Why rain in the chimney matters
Water running down a flue can stain chimney breasts, soak soot into a smelly paste and, over time, contribute to damp. Irish weather means an open pot can take in a lot of rain over a winter.
Choosing a rain cowl
For an open fireplace or disused chimney, a top-cover guard such as the Allgrip Crow Guard is often a good fit. For stoves, a terminal designed for the liner is safer. Disused chimneys should still be ventilated to avoid trapping damp.
When a cowl isn't the fix
Damp on a chimney breast can also come from flashing, cracked flaunching or porous brickwork. If we see signs of those, we'll tell you rather than sell you a cowl that won't solve it.
