Chimney cowls fitted

Chimney cowls fitted

Cowls are fitted to chimney pots to help with atmospheric conditions and the prevention of damage from rain and wildlife living inside the chimney.  Down-draft issues, rainwater entering an appliance and birds nesting are all issues that can be stopped by using the correct cowl.

Birds can often come back to the same chimney to nest every year.  This is not good if you want to start re-using your chimney and a cowl should be fitted to stop this from happening.

We can supply and fit chimney cowls as part of an installation of a stove or fireplace.  When we are on the roof relining chimneys, we often do not charge for fitting them, just for the cowl or part itself.  If water is allowed to continue to go through into the open chimney pots next to the chimney flue that is being lined with a flue liner, the moisture will continue to damage the inside of the chimney stack.  This will lead to the lining system being in danger of deterioration, far sooner than normal.

Often we see chimney pots that are covered in green moss or on the top part of the stack with a darker colour where water has saturated it.  If this is allowed, then the bricks themselves can turn soft and brittle and can start to fall away.  We always recommend capping all of the pots to keep water out and keep the condition of the chimney stack as damp free as possible.

There are many solutions for chimneys that use gas or solid fuel stoves that burn wood which have been fitted with or without a flexible liner.  Pot hanger cowls are used with every wood burning stove installation that is fitted with a flexible liner; this is shown in the second image on this page.

On your site survey, we would be able to discuss the best approach for your chimneys.  Alternatively, if you send us an image using our "book a survey page"  we can advise what would be best.  Or feel free to call us on 020 8942 8881.