Capped chimney

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Grayce

New Member
Nov 28, 2015
1
St. Charles
We have a second chimney that goes to the basement. It isn't connected to anything. It had a plug or cap put on in the mid-90s at the top sealing it off. Recently when someone came to inspect our working fireplace he bent up a corner of the cap on the non-working chimney. He said it was for airflow, to stop condensation that would drip into the basement. (We've never had water drip from that chimney but we did get a squirrel drop through the opening he made.) Now he wants to put a regular chimney cap on it. Is his reasoning on the up and up? No other inspector has mentioned any thingabout the unused chimney.
 
He is right that moisture could be trapped in there, and that would deteriorate the liner, adjoining chimney etc. I'd plug it down in the basement, and put a correct chimney cap on the top to allow it to breathe, but as unconditioned space, as in household air wouldn't be leaking into it.
 
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