Hey there! We're actually the manufacturer of the damper used in this particular video. Good questions. As far as DIY goes, we can't officially recommend that you go up on your roof. But we will say that the installation instructions for this cap and damper are on our website. Just look for our "Universal Chimney Cap" product page under the Draft King brand on our website. That should give you a good idea of how the cap and damper are installed. As for "something better to use" if you're just looking to weather- and creature-proof an unused chimney, you have a couple of options. Avoid an aluminum chimney cap as squirrels, raccoons, and other creatures can just chew right through that. Instead, you'll want a steel cap. From there, you have two options. Galvanized steel is the economical option. Galvanized steel caps (depending on the size of your chimney flue) tend to cost between $70 and $100. If you want the highest level of protection (particularly against critters), you'll want a stainless steel cap, especially if you live within 25 miles of a body of saltwater. Saltwater and briny sea air will degrade a galvanized steel cap pretty quickly. So if you live near a large body of saltwater, go stainless steel. Otherwise, a galvanized option will do you just fine. Those won't be able to keep out large insects, so you'll be taking a gamble there. If that's your biggest concern, go with the Universal Cap + the damper kit. But if you don't think stink bugs, wasps, bees, etc. will be a problem, just go with a basic galvanized steel cap. They'll work very well for you. Feel free to browse the chimney caps section of our website to see some additional caps, and if you have any more questions, you can call us! Our customer service team is US-based and works right here in our offices in St. Louis, Missouri. They can help you find the right cap, the right size, and even help you find where to order or buy one.
Can this be done DIY? Is there something better if we just want to weather / creature proof an unused chimney?
Hey there! We're actually the manufacturer of the damper used in this particular video. Good questions.
As far as DIY goes, we can't officially recommend that you go up on your roof. But we will say that the installation instructions for this cap and damper are on our website. Just look for our "Universal Chimney Cap" product page under the Draft King brand on our website. That should give you a good idea of how the cap and damper are installed.
As for "something better to use" if you're just looking to weather- and creature-proof an unused chimney, you have a couple of options. Avoid an aluminum chimney cap as squirrels, raccoons, and other creatures can just chew right through that. Instead, you'll want a steel cap.
From there, you have two options. Galvanized steel is the economical option. Galvanized steel caps (depending on the size of your chimney flue) tend to cost between $70 and $100.
If you want the highest level of protection (particularly against critters), you'll want a stainless steel cap, especially if you live within 25 miles of a body of saltwater. Saltwater and briny sea air will degrade a galvanized steel cap pretty quickly. So if you live near a large body of saltwater, go stainless steel.
Otherwise, a galvanized option will do you just fine. Those won't be able to keep out large insects, so you'll be taking a gamble there. If that's your biggest concern, go with the Universal Cap + the damper kit.
But if you don't think stink bugs, wasps, bees, etc. will be a problem, just go with a basic galvanized steel cap. They'll work very well for you.
Feel free to browse the chimney caps section of our website to see some additional caps, and if you have any more questions, you can call us! Our customer service team is US-based and works right here in our offices in St. Louis, Missouri. They can help you find the right cap, the right size, and even help you find where to order or buy one.
Who is the manufacturer of the damper in the video?
Chimney Products Inc. is who I order them from.