Do I Need a Chimney Brace?

Hey Joe:
We live in southern New Mexico. If it were mine, I would brace it. I can also tell you a story. One year we had about 4 feet of snow on top of the house, after two 24" snowfalls in 48 hours. When the snow decided to vacate the roof, it slid off and sounded and felt like an earthquake. Our chimney pipe was not harmed, as it was within a foot of the peak of the roof. However, vent pipe to our hot water heater was near an exterior wall- it was folded in two and almost ripped entirely off. Our local stove shop installed a rigid steel diverter above that pipe, and we have never had a problem again.

if it looks like you need a brace, you probably do. better to be safe

If I lived in Maine I would want a brace and diverter for the snow and ice.

I live in SE Mass on the coast , so I would want two braces to keep it on the roof during a hurricane and a diverter for rain.

Check the installation instructions from the pipe manufacturer. Usually additional support is required above the roof if the chimney height exceeds 4 feet. You need a roof brace (usually for 4 feet to ~8 feet), if your pipe was longer I would suggest a support band with guy wires.

Joe do what BG did...better safe than sorry. 6ft and no brace...that's an accident waiting to happen you gotta lock down that kind of stuff now.

BeGreen, what a great view!

Hopefully BeGreen clicks back on this topic........

Hey BeGreen: in our pic, how do you clean your chimney? What's your method?....being that your cap is way above your roof.

I just installed a new chimney, and its about 6' above my roof. (4/12 pitch)

Well, If your burning there shouldn't be much snow around the pipe anywise, as enough heat radiates from the piping to melt the snow around it. (at least for me)

You should be concerned about when the snow brakes free from the roof and starts sliding. I think a decent crick would at least help solve this problem.