I have a client who had some squirrels fall down her chimney and wants a cap put on. This normally wouldn't be a big deal, but the top of her chimney is 100% flat so there isn't anything for a flange to fit over and screws to catch. The flues are filled with gas appliances so I don't have to worry about creosote, but I don't want it icing up from condensation either.

Any ideas what might work? We put some hardware cloth over it for now, but don't want that icing up over winter.

Matt

Copperfield has some caps that have a hinged flange on the bottom. They have holes in that flange that you can drill into the cement and use cement anchors and screws to attach the cap. Give Copperfield a call, they will give you some other ideas too.

Yep, we've put them on pretty easy, but the right drill and bit are truly helpful.

I stopped in to Lowes this morning to walk around and brainstorm. Do you think I could make a regular cap be secure enough if I attach angle with the flange out? Self tapping screws to attach the cap to the angle and tapcons down into the chimney maybe?

I guess you could even cut the bottom of a regular cage, bend it out, and drill some holes, but it sounds like a lot of trouble to me.

EBL:
I would concern myself about the angle rusting in the future and
creating a stain down the exterior walls of the chimney!

pick65

I have not seen a cap at Lowes or any of the big box stores that I would put on any house.

With no flue protruding at all, I've installed a cap with "inner flue grips". Legs go into the flue. The tension holds the cap in place. It was actually on my uncle's house and is still doing well two years later. No squirrels going in. (I do not believe it would hold up to a raccoon)

Not sure if you have room inside flue for this install with vents coming but some models might be worth a try.

"Flues are filled up with gas appliances"? Talk to a CC manufacturer before you go doing something that violates code. You can't just slap on any old homemade screen (despite what I see on houses way too often!).

Frontline has a great idea. Leg kits are inexpensive and will normally do the job. While I agree that raccoons can pry them out, most don't even try. ( Probably because they don't know it's a leg kit )

I think you could use grade 8 bolts to attach something and raccoons could get through it somehow.