Chimney Cap Needed?

If your concern is that cold air comming down the fireplace chimney and you need a cap anyway you may want to think about a lock-top chimney top damper for around $550 installed. Or if you are just wanting to insulate your damper and help it do its job better look into a chimney balloon for $40. Either will help you limit the cold air infiltration and I have seen some people use both.

A stainles cap would be good for keeping the weather elements and vermin out, but wont help you with cold air infilttration.

Here's another reason:

"[A] squirrel fell down a chimney at a Two Rivers home and landed in a fire in a fireplace Monday night...The squirrel escaped the fire and ran around the house..."

IMHO:

First chapping off the flue against rain and animals just sounds like common sense.

Second, your symptoms sound like there is something else. If you even suspect exhaust gasses will be entering your house, instead of leaving, it doesn't sound safe to use your gas fireplace. Have a professional check out what could be causing the reverse drafting issues.

Good luck,

tom @