Chimney cap plugging up every few weeks?

[crashmymax]

I cleaned my chimney and cap. within 3 or 4 weeks the cap plugged up and smoke started coming in the house. I got on the roof and see the cap was plugged up. Cleaned it again. Today I noticed the fire not wanting to burn well so up I went and sure enough about 3/4 plugged up. This is a quadrafire 7100 I only burn pine which I know creates more creosote but is this normal? Is my cap a poor design? Any advice or help is appreciated.

 

[Highbeam]

Your cap is a poor design. This is not caused by pine.

 

[bholler]

I cleaned my chimney and cap. within 3 or 4 weeks the cap plugged up and smoke started coming in the house. I got on the roof and see the cap was plugged up. Cleaned it again. Today I noticed the fire not wanting to burn well so up I went and sure enough about 3/4 plugged up. This is a quadrafire 7100 I only burn pine which I know creates more creosote but is this normal? Is my cap a poor design? Any advice or help is appreciated.

View attachment 257325

Yes those caps are horrible. But you can only use caps designed to be used with that specific chimney system

 

[crashmymax]

Ok so I am stuck with it? Or I need to see if there is a better one for the pipe used for my chimney?

 

[bholler]

Ok so I am stuck with it? Or I need to see if there is a better one for the pipe used for my chimney?

I would see if there are other options. But I don't really think there is.

 

[mark cline]

I would cut out every other slat to open the cap up more.

 

[4fire]

5 minutes with a set of tin snips should improve how it breathes.

 

[weatherguy]

Dry pine doesnt cause any more creosote than hardwoods, as long as its dry you should be okay doing the suggested above.

 

[begreen]

Might be worth checking into some other termination cap options for the SL300 chimney pipe.

TCT375 | Hearthside

SL300 Series Wood Burning Chimney

 

[crashmymax]

Thanks for the fast responses. My first instinct was to cut some of the slats out but was not sure if that could cause some other issues. I'm going to check into any other possible caps first if nothing else will work I think I'll get another like I have and cut some slats out and see how it performs. Thanks again

 

[Ludlow]

What is the OD of your pipe? That cap looks like a gas appliance vent. Get this if it is 8" OD. Universal retrofit.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SuperVent-6-in-W-x-5-in-L-Stainless-Steel-Round-Chimney-Cap/3442584?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-rpe-_-google-_-lia-_-171-_-ductworkandventing-_-3442584-_-0&store_code=1660&placeholder=null&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6IuA7rLg5wIVy56zCh3zEwKOEAQYASABEgLB8fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[HickoryMan]

Long time lurker here, but I had to comment on this thread. I have the same chimney system and termination cap. I have been burning since November pretty much all day and I have not had a blockage or buildup like that. I burn 99% hickory and I think that might make a difference vs softwoods. Anyway just wanted to add that your situation seems excessive to me. BTW, I cleaned my flue and cap in December and cap was fine. ....did have creosote in the pipe, but cap was not blocked. Good luck.

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks for the fast responses. My first instinct was to cut some of the slats out but was not sure if that could cause some other issues. I'm going to check into any other possible caps first if nothing else will work I think I'll get another like I have and cut some slats out and see how it performs. Thanks again

The screen/louvers on the cap don't do anything to help your chimney system work. They are nothing but a negative for performance. The only value is wildlife exclusion and to slightly reduce the chances of burning garbage floating out of your chimney. Many brands have optional screens or no screen at all on the caps.

 

[MissMac]

Your cap is a poor design. This is not caused by pine.

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