http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Chimney/Clay-Pots/Cathedral-Clay-Chimney-Pot

Removed a dead squirrel at the damper this week. Homeowner wants three chimneys capped...all are the style above.

Your link goes TO a cap, If that's what's up there you need to remove each one and line the cap with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep the squirrels out.

I would contact the manufacturer of the cap. I'm sure this is not the first time they have had this issue they may have the solution for you. If they don't what big bob said or don't overlook construction adhesives. If you can't remove them I would think you could use 1/2 by 1/2 or go heavier 1/2 by 1 cut them to fit and glue them with a fast drying heat resistant glue. If you didn't feel good about the glue holding you could go with the 1/2 by 1 put it inside but take some snaring cable and make a band for the outside looping it thru the 1/2 by 1 pull it tight and crimp it. The taper of the stack and gravity will hold it in place.
These are my thoughts I think they would work but I would also get advice from copperfield and Hy-C if the manufacturer doesn't have the answer.

I agree with BB simple, but then what do I know ? I am a landscaper.

Once you put screening on it, it is going to look terrible. Taking away of the astectic value of it. I would pull it out and put in a square one. then add a standard cap. It will look much better. Or you will need to take piece of cardboard and trace out a template of one side. Lay down a strip of stainless or copper, 1x1 heave wire or expanded wire mesh, and trace out a template in series. Be sure to leave enough on each end to overlap. Wrap the wire around the tile and bolt it together. Use matching bolt, washer and nuts to draw tight and secure the ends. Your fence would look look something like this after cutting it on top and flat across the bottom. -^-^-^-

Thanks for the responses. Aesthetics are gonna be critical on this house for sure. I'm going there this morning and actually go up and examine them closely and see what I can do. Good idea about contacting the manufacturer a well.

affix wire on the inside using hi temp adheasive

Like Vinke said . I would use 1"+2" heavy gauge so the coons don't eat threw it . You can hold the wire in place with wire around each strut and won't be seen from the ground till the adhesive takes hold . Removing animals with a cupola style chimney can add a little time . This video I made shows how I went at it . Can't really think of anything I would do different .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXInT_CB3hA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The family was very happy to see things end in a good way for all as you can see in this video . I was thinking how I'm I going to cap that thing . The customer said they have been trying to find a cap for it that didn't show but had know luck . I did just like Vinke said but it was not easy . Hard to work inside that thing when your down to the last side but I got it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaCdCPuH-VE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

i would contact not only the manufactureer if possible, but i would get ahold of the local fire marshal to make sure you stay within proper fire code. i called my local FM yesterday because i wasn't quite sure. he explained what i could do and not do and then showed up when i was done to sign off with a copper tag on the meshing to verify that it was inspected and up to code. I do this to cover my seat, if for whatever reason a house burnt down and they find that the only thing wrong is that the chimney cap was tampered with ie you added wire mesh that was the wrong size or type or put the wrong cap on etc. guess who just baught a new house? YOU!! so cover your self and your wallet and when in doubt call the marshal out.

Yew ain't seen nuthin' yet - had a job last week where a handyman had used a roof vent to cover the chimney (venting two water heaters). Just wait for the first ice storm... bye-bye, occupants!
I probably saved some lives removing that thing..and that handyman's skin.

Why fabricate one? At least with a cap manufactured with by a third party....they usually have deeper pockets than a trapper. They make better targets to lawsuits if you burn the house down or the cap gets plugged and you affixiate the family with CO. Looks like more trouble than it will ever be worth. It is not a sin to pass on a job...if you are not a good fit.

I would leave them just the way they are. How else are you going to be able to charge $999.99 per cap and still go back and remove animals and birds regularly? Obviously your customer wants people to drive by their house and say. "Hey look at the ugly and stupid caps those people installed on their chimney"!

Got on the roof and examined these caps today. The one I was able to get to without a lift had been screened with hardware cloth (note left hole of nearest cap) although it was a poor and ineffective job. I'm considering cementing in expanded metal as in the pic. Metal would be custom cut to fit tight. Also would paint black with a high temp paint. Will seek approval from fire marshal as suggested. I spoke with the company that manufactures these and they (at least the person I spoke with) didn't have a clue.

Barehunter, from the looks of that cap the person you talked to at that company may have been an elf.

Didn't say, but if those are wood chimneys that small screen will plug up with creosote REAL QUICK!

I thought about that BigBob and plan to use a larger mesh. Just had that on the truck and used it as a trial piece. Thanks.

Isn't that chimnwy missint its crown?

What BB said. CHECK FIRE CODES, people! You run the risk of killing the inhabitants! If chimney exhausts a furnace or any gas appliance, there are laws about doing this!

Both are and both are out of code...the one closest to the pic looks like they used caulk on the makeshift crown, that is A) not helping the water penitration issues B) unless its verified to meet heat requirements can be a hazard if the flu liner and/or cap is not installed properly can head the crowning and melt the caulk making one heck of a hazard. also there is no overhang of the crown nor is there a drip edge so all of the brick under the crown is getting top/down water penetration, compromising the integrity of the brick and and now i would be thinking structural instability.

I would get someone to check both, inform the homeowner that this is a serious issue and to have it resolved ricky tick.

That is a terrible looking chimney. Landingcrew is right, the person that built them had no idea what he was doing. I would walk and don't look back...and that is no BS.