i would have it mounted in the cement about a foot above the flue liner.
2006-07-19 14:40:39 · 6 answers · asked by maddyss 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Good question. I am a brickmason and have never considered that. lol. I believe that the cap would be the least of your worries. I have rebuilt a few chimneys that were struck by lightning. One, in particular, was on a two story house, in the center. The top fell through the roof, through the ceiling, and through the hard wood floor. The top four feet of the chimney was found in the crawl space with metal cap intact!!! lol. So, I wouldn't worry about it. Peace
2006-07-19 14:49:20 · answer #1 · answered by brickadune 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is, if it were struck by lightning, what would happen? If the top of the chimney is much higher than surrounding structures or trees, it will be a target. But the lightning is less interested in the plate than in finding a way to ground, and most lightning damage is caused by the heat generated in its explorations. You can use a heavy piece of wire between the cap and a ground rod; mount the wire a few inches from the surface of the chimney (as with television lead-in insulators) and you will be reasonably safe. If lightning should strike, the wire may vaporize, but it will have done its job in protecting the rest of the structure.
You don't need anything as thick as a 1/4" plate to do for a chimney cap. I used a galvanized steel oil drip pan from a local auto parts store. Mine is not grounded, but my house is surrounded by tall trees.
2006-07-19 21:10:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one made from stainless steel only it is 30"x30" and it is screwed to brackets mounted in cement. I put this up about a year ago and nothing has hit it yet. Many chimney caps are metal. Don't spend too much time stressing over this. Life is too short.
2006-07-19 14:51:58 · answer #3 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um .... Dude. a guy walking down the street in tennis shoes with buildings 4 to 5 times taller then him is not safe from lightning. what makes you think a chunk of steel stuck to concrete 30 feet off the ground would be safe. Yes it might get hit it might not but use common sense.
2006-07-19 14:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.. if it gets struck by lightning.. steel gets damaged... it has too much resistance... sparks will fly... but... you can put copper flashing over it.. and have a ground wire to a good ground with it...
steel contains carbon.. which when hit by lightning gets hot and produces sparks... copper flashing does not spark and is a very good conductor.
2006-07-19 14:46:51 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would...
I would suggest a good heavy copper ground wire also...
2006-07-19 19:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋