How am I gonna get this done?

r0GuE · Sep 30, 2004

I have a problem (more than one to be sure /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

My chimney caps need to be replaced. They are a flat concrete cap (4" thick, say 24" x 32" for the small one, and the big one is nearly twice as big). The small one is falling apart and I'm afraid it will soon collapse into the chimney. So, I ordered and got new limestone ones and I need to get them up there. I have a ranch, so height is not really the problem, but I have a ceramic tile roof that really prevents me from just getting a bunch of big guys up there and trotting around. I was thinking maybe a bucket truck? Any ideas? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

RobS · Sep 30, 2004

You can rent an ariel lift at some homecenters now. This is one I rented from Lowes/Nationsrent last year to put a finial on our roof /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · Sep 30, 2004

Just remember the bucket trucks are designed for a person and they are not a crane. A slab that size could weigh more than the person in the bucket. Tippy, tippy, tippy! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just something to consider. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MarkLeininger · Sep 30, 2004

I worked for a mason contractor when I was in college and put up a lot of these caps, but we always poured ours and put a pitch on the top surface and a drip edge around the base to drain the water. I would guess yours is failing from the freeze thaw cycle in the winter. The brickwork appears in goodshape, so there doesn't appear to be a problem with the acid in your vent gases.

You can hang ladders over the ridge using support brackets that you can buy, or make yourself. That would allow you to put a ladder on each side of the chimney, but I'm not sure that's enough given the weight you have to carry.

I'd consider regrouping and either frame and pour the cap in place, or have a sheet metal place make you a copper cap. The ornate chimney and that color brick would look good with copper. If you pour it yourself you only have to carry up buckets of material, which are not that heavy. I can tell you how we used to build forms if you decide to go that way.

bczoom · Sep 30, 2004

Rogue,

A couple thoughts that come to mind.
Instead of replacing the cap, can you cut a piece of 1/4" (or so) steel to size and slide under the existing caps?

To replace:
Attach a ladder (or something) from the chimney down to your gutters. Another from the ground to the ladder on the roof.
Using some kind of hoisting mechanism (come-along, snatch block with cable to tractor...) from the chimney to the ground, hoist the limestone ones up the ladder from the ground, tilt on to roof ladder and hoist up to the ridge. A couple people on top to lift it into place. (do the reverse first to get the old ones off).

beenthere · Sep 30, 2004

There are a variety of lifts (as mentioned and like the one pictured) that can be rented, but a limitation that I find is the distance out from the base that they will reach. Height seems to be no problem, but 'reach' seems to be limited due to balance and the carrying weight. Seems most I've rented are rated for about 500 pounds (two men).
Some of the other ideas presented might work for you.
I had an estimate of $3500 to replace (repour) the cap on my chimney which was failing, so I just spread a liquid-type epoxy over the top, which seems to be working well. My cap was not poured correctly from the beginning (35 years ago) but the 'fix' seems to be good for several more years.
The material used was Geocel Pro Flex Multi-purpose Brushable Sealer.

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