A chimney cap is more than just a decorative accessory. This important chimney component protects the entire fireplace system. Without a chimney cap, fireplaces can suffer from moisture damage, animal entry, and more. Investing in a quality chimney cap can help keep the chimney and fireplace in good condition for years to come.
What is a chimney cap?
A chimney cap is a covering for the top of the chimney. It sits at the top of the chimney crown. The chimney cap is a fitted metal hood with mesh or wire sides. This allows the chimney to vent and draft properly while protecting the flue from moisture, debris, animals, and more. Chimney caps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and metals. This allows homeowners to choose one that is both functional and decorative. Custom chimney caps can also be designed to create a unique chimney component.
Reasons to invest in a chimney cap
A quality chimney cap is an important investment. The chimney cap protects the flue and fireplace against animals, the elements, debris, and more. It is important to have a chimney cap that fits, installed correctly, and made with quality materials. The following are three reasons to invest in a chimney cap.
- Chimney caps help prevent leaks. Moisture is one of the most damaging forces to the interior and exterior of the chimney. Chimney caps prevent water from entering the chimney by covering the top of the flue. This keeps water from rain, and snow from entering the chimney. While bricks and mortar are designed to withstand exposure to the elements, interior fireplace components are made to withstand heat. If a chimney leak occurs, even minor amounts of water can cause major damage. Cracked clay tiles in the liner, rusty dampers, or mold and mildew growth are all symptoms of a leaky – or uncapped – chimney.
- Chimney caps keep animals out. For animals including birds, raccoons, squirrels, and more, the chimney is a safe, cool, enclosed space to build a nest or hide from predators. Unfortunately, animals in the chimney can be extremely damaging to the fireplace system – and even hazardous to your health. Chimney caps help keep animals out; while the mesh or wire sides of the chimney cap allow proper drafting to occur. The tiny holes also prevent even the most intrepid birds or raccoons from entering the flue. Without a chimney cap, animals can freely enter the chimney. Animals trapped in the chimney can build nests, leave behind droppings, create blockages, and even expose your family to pests and parasites.
- Chimney caps reduce the risk of fire. Chimney caps are sometimes known as spark arrestors; this is because the mesh or wire sides can stop stray sparks and embers from traveling out of the flue and onto the roof. Keeping stray sparks off of the roof can help reduce the risk of accidental fire to the roof or other nearby structures when the fireplace is in use.
Invest in a new chimney cap today!
A quality, well-fitting chimney cap is an important chimney component that protects the fireplace from the bottom of the firebox to the top of the flue. For more information on the importance of investing in a quality chimney cap, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!