultaneously performs a ventilation function, gable roof hoods are used. The opening lid is convenient for cleaning soot, which is important if the room is heated with firewood or peat briquettes.

When choosing a cap for a chimney, first of all, you need to consider the type of heater and the material from which it is made. So, the chimney for a brick oven is fundamentally different from the chimney of a gas boiler. The differences are in the different efficiency and temperature of the gases.

The designs of brick ovens can be different, but the traditional option is a square or rectangular brick pipe. Due to the formation of turbulence inside the pipe, the thrust weakens. Windy weather, low atmospheric pressure in general can reverse the draft and direct smoke into the room.

The rough surface of a brick wall retains soot, soot and dust. In the summer, the pipe can become a place for accumulation of leaves and other debris, which leads to a deterioration in traction or its complete absence.

To avoid such consequences, a cap is installed on the brick pipes, which will protect it from moisture and foreign objects. The design of the umbrella on the chimney pipe improves the traction force and ensures its constancy. Such an umbrella is called a deflector. Due to its design, it provides a discharge of the pipe in the upper part and air leakage.

Cap for solid fuel boiler

Solid fuel boilers (coal, wood, pellets) are often installed to heat homes. Their chimneys are made of metal double pipe or ceramic. Due to the smooth surface, the traction is constant and stable. Provided that the installation is correct, the precipitates are collected in the condensate trap and do not interfere with the exit of the flue gases.

Constancy and thrust force are ensured by the correct choice of pipe height. The length of the chimney of a coal-fired boiler model without forced draft can reach 8 meters. By installing a deflector, this figure can be reduced by 15-25%. On the pipe of boilers, in which the main fuel is anthracite or brown coal, a cap is installed - a deflector. The operation of boilers on wood or pellets is similar to coal ones, it is possible to install caps or deflectors on them, closed with a lid on top.

The efficiency of pyrolysis boilers is especially high and amounts to 92%. The fuel is burned almost completely, because of this, the temperature of the flue gases at the outlet can reach 180 degrees. This leads to the appearance of condensate, ice, soot deposits, narrowing of the lumen, and as a result, the ingress of carbon monoxide into the room. That is why for pyrolysis-type boilers it is recommended to install industrial-made caps with an open top. Its design eliminates the ingress of precipitation and dust, while not preventing smoke from escaping.

Cap on the chimney pipe of a gas and diesel boiler

In boilers of this type, the fuel burns almost without residue, and the exhaust smoke contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur compounds and water vapor. Smoke temperature from 120 to 150°C. During prolonged operation, the reaction of aggressive condensate can cause corrosion of the chimney elements. That is why it is recommended to install caps with an open nozzle. Chimneys - deflectors here will be impractical, since the gas boiler is equipped with forced draft.

For the manufacture of a cap on the chimney pipe, sheet metals are used. In addition, it may be the remains of roofing materials. The most commonly used are:

• sheet steel, aluminum;
• copper;
• stainless steel;
• zinc-titanium alloy.

The service life of steel caps can be up to 5 years, depending on the intensity of use and the aggressiveness of the gases. Aluminum will last an average of 5 to 8 years. The most durable are chimneys made of stainless steel, copper or an alloy of copper and zinc. They will easily stand up to 100 years without losing their shape and without being corroded.

Purpose and application

Deflectors are designed for:

• protection of the chimney from precipitation. When the level of moisture in the chimney is elevated, the active spread of the fungus begins. Dampness also leads to increased fuel consumption;
• protect pipes from debris. Foreign objects entering the chimney can lead to fire or smoke;
• optimization of the chimney. A properly selected and installed umbrella increases efficiency by up to 15%, and also provides consistency and increased traction.

The cap on the ventilation pipe is a functional element, so when choosing it, you should focus on its quality and strength.

Buy or do it yourself?

You can buy a cap for a chimney, or you can make it yourself. If you decide to take the path of least resistance and choose the first option, then the choice of an umbrella must be approached very responsibly. The main thing to consider when buying is the structure of the chimney. The best option for buying is a three-layer chimney made of modular panels arranged in the form of a sandwich. Such a device will protect the chimney from precipitation, because all the condensate will be collected in the collection.

If the boiler is gas, then it is preferable to purchase a cap with a nozzle made of acid-resistant chromium-nickel sheet. For a solid fuel system, installing a deflector - a weather vane would be an excellent option.

For a solid fuel system, along with a brick pipe, you can choose any cap you like. In a house where there is a fireplace, boiler or stove, it is recommended to install a removable hood to easily clean the chimney.

How to do it yourself?

The cap on the chimney pipe can be made independently. You will need galvanized sheet steel, metal shears, a welding machine, bends and a marker. Observe the following sequence:

1. take measurements from the chimney;

2. draw patterns on cardboard. The diameter of the umbrella should be 10 cm larger than the pipe so that it fits easily on the chimney. The angle of inclination of the slopes is 30-45 degrees. The minimum distance from the chimney cut to the cap is 10 cm;

3. copying the drawing onto a sheet of steel and cutting out the umbrella blank with metal scissors;

4. cutting out the remaining elements, bending the parts. At the joints, holes must be drilled at a distance of 15 cm from each other to ensure a reliable hitch. Fixing the visor on rivets;

5. production of metal brackets, their welding to the umbrella. Welding points must be treated with a metal primer to avoid corrosion;

6. application of anti-corrosion protection. When the coating is completely dry, the cap can be installed on the chimney.

In the design of a standard cap, a mesh is often additionally installed - a spark arrester. In addition to its direct function, it excludes the ingress of debris, animals, birds into the chimney. It is very important that the grate should be with large holes in order to exclude smoke in the room.

The strength and constancy of traction is the main condition for the smooth operation of the heating system. That is why special attention should be paid to the chimney cap, the material from which it is made and the correct installation. If you are not sure that you can do everything right on your own, from manufacturing to installation, then it is better to buy a cap right away. It will last a long time, and its price is low. The average duration of use of a steel chimney is 28 years. Repair or replacement of the cap must be carried out taking into account the following nuances:

• work only in favorable weather conditions;
• be sure to use a special roof ladder that is securely attached to the edge of the roof;
• do not do the work alone, someone should insure you below;
• use a safety belt, which must be securely fixed, for example, to the chimney itself;
• make a blind area around the pipe, the width of which is at least 80 cm;
• it is better to fix copper heads with copper or copper-plated fasteners, and zinc-titanium alloys with galvanized ones;

Installing a cap on a chimney pipe does not take much time, but it will save you a lot in the future. Now, with the onset of the heating season, you do not need to clean the pipe from debris, it will be protected from precipitation. This will eliminate corrosion and destruction of the brick and ensure many years of trouble-free operation.

Caps on chimneys perform not only a decorative function, they are needed to protect the chimney from precipitation. Also, such designs allow you to increase the draft in the chimney. But to protect the chimney, you need to choose the right deflector. Installing caps on pipes allows you to protect them from debris and increase traction.

Types of caps

In stores you can find products of the following types:

Important! Wind vanes can be equipped with additional elements.

For example: when choosing a cap for a pipe for your furnace, first of all, you should pay attention to its reliability. A beautiful, but ill-conceived shape of the product can cause noise and vibration.

Caps for brick oven

The design of chimneys can be different, but most often pipes are created, the cross section of which is rectangular or square. It is worth noting that they are less efficient, as turbulence is formed in them, which helps to reduce traction. Wind can blow smoke into the room. When purchasing a cap for a brick pipe, you can choose one of the many options, since there are many such products that have a different appearance.

It is also worth noting that the rough surface of the brick causes the accumulation of soot and dust. In this case, leaves and other debris can fall into the pipe. Because of this, the lumen of the pipe gradually overgrows and the thrust deteriorates greatly. That is why it is necessary to install a cap on the pipe, which will not only protect the pipe, but also help improve traction.

The deflectors create a vacuum in the upper part of the pipe and therefore the draft is greatly enhanced. Different types of deflectors can be made by hand.

Deflectors for solid fuel boilers.

Chimneys for coal and wood boilers are usually made of stainless steel or ceramic. Their inner surface is smooth, which contributes to increased traction. Precipitation and condensate in ceramic and stainless steel pipes drain into a condensate trap. If you create a cap with your own hands, you must make the design according to the instructions, otherwise it will be less effective.

The traction force and its stability are most affected by the choice of pipe, therefore, before purchasing or creating a deflector, it is necessary to accurately calculate the required length. For coal-fired boilers, pipes up to 8 meters long are usually installed. Thanks to the installation of a deflector, it is possible to shorten the pipe by about 20 percent.

It is worth noting that wood-fired boilers work in the same way as coal ones, so a deflector is installed on them, which is closed with a lid on top. It should be noted that pyrolysis boilers are an exception. The efficiency of such products is up to 92 percent. In the pipes of such boilers, the smoke temperature can reach 180 degrees. This causes a lot of condensation to form. Because of this, frost may appear on the pipe, and in warm weather, soot can accumulate. That is why it is recommended to install caps with an open nozzle on the indicated type of boilers. Such designs prevent precipitation from entering the chimney, but do not prevent the exit of low-temperature smoke.

Deflectors for gas and diesel boilers

In these boilers, combustion occurs almost completely, which is why the smoke temperature reaches only 150 degrees. With prolonged use of boilers, the condensate that appears in the pipe can cause metal corrosion, since it has an acidic reaction and is quite aggressive.

Given the peculiarity of the use of gas and diesel boilers, it is necessary to install deflectors with an open nozzle on the chimney. The use of another type of product is impractical, since gas equipment is equipped with forced draft and an additional negative pressure is not needed. If desired, you can make a cap for the described type of boilers with your own hands.

The principle of operation of the cap for pipes and its functions

The deflectors help to protect the chimney from outside airflows, which can contribute to the creation of reverse draft. At the same time, a vacuum is created in the upper part of the pipe, which increases traction and smoke is removed more efficiently.

The deflector performs the following functions:

1. Protecting the chimney from moisture penetration. With an increase in dampness in the chimney, favorable conditions are created for the spread of the fungus. At the same time, dampness also affects the increase in fuel consumption.
2. Protection against debris entering the pipe. The cap protects against falling into the chimney of various objects, which reduces the risk of fire and blockages.
3. Chimney optimization. A properly selected product for a pipe increases efficiency by about 15 percent. With the help of special aerodynamic deflectors, the draft in the pipe can be significantly increased.

Important! A pipe cap is primarily a functional element, therefore, when choosing or creating such a product, one should not give preference to a model that can create vibration or noise.

Making a cap with your own hands

You can make a chimney visor with your own hands, if you follow certain instructions. But it is worth remembering that in the absence of experience, it is better to assemble a simple but effective design. For the manufacture of the described design, it is necessary to purchase galvanized sheet steel. To work, you will need tools such as metal shears, a welding machine, a marker and bends.

You can make a cap on a chimney pipe with your own hands quite simply:

1. At the first stage, measurements are taken from the chimney.
2. Then the pattern of the future cardboard product is created. During operation, it should be borne in mind that the umbrella should be put on the chimney easily, so a gap of about 4 mm is added to the pipe dimensions.
3. After that, the drawing is transferred from cardboard to metal using a marker. Using scissors for metal, an umbrella blank is cut out.
4. At the next stage, the necessary elements are cut out of the metal plate, as well as the material is bent. In places where the edges will be connected, it is necessary to make holes, the distance between which should be about 15 cm. After that, the visor is fixed with rivets.
5. Then the pattern of the drip apron is transferred to the metal and cut out. During work, it is important to correctly cut the material to size so that the product effectively performs its functions.
6. Next, brackets are created from metal plates, which are then welded to the apron and umbrella. After performing such work, it is necessary to treat the welding spots with a primer for metal.
7. At the final stage, the anti-corrosion coating and paint are applied. After that, you need to wait about 2 days for the coating to dry completely. This completes the creation of a do-it-yourself chimney cap.

Boiler or stove heating in the house provides for the installation of a chimney, which in most cases leads to the roof. An obligatory part of the chimney pipe is a cap, which is installed at the end of the chimney. It is also called an umbrella, a visor, a weather vane or a lid, which can have a different shape, size and design.

Hardware stores sell finished products made of galvanized sheet steel, which can be immediately installed on the chimney cap. But anyone with minimal metalworking skills can make a pipe cap on their own.

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

The main task of the device is not limited to protecting the chimney from precipitation, dust and debris. The functions of the pipe umbrella include:

• protection against the so-called. overturning thrust - blowing smoke back into the chimney in strong winds;
• protection against penetration of birds and small animals into the chimney;
• extending the life of a brick or steel pipe;
• chimney decoration.

The main role of the cap is obvious - it protects the chimney from the penetration of atmospheric moisture into the heating system, which is extremely undesirable and negatively affects the operation of boiler equipment.

But there are also counterarguments against installing a cap:

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

The cap on the chimney pipe will not interfere, provided that it is correctly selected and installed taking into account the requirements of SNiP and safety regulations.