How do you guys block your chimneys for summer?

It's 80 degrees today and I'm ready to put the stove into hibernation for the summer. What do you guys do to plug/block/seal the chimney during the summer? I'm partly concerned about air sealing the chimney to reduce my air conditioning cost and also to prevent the hot, wet outside air from getting into the chimney and condensing inside the stove pipe (which will be cold due to the interior air conditioning. I've got 17' of stove pipe inside the house and only 5' of Class-A through the roof and above). I'm just as concerned about animals or insects trying to make a home inside the chimney or cap.

What do you guys do about this?

 

From what I have read, blocking the chimney makes moisture issues worse...I don't do a thing to mine, but I have screens on my caps. If I didn't, then I would put screens on for the summer to keep the critters out.

 

I close the dampers

 

Been thinking about putting some screen on mine, as we had 2 blackbirds get in just a couple weeks ago. The first one got in when there was still a fire going and didn't make it. The 2nd one got in when the stove was only still a bit warm, and I was able to get it out.
I think they perch up on the rim of the pipe under the cap, get overcome by the exhaust and fall down the pipe.
I'll be checking the baffles for damage soon.

 

Lol

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In the past I haven't done anything, this year I will screen the rain cap. I'm sick and tired of digging the decomposing bodies of 4-5 birds out of my liner in the fall before I can start burning again

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I've never blocked mine. I do get a few bluebirds out of the stove every spring.

 

I set a can of "Damp Rid" in the stove and then clean out the stink bugs before I fire the stove up in the fall.

 

Lost BTUs...

 

I have an insert and have never had a problem with air conditioning running too much. I figure cold sinks, and heat rises, and my flue pipe is at an angle. If the damper is closed, the insert helps block any air.
As far a stinkbugs are concerned, they do get in there, along with the wasps. But the wasps are gone by fall, and the stinkers are toast.
I have a cap and a screen up top.

 

I have posted this before, but in essence, all I do (as I have a through the wall chimney) is take the bottom cover off the chimney and stick a plastic Folgers coffee can lid over the 6 inch pipe leading into the house. That way anything falling into the chimney sails on through the bottom and, other than a little soot (and a cleaning of the chimney) they are none the worse for wear.

I could have the cap replaced with a "bird discourager" type, but since my chimney cap is 500 ft in the air and I get queasy 2 foot off the ground, this is cheaper.

 

Wow, bet that drafts well!

 

Probably has to worry about the big large silver birds with a chimney that height!!

 

Ok i have to ask. Are these burned birds in the stove or you flushed them out as you cleaned the stove and chimney?

 

Nothing special, I have rain caps and screens - close the damper and doors and I'am done.

 

Screen caps on top, foam plugs on the bottom in the house. It stops the smell in the summer months.

 

Clean your chimney, should be no smell....But I am not sure but I have not had a problem so far...