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Keep Pests and Debris Out with a Chimney Cap

Some homeowners, particularly the older generation of homeowners, have never felt the need for a chimney cap. For the most part this is also the generation that cleaned the chimney themselves, and probably never saw damage because they didn’t know what to look for.

Really there is no way to prevent water damage when the chimney cap is missing. During a full year Long Island receives around 49 inches of rain on average. That is a lot of water in the chimney. More than that, with rain and other weather comes debris and animals seeking refuge. Keep pests and debris out with a chimney cap. It’s a simple and inexpensive preventative step you can take to avoid extreme costs later.

Why is it so Important?

The chimney cap is a simple and effective preventative measure that homeowners can have easily installed and it works exceptionally. The cap fits over the chimney crown and covers the flue opening, while allowing ventilation for the vapors and other byproducts from the fire. Chimney caps not only keep weather and critters outside, but also prevents sparks from leaving the chimney and igniting nearby debris. When the cap is missing, it is recommended to have it replaced immediately.

Risks of Pests and Debris in the Chimney

During stormy or freezing days, your chimney is warm and inviting to certain animals. Pests like squirrels, chipmunks, and even raccoons and opossums can make a home in your chimney. Once inside they can become trapped and die, as well as obstruct the chimney flue with nesting materials. A dead animal in the chimney will most definitely cause blockage, but it will also stink! Also, the nesting materials, like other types of debris can cause chimney issues and raise risks to the home as well.

If your chimney flue is left open with no cap it is likely that debris will fall into it. Twigs and leaves are easily ignited, and can cause serious fire danger if allowed into the chimney flue. Once inside the chimney, both outside debris and animals are hard to remove and should be done so by a certified chimney sweep.

The Professional Advantage

It’s always best to hire a professional chimney expert when you need a chimney check-up. Chimney professionals know what to look for, understand certain risk factors, and can assess and repair quickly. At Chief Chimney Services we pride ourselves in offering the best services on Long Island for all of our neighbors with chimneys and fireplaces. When we send out a chief chimney sweep you can rest assured that you will get the a recommendation based on safety and efficiency. If your chimney is missing a chimney cap, our sweep can offer the best options and you can make a installation plan right then.

Don’t wait until burn season to have your chimney assessed. Call Chief Chimney Services or contact us online to schedule an appointment to assess your chimney cap.

Let the Chief Tell You Why Your Chimney Needs a Cap!

Whether you have a brick-and-mortar chimney, a new or aging insert, or a simple stove pipe, you may wonder about a chimney cap. A lot of home owners may have a policy of “out of sight, out of mind”, but although the chimney stack is outside, it can cause major issues inside without a proper cap.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) describes the chimney cap as “an important chimney safety and damage prevention component.”

Keep the Outside Out

Although chimney caps can be found at your local home improvement stores at an affordable price, some home owners don’t find them important. Although we at Chief Chimney Services are happy to service all chimneys, we recommend the use of a chimney cap for safety as well as prevention.

Wood-burning furnaces are designed to heat the inside of the home, the chimney designed to release gases and equalize pressure in the home, and the chimney cap designed to keep certain things outside the home.

Weather

Chief Chimney Services will clean, maintain, and inspect chimneys to make sure the path is clear for gases to escape, but rain, snow, and ice can cause flue obstructions if allowed into the chimney. We recommend using chimney caps to keep the path clear!

Since chimneys have to allow large amounts of pressure and gas to escape, there are sometimes multiple openings at the top, called flues. If moisture is allowed into the openings it can run directly into the chimney itself, causing minor problems like bothersome odors in the home, and more serious damage like rusted damper assemblies, deteriorated firebox assemblies, rot, clogged heating and clean-out systems, stained chimneys, decayed mortar, cracked or damaged flue lining, collapsed hearth support, and tilted or collapsed chimney structure.

Wildlife

If a chimney cap is damaged, improperly installed, or nonexistent you essentially have a hole in your roof that animals can access. Any animal that can climb onto your roof can also climb into your home. A chimney is a warm and safe place for animals to shelter their own families, so if they have the opportunity, expect them to take advantage!

If an animal finds a way into you chimney it can definitely cause obstruction, and could even suffocate, causing a foul odor in the home, and need removal.

Keeping the Inside Out

At Chief Chimney Services, we recommend chimney caps to prevent sparks from escaping the chimney. A hot fire has the power to push hot sparks up the chimney along with the smoke and gases. These hot sparks can damage the roof around the chimney, and can cause accidental environmental fires.

It’s our responsibility as home and business owners to be responsible for our homes and buildings. We strive to give our customers the best opportunity for success, and we are readily available to help you with your chimney.

When to Call a Professional

If you are ready to install a chimney cap, or have concerns there is a problem with your existing chimney cap, notice a smoke or draft problem in your fireplace, furnace, or chimney system call a Chief Chimney Services professional today, or click here to schedule an appointment online.