Replacement Chimney pots - Prep and installation

[Kinclad]

Hi, Its been a few years since I last posted on here. Its great to see the forum is still vibrant.

I'm having a section of my roof re tiled before the end of the year so Ive been looking to replace the mish mash of pots that currently sit on my main stack. You can see from the pic whats there currently, with just 1 original pot remaining in the middle. Ive made the decision to replace all 3 now that I have finally found some replacements that look at least similar to the single original that currently remains. Ive been told that 3 of the 4 are in good condition for re-use.

Its been pretty tough as square pots do seem to be far more scarce than round and its even more of a problem when you need at least 3. So the other pic are the ones I have finally sourced.

So if anyone can give me advice on the following it would be very much appreciated.....

The replacement pots are advertised as Doulton & co, I want to paint them white like the rest of the house/stack and existing original pot. Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? and is there any prep I should do beforehand? I'm thinking about guarding against any future frost damage etc. The stack is only accessible with scaffold so I there would be no access again for some time.

What should I consider regarding bird nesting and rain water prevention? I would really rather avoid the caps that you see in the existing stack as it will spoil the look of the 3 new pots. Im not sure if there are less options available because the pots are square? btw 2 of the flues are in use, 1 with a wood burner and the other a open fire. The open fire I don't believe contains a liner but the wood burner does.

I'm presuming my roofer is reasonable experienced with regards to the actual installation of the new pots but any advice in advance would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Mark.

 

[88v8]

As you've obtained three good pots, I think it would be a shame to paint them. They'll only look tatty when the paint starts to peel. I wouldn't paint the stack either, if you can avoid it. Be cheaper in the long run to have it re-rendered or pebbled.

It's essential to cover the woodburner flue to keep the rain out, or the water will come straight into your stove. I suspect you'll have to make a cap, never seen a square one. Not too difficult, stainless sheet slightly domes, and four legs. Pretty easy in fact as you have a pots on the ground. You can paint it with stove black so it looks OK.

One of your existing pots is a downdraught preventer. I guess it was put there for a reason. If that's the one on the fireplace you use, you'd better use it for a week or so before you take the scaffold down.

Someone posted a few months ago about flaunching mix. Doesn't have to be lime. Hopefully your roofer will know how to do.

Ivor

 

[andrew gayton]

pots on multiflue stacks can tend to become mismatched over the years due to downdraught problems; differing heights of pot do tend to alleviate this problem. I would be tempted to try a temporary installation to ensure that your matching pots work without problem. I see no point in capping the woodburner flue. what little rain that gets in here will be of no consequence. agree completely with not painting them. however, check the inner corners for hairline cracks and any surface imperfections that could allow the ingress of water (which could then freeze and blow the clay) these can be filled with a careful application of filler. for flaunching, I would use a compo mix of say 1:2:9 using 1 part of sulphate resisting cement. pots - if smaller than width of flue - can be sat on some galv / painted steel strap before flaunching. ensure that the flaunching is high in the middle to allow water run off.

 

[88v8]

I see no point in capping the woodburner flue. what little rain that gets in here will be of no consequence.

The water that gets in there will run straight into the stove. It's not like an unlined flue, that will absorb the water. Think 5" drain pipe. Wet, rust.

Ivor

 

[andrew gayton]

.......... straight into the stove then burnt off. the amount of water that will get in is minimal. I would agree with capping if the stove isn't going to be used for months on end, especially if the liner isn't stainless. but, if it isn't stainless then its going to rust, capping or no capping.

 

[CliffordPope]

.......... straight into the stove then burnt off. the amount of water that will get in is minimal.

The area of the opening will be about the same size as your head. When you stand still in a vertical rain deluge, do you get wet? Does water cascade down your neck?

 

[andrew gayton]

a good attempt at analogy, but not one that is really directly comparable. if you were correct, my woodburner would be a water butt which it is not.

 

[88v8]

It also rains during the summer. At least it does here :?

It's not the liner that rusts. The water makes it all the way to the bottom. Our woodburner installer, and our sweep, say they have seen plenty of rusted out woodburners.

Ivor