boiler vent cap (china hat)?

[Speedy Jim]

It's a good idea. Also keeps birds from nesting and blocking it.

JIm

[m Ransley]

Birds will go there to stay warm, die from Co and fall in and it could block the chimney. I had a racoon living in my fireplace chimney and have pulled out 3 live birds, once 2 live pigeons, and many dead ones. It doesn`t take much on some chimneys to block or reduce airflow allowing a Co buildup inside fron reduced draw. Old chimneys can be partialy blocked anyway from years of ofd deteriorating mortar. A cap to keep out water with screen is needed. Water entering speeds up deterioration.

[Ben Gold]

As I'm going over my roof and trying to keep it spiffy I notice that the vent from the boiler (or flue?) has no cap on it ­ nor do the neighbors' vents.

Should I put a china-hat cap on the flue? Since I've had a leak I'd like to cover everything I can, but I'm wondering if there is some good reason not to cap it?

-Ben

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Get a stainless steel one. The black ones will rust and stain the brick, your siding, etc.