Chimney Caps are a Crucial Part of Your Chimney

Chimney Caps are very important to your chimney's overall health

Chimney Caps are very important to your chimney’s overall health

Consisting of several different components to make it function safely and correctly, one of the most important parts of your fireplace and chimney system is a properly fitted chimney cap which is needed to protect your chimney from water penetration, animal intrusion, and other things. While chimney caps are not required, we at Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists strongly recommend your chimney be capped for several crucial reasons. As the cost and installation of a chimney cap is relatively inexpensive and will protect you against more expensive repair work, there is really no excuse not to have a chimney cap on top of your chimney. We would like to tell you why a chimney cap is such a vitally essential part of your fireplace and chimney system.

A chimney cap protects the interior of your chimney from the elements

According to EBSCO Research, a chimney cap keeps rain water and melted snow from entering your chimney. If you receive a two-inch downpour of rain and have no chimney cap, you will get those two inches of rain water into your chimney. This moisture will penetrate the bricks and mortar of your chimney and cause breaking and spalling of the masonry work. A chimney cap also protects you from wind issues. Persistent drafts can cause you to lose money on heating bills. While a basic chimney cap will protect you from rain and melted snow, you can find special wind-resistant caps if you have problems with downdrafts in your chimney.

A chimney cap keeps animals from entering your chimney

Even if you live in a climate with no snow and little rain, you still need a chimney cap to keep birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife out of your chimney. Many of these animals mistake chimneys for hollow trees and choose a chimney as a safe place to nest and hibernate. Both the animals and their nesting materials can be fire hazards. The nests can cause chimney blockages and prevent toxic gases like carbon monoxide from exiting out through the chimney. This causes a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning since the gas is forced back into your home. Even more disturbing, animals can become trapped and possibly die within your chimney. This will cause a horrific odor and a possible bug infestation. To prevent these problems that come along with animal invasions, contact Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists to install a chimney cap with metal mesh screening on the sides to keep the animals from making a home in your chimney.

A chimney cap prevents sparks from flying out of the chimney and igniting a fire

We have talked about how a chimney cap is needed to keep things out of your chimney, but a cap is also important to keep hot sparks and embers inside your chimney. Occasionally, sparks and embers can fly out of your chimney and land on your roof or your neighbor’s roof, which can possibly cause a house fire. These sparks and embers may also land in your yard on a pile of leaves or a bush and ignite a brush fire, which can quickly and easily become out of control. To prevent this, have a chimney cap with spark arrestors, or wire meshing, to keep the hot sparks and embers safely within your chimney.

Have more questions about chimney caps? Contact Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists to talk to our expert staff about custom installing a chimney cap on top of your chimney.

By David Kline | Tagged with: Tags: , , |