Unusual chimney covers

TM1303 · 3 Apr 2018

My house had lots of weird stuff going on. This is a picture of the secondary chimney stack, what's with this weird triangular chimney cover? I can't find any info or similar designs online, anyone know what this type of arrangement would be called? I'm going to be doing some work on the primary chim soon so will be giving #2 a once over but I just don't know what you call this style of covering.
[GALLERY=media, 101325]Chimney#2 by TM1303 posted 3 Apr 2018 at 11:07 PM[/GALLERY]

pilsbury · 4 Apr 2018

Far from being any sort of expert, could this not be an “after market” effort? Maybe just the chimney has been blocked off using ridge tiles to give a little ventilation. Can’t help but think there would have been regular pots on there at some point. But I have been known to be wrong..... on several occasions!

^woody^ · 4 Apr 2018

In the trade, these are known as "ridge tiles".

bobasd · 4 Apr 2018

good call, v-shaped ridge tiles.
the top 10 coursesof the stack might need rebuilding and the flaunching and new pots renewed. the flues will need sweeping .
maybe ther was a flue fire at some time or its just long term water penetration

TM1303 · 4 Apr 2018

Yep, "aftermarket" bodge job was my thinking. Sounds expensive :/ If I'm not planning on using the chimney, just want it solid and dry, what's the minimum fix you'd recommend. I've got a main chimney which needs the top rebuilt, recrowned, and potted, so need to cut costs

pilsbury · 4 Apr 2018

Minimum fix? Bugger all! Doesn’t look like it’s gonna fall down.

TM1303 · 4 Apr 2018

That's what I like to hear!

pilsbury · 4 Apr 2018

As long as you’re not going to be using it and it’s currently not leaking.

TM1303 · 4 Apr 2018

No plans to use it. In really bad weather we do get a bit of the black drip, but only a tiny bit and only in the heaviest of sideways rain.

If it's safe to leave until next summer I might do that and concentrate my budget on the main chimney stack, which is a mess.

^woody^ · 4 Apr 2018

If you are doing some work anyway up on the roof, then it may be worth while sorting that chimney out too. The flaunching and the two course of oversail need replacing/rebedding. It looks like the the most wethering is on the face we can't see in the photo, so check whether the main brickwork is OK or not. You may be able to relay the existing bricks on the top two course, if not replace with a solid blue or red engineering brick