The chimney cap is the first defense for your chimney—against weather, animals, and debris. When it’s designed well and installed correctly, it offers protection for your flue for many years. However, many times, caps are made with cheap materials or installed incorrectly, and they become damaged or dislodged due to weather or animal tampering.
The cap is at the top of the chimney, and when there is a problem, many homeowners may not even notice. In fact, much of the chimney system is hidden from view, which is why it’s important to schedule annual maintenance and inspections with a certified chimney professional.
Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service Checks Caps
We check chimney caps during a routine inspection and chimney sweeping. If we’re diagnosing a chimney leak, we will check the cap, flashing, and crown first. If the cap is the problem, we also repair or replace it.
The Importance of a Chimney Cap
The chimney cap is often overlooked by many homeowners. Many older homes may not even have them! If you care about your chimney, fireplace, and home, you need to make sure your chimney has a cap. It has three major jobs, and depending on which kind you choose, it may have other benefits.
The cap keeps water out. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sleeting, your cap acts as a roof for your flue opening. The cap sheds water off and down onto the crown, where it sheds off and down onto the flashing. Without a cap, water can fall directly into the flue opening. Without the cap, the chimney can take on much water damage that is costly and dangerous.
The cap also works to keep animals out. Anything that can climb or fly on top of your roof can also climb into your chimney. Animals not only damage the cap on their way in, but they can also bring in fur, feathers, and nesting materials, which are flammable and can obstruct airflow. Most animals that get inside your chimney will either suffocate and require removal or they could escape on their own. If the animal in your fireplace escapes on its own, make sure you have the flue checked out for scratches or damage.
The cap also suppresses sparks. The metal mesh that keeps animals out also keeps sparks in. When there is a hot fire in the hearth, sparks can rise up the flue while ignited. Instead of rising out of the flue opening and causing fires on the roof and around the ground, the sparks are extinguished and drop right back into the fireplace with a cap in place.
Repairing and Replacing the Chimney Cap
At Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service, we specialize in repairing chimney caps and only use the best products and techniques. We can cap any flue, no matter the size or shape of the opening. Before making a decision about your chimney, check out our gallery to see the type of work our team completes every day. Think your chimney needs some attention? Call us at 919-747-1859 today.
