Chimney Caps

Have you been told you should have a chimney cap on top of your chimney but don't know why your home really needs one? 

If you are like most homeowners you probable don't feel your home has an urgent need for a chimney cap. Most say, "I have lived in this house for years and never had a need for one," or "My neighbor's chimney doesn't have one, so why does my chimney need one?"

The easiest way to explain why a chimney needs a  cap , is to view a chimney that doesn’t have one.  (see pictures below)

Think of it this way, a chimney is basically a large hole in your roof that leads to the inside of your home (via the fireplace) or straight into your furnace. Now, image what could get into your home and the damage it could cause.

Chimney caps:
Stops Rain
Water entering the chimney can lead to expensive repairs and replacement costs. Fireplace dampers and metal fireboxes can rust liners and interior brickwork can deteriorate over time.  Water causes erosion, which can lead to holes in the lining of your chimney.

Stops Blockages
Animals like birds, squirrels and raccoons like to nest in warm places such as a chimney. A blocked chimney due to a nesting animal can lead to several dangerous situations such as cause carbon monoxide build up, or smoke to back-up into your home. Your chimney should be checked for nesting animals each year before the burning season begins if you do not have a chimney cap (and inspected a minimum of two times during the burning season to check for nesters and leaf and debris blockage.

Leaves, sticks, and other debris also build up and block chimneys that are not protected by a chimney cap.  The same serious and possibly dangerous situations caused by animals applies to debris build up in a chimney and the unprotected chimney should be inspected and checked as outlined above for animals.

Having a chimney cap installed on your home makes good sense and is sound preventive maintenance. If you are wondering what type of chimney cap to buy that will depend on the type and size of chimney your home has. There are many high-quality chimney caps on the market, but we only use chimney caps that are made of stainless steel or copper and come with a lifetime warranty. You won't be sorry you bought one or maybe two.

Damaged Caused by Uncovered Chimneys

30 Gallons of soot, sticks, and leaves removed from one furnace flue that was not protected by a chimney cap
Furnace flue liner decaying in chimney
Removed decayed furnace flue liner
Types of Chimney Caps
Copper
Stainless Steel Chase Cover
Stainless Steel Caps
Lyemance Damper