Insulating a Stainless Steel Pipe, Block off plate and Chimney Cap Issues

I had my stove installed last year and the installer did a lousy job. I wanted a block off plate and he claimed it was not necessary since it was to be insulated and sealed at the top. Well a year later I find that he did not even seal the top and my chimney cap got clogged (see image). I can only imagine how much heat is being lost and how the top of the chimney is too cold and creating creosote. Well I got really pissed and he is saying he will come out and fix the cap. I am planning on having him install one like Brother Bart recommends (see below the top is hinged and can be easily opened for cleaning). But reading more I see how many people recommend having the pipe insulated.

Since the pipe is already installed could I just have the top several feet insulated when the cap is being installed? I really do not like the idea of pouring in a liquid to permantley alter the chimney. My chimney is terra cota lined. It is probably close to 30 feet tall. Should I go to the hassle of trying to have the whole pipe removed and insulated?

I figure next summer I will try to remove the insert and make a block off plate at the bottom.

if you click on the link below you will see what I am thinking adding, atleat a few feet.
http://www.chimneylinerdepot.com/store/938/category/Insulation-Blanket.html

Dune said:

Looks like the top of your flue tile is just inches above your asphault shingles.

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Must be the picture, the chimney top is a good 5 feet above the shingles and a 32 foot ladder will not reach the top, so it is a bit scary for me up there with a extreme pitched roof.

BrotherBart said:

Love those caps. And as to the insulation, give what I did a try and see how it works before going for fully insulated. Mine are packed with Rockwool down to about four or five feet from the top. In five years and a bunch of wood burning the draft is like a Hoover in both and accumulation is negligible. I sweep'em but sometimes I think it is just because I have dragged the stuff up there with me anyway.

Not the least of the good things about those caps is that you can see if they are clogged, which mine never have been, from two hundred yards away. On the ground. Wind seem to just blow the crud out of'em.

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BB or anyone,do you know a good place to buy some rockwool? I was also wondering if just putting some in damper opening without pulling the stove out would be worth a try.