How a Chimney Cap Protects Your Chimney and Makes It Run Better
Chimney caps come in several varieties, all designed to protect your chimney and support its efficient operation. A quality chimney cap is an investment that can pay big dividends. American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, would like to tell you about some of the benefits of a good chimney cap.
Types of chimney caps
“Chimney cap” usually refers to a device that covers the entire top of a masonry chimney. “Flue cover” is the name given to devices that protect just the flue opening. Both types are beneficial, but the full cap also protects the concrete chimney crown from rain damage.
Made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper or galvanized steel, chimney caps include a solid cover and mesh sides that let smoke and gases draft efficiently out of the flue.
Chimney cap benefits
A lot of chimney trouble happens every year because homeowners operate their chimneys without a protective cap. A severely damaged chimney cap can be almost as bad as not having one at all.
Here are five key benefits of chimney caps.
1. Shield the flue from rain
Rain inside a chimney flue can eventually deteriorate parts of the chimney liner. It can also lead to rust on the fireplace damper and damage parts of the firebox.
In addition, water in the flue can cause horrible smells when mixed with creosote and soot.
2. Keep out tree debris
With no chimney cap, leaves, twigs and other tree debris can easily enter the flue. This will narrow the drafting passage and could result in smoke and deadly carbon monoxide backing up into the home.
Tree debris can also serve as fuel for a chimney fire.
3. Block the entry of small animals
Squirrels, raccoons, birds, mice and other small animals often seek shelter in chimneys. Some of them build nests for their babies; others die in the chimney, unable to escape. This can create a significant drafting obstruction.
Deceased animals that remain in the chimney will release powerful odors that can move into the home and make life very unpleasant.
4. Contain sparks
A chimney cap’s mesh sides contain sparks and embers, keeping them in the chimney and off the roof.
Fiery particles can also fly out and land on people and objects in the yard. A good chimney cap can prevent this.
5. Protect the chimney crown
As noted earlier, a full-width chimney cap protects the chimney crown from water. Crowns are prone to cracking, and when water enters the cracks, it begins a cycle of deterioration that can destroy a crown and the bricks below it.
Water moving through a crown can also start a growth of mold in unseen areas of the chimney system.
Does your chimney need a cap?
If you’re running your chimney without a cap, American Chimney & Fireplace can install a top-quality chimney cap that will bring you all the benefits listed above. If you have a cap that’s damaged, we can either repair or replace it.
Give us a call today and speak with a Kentucky chimney expert who cares about your chimney and home. If you prefer, you can reach us through our simple contact form.
