Why A Good Chimney Cap Is Important
Is a chimney cap really necessary? This might be the first question that comes to your mind when you hear that you should get a chimney cap. It isn’t hard to find a chimney without one. You might wonder why so many chimneys don’t have one if they are so important.
The reason why you don’t see a cap on every chimney is because many homeowners don’t realize the money and hassle they could save by investing in a chimney cap. All chimneys should have a cap. Chimney caps prevent two of the most common problems that homeowners with a fireplace or stove have to deal with: water damage and animal infestations.
A Chimney Cap Protects Your Home from Water Damage
Without a chimney cap, rain and snow can freely fall down your chimney. All of this moisture will eventually corrode or warp the damper. This can make it hard to open creating a potential carbon monoxide risk if you use your fireplace when it is stuck closed. Alternatively, it can also prevent it from sealing properly. The reason why many fireplaces are drafty is because the damper doesn’t seal well.
Every time the chimney is exposed to rain and snow, it can do more damage. It can weaken the flue lining—making your home more at risk of a house fire when you use your fireplace—and deteriorate mortar joints which weakens the structural integrity of your chimney. Serious deterioration can, eventually, cause the chimney to collapse. Nearby walls, ceilings, insulation and structural beams can also suffer water damage.
All of these serious and expensive problems can be prevented by installing a chimney cap.
A Chimney Cap Prevents Pest Problems
Talk to anyone who has a chimney without a cap on it and you’ll hear a story about a time when a bird, bat, squirrel or other critter came down their chimney. These incidents might make funny stories but they aren’t fun to live through. Aside from the stress of trying to capture a critter that’s loose in your house, animals can bring diseases and other unwelcome guests like lice.
Bats and raccoons are two of the only animals who can safely find their way out of a chimney. Many other animals like squirrels and birds usually die inside it which can be a serious health and safety risk. A dead animal in your chimney can attract insects like maggots. It could also cause a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning if you use your chimney without realizing it is lodged inside.
Animal droppings in the chimney can produce an unpleasant smell that may even get stronger when you use your fireplace.
A Chimney Cap Is a Safeguard Against Roof Damage
A bonus benefit of installing a chimney cap is that it protects your roof from catching fire. The metal mess that stops animals from getting into your chimney also prevents hot embers and sparks in the smoke from getting out. Without this safeguard, your rooftop could catch fire.
You won’t regret investing in a chimney cap!
The best chimney caps are made of stainless steel or copper. We recommend spending a little extra on a good-quality chimney cap with a lifetime warranty so that you never have to worry about replacing it if it gets damaged or rusts. If you’d like to get a quote for a chimney cap, give us a call!
