3 birds 2 months and Vacu-Stack cap !

[Pallet Pete]

I have discovered that our new cap is a bird magnet birds think that it is home away from home. The squeeze in then rattle rattle thunk thunk thump boom chirp chirp and they are in the stove . The cat goes crazy and materializes out of thin air in front of the stove. We have a Vacu-stack 6" chimney cap. I took some hardware cloth and cut it to fit then popped it in and we haven't had any more birds. The question I have is will it hurt to put galvanized hardware cloth in the cap.

Thanks
Pete

Edit this is close to what I used.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hardware-cloth-10-ft-x-24-in--3627047

 

[pen]

That's a good question. In general, I've always kept away from mixing metals for fear of a reaction (essentially rusting) between the two. There are some chemist type folks on here who I hope chime in here.

However, I have a few questions that may help out those who are better with metallurgy than I am when answering your question later. How did you attach this cloth? Did you wrap it around the stack and attach with screw or rivets? Did you set it up so you could remove it during the burning season or do you plan to keep it on?

If you have any concerns, it may be better to clean the stove out of its contents and leave a note in it saying "DO NOT BURN, CHIMNEY PLUGGED AT CAP" and if the cap is easily accessible remove it for the off season and stuff some insulation in, or put a rag over the top and put the cap back on to secure it until next fall.

pen

 

[Pallet Pete]

It is pushed inside the outer layer of the cap I will do my best to get a picture as soon as it is light out. There are no screws or anchors. I have often thought about stuffing insulation in the end a putting a bucket or cap over it for the off months. It is double wall so I would have a water issues unless I can find a plug cap that covers the outer walls too.

Pete

 

[Pallet Pete]

I hope you can see the cap well enough ! The wire is tucked in the outer layer on the cap.

Pete

 

[Ashful]

I bought some 3/4" stainless punched metal mesh when I had to create a guard for the top of my flue, as it's squeezed into a tight space under a flagstone chimney cap / topper. It was under $100 for a 4x4 sheet, which was expensive enough I did not want to screw it up, but not so expensive in the grand scheme of a stove installation. I think I had priced it out at a few places like McMaster-Carr and MSC, but ended up buying from some guy on Amazon in the end.

 

[Pallet Pete]

I bought some 3/4" stainless punched metal mesh when I had to create a guard for the top of my flue, as it's squeezed into a tight space under a flagstone chimney cap / topper. It was under $100 for a 4x4 sheet, which was expensive enough I did not want to screw it up, but not so expensive in the grand scheme of a stove installation. I think I had priced it out at a few places like McMaster-Carr and MSC, but ended up buying from some guy on Amazon in the end.

We planned on ordering stainless but the birds had other plans and I needed a quick fix . I will check out Amazon I like the idea of stainless with stainless cap.

Thanks
Pete

 

[begreen]

This is what I would recommend:
(broken link removed to http://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh/TWPCAT_14/p_002X002WT0216W48T)
also in a heavier gauge:
(broken link removed to http://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh/TWPCAT_14/p_002X002WT0470W48T)

 

[Pallet Pete]

This is what I would recommend:
(broken link removed to http://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh/TWPCAT_14/p_002X002WT0216W48T)
also in a heavier gauge:
(broken link removed to http://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh/TWPCAT_14/p_002X002WT0470W48T)

Thanks begreen I am placing an order for the 1/2" 0.22 that looks like a good fit for the cap.

Pete

 

[REDTAIL]

I think you're fine with galvinized. But, be careful if you burn pitchy wood, like
pine and fir that create black soot; especially if you burn with low or no air. It
can clog even 1/2" cloth. I had it happen last year and got some smoke in the
house. Got up on the roof and it was about 90% clogged! I took my cloth out.
My cap has some straping around it that works fine to keep most birds out. And
in my area there don't seem to be any birds that like my chimney.

Also, here's a tip for when you do get birds in your stove:

Keep the stove closed. Close all the drapes in the room. Darken it up and open either one window
or the front door (in my case) during the daytime, so that it's the only bright thing in the room. Then
open the stove door and the bird will fly directly towards the bright light. Worked every time when I
lived in an area where that was a problem, years ago...

 

[Ashful]

I used the same trick as Redtail for a squirrel in my stove last year, but in my case, I made the only light that coming down the chimney. Basic procedure was to wrap the stove in blankets to make it dark and quiet inside. Then feed a rope down into the stove from the chimney top. The next sunny day, the squirrel found his way toward the light, up the chimney. Sure beats trying to catch a soot-covered rodent with your hands.