Irene = water coming down chimney?

Have you been up on the roof as of late to check on that silicone? The average roof should have a walk over 2x per year in my opinion (at the end of winter and in the fall) but I may have a touch of OCD.

It's amazing how 35 or 50 year caulking materials shrink after 2 years in many cases. Just because the caulk may last that long, doesn't mean the seal it is supposed to make will.

pen

2 seasons ago I put a cap on my grandmother's chimney because she had a water problem. First year around that chimney stayed as dry as could be. It's about time to do her pre-season cleaning anyway so I went over today (since my work was closed because of Irene) and did it. Wouldn't you know I pulled about 1/2 gallon of water from the bottom of her chimney.

This is a masonry chimney w/ no cleanout, just drops down about 6 inches below the thimble and ends on a solid block.

Cap's can't prevent everything. When my grandfather was alive he never would use a cap because of fear of them clogging. He burnt 2-3 year seasoned wood and cleaned monthly but was a fireman and had enough calls out because of them not to chance one. He would put a piece of plastic over the top of the chimney then a rock for the summer. When it came time to burn he'd take it off and would let the stove run until it was time to put shorts on, then cover up the chimney again. This worked well until he died and grandma only burns for a few weeks in the winter. The cap is a compromise I suppose.

Irene was a good test for my new cap and SS liner. So far it passed and I'm pleased to say the least.

pen