Why Do I Need A Chimney Cap?

Day after day, season after season, your chimney is out there in the elements. What is there to keep the elements from coming down your chimney and into your home? Well, if you don’t have a chimney cap, the answer is not much.

Chimney caps are steel, mesh, or copper components that are designed to fit on your chimney top. They act as blockades that keep rain, wind, animals, and debris out of the chimney system while keeping sparks and ashes from the fireplace from starting fires outdoors. Chimney caps also aid in draft prevention by protecting the chimney from strong gusts of wind. Without a chimney cap, your chimney is susceptible to all sorts of damage and decay.

What Are The Hazards Of Not Having A Chimney Cap?

Animal Inhabitation: To animals, birds, or insects, your chimney is a perfect place to settle down. It is a sturdy structure that provides safety and protection from the elements. That’s why chimneys that are unprotected by chimney caps are often home to squirrels, birds, and all sorts of insects. Not only can nesting animals cause quite a disturbance in your home audibly, they can also produce some unusual odors. But animals aren’t just an inconvenience when they dwell in your chimney system, they are a hazard. Nesting materials and feces are highly flammable and can block airflow within the flue. This leads to inefficiency, overheating, and even house fires. To make sure that you are protected from unwanted house guests, have a chimney cap installed on your chimney today!

Water Damage: Water is the number one cause of chimney decay and deterioration and is a threat that should be avoided at all costs. Although there are a number of ways for water to get into your chimney, the best way to avoid it is by installing a chimney cap. Chimney caps act as a barrier against water invasion and encourage rainwater to drain down off of the roof instead of down into the chimney. By installing a chimney cap, you can save yourself thousands of dollars in repairs and prolong the life of your entire chimney system.

Wind Gusts/Draftiness: Because chimney caps sit directly on the chimney top, they act as a barrier against direct gusts of wind. This aids in heat retention and also prevents winds from forcing smoke back down into your home.

Flue Blockages: Flue blockages aren’t always a result of animal inhabitation. Sometimes, chimneys without chimney caps get leaves, sticks, and other debris lodged in them. This debris can cause fires, air flow blockage, overheating, and general inefficiency in your system. The best way to protect yourself from flue blockages is to install a chimney cap.

How Do I Know Which Cap Is Right For Me?

No matter what your environment or décor preferences, a Chief Chimney Services, Inc. professional can help you find the right chimney cap for your home. Whether you are looking to have a customized cap, a wind-resistant cap, or any other type of chimney cap installed, we can help you sort through the options. Give us a call and start protecting your chimney from destructive elements, today, click here to schedule an appointment online.

Consider installing an energy top damper for more efficient and safer operation of your chimney. At Chief Chimney Services, we can help with this chimney installation service.