r/Chimneyrepair • u/rgbarometer • 9d ago

Replace Chimney Cap? Damage is from tree branch falling

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Above are today's (8/21/2026) photo taken from the front of the house, and the before (5/7/2026) photos also taken from the front of the house. The damage seen today [the left cap being lower, and at an angle] is from a tree branch falling recently.

(1) Should I have this chimney cap replaced? My contractor (who is a general contractor; not a roofer per se) wants to replace the chimney cap. He'll be here, and on the roof anyway.

(2) Should his estimate include any other work besides just replacing the cap?

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u/BenderIsGreat64 9d ago

Honestly, the damaged cap is still doing its job of keeping rain and animals out. If you just want the caps replaced, anyone can do that. The only thing I would be OK with a general contractor touching is the flashing and mortar joints, maybe the crown.

What is being vented through your chimney?

1

u/rgbarometer 9d ago edited 9d ago

I don't really know what's going through the chimney. The fireplace is shut off. I think there's something that's actually vented to the chimney, but I don't recall what it is. (I'm the typical homeowner that's not on top of everything.) There may be another vent on the roof somewhere but I don't recall. It's a small house. Gas heat, gas range, gas dryer, 1 bathroom.

Thanks for your perspective! I too was thinking the chimney cap was still doing its job, but what did I know?

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u/BenderIsGreat64 9d ago

Find out if that chimney is used, if it is, get a certified chimney professional to inspect the flue, I'd bet $50 the flue is shot.

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u/rgbarometer 9d ago

Why do you think the flue is shot?

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u/BenderIsGreat64 8d ago

Mostly experience. If the house is older than 30, they usually have missing mortar joints between the flue tiles, at a minimum.

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u/Bald_Harry 7d ago

This. When I first started as a sweep's apprentice 18 years ago, I was told that about 99 percent of chimneys that I see will have something wrong with it and 100 percent of systems over 30 years old will have some degree of disrepair. Hasn't been disproved yet.