How Chimney Caps Save You Big Money

Chimney caps are fairly simple devices that sit on top of your chimney. Though simple, they perform several critical jobs that can keep you from having to spend big money on chimney repairs and restoration. Here’s what you need to know about chimney caps.

Chimney caps and flue covers

When we talk about “chimney caps,” we’re talking about full-width components that cover the entire top of the chimney, protecting the flue opening, the chimney crown and the exterior chimney masonry.

Flue covers are components that cover only the flue opening. For protecting just the flue, both caps and covers do a great job. But it’s advisable to use a proper chimney cap for the added protection it affords.

What chimney caps do

A custom full-width chimney cap will do five very important things for you.

Protect the chimney crown and masonry

Concrete chimney crowns can become damaged over time by constant contact with rain and snow. If the crown is cracked, moisture will infiltrate and then freeze and expand, causing serious damage. The angled design of a good chimney cap protects the crown as well as the masonry by channeling water away from the chimney structure.

Keep animals and debris out

Birds, squirrels, raccoons and other small animals like to set up homes inside chimneys. Often this includes birthing their young. Nesting materials along with the animals unable to get out and dying in the flue creates a drafting obstruction, which can send smoke and deadly carbon monoxide back into your home.

Chimney caps solve the animal problem. They also solve the problem with falling leaves, twigs and other tree debris that can similarly obstruct the flue passage. Worse than a drafting problem, all this debris can serve as fuel for a chimney fire.

Block the entry of water

Water can cause all kinds of trouble when it’s allowed to get into a chimney flue. It can damage the chimney liner, cause major rusting to the fireplace damper and start the growth of potentially harmful mold. A good chimney cap is the perfect water shield.

Contain sparks and embers

Chimney caps prevent dangerous sparks and embers from exiting the top of your chimney and landing on the roof or in the yard.

Prevent downdrafts

The solid top of a chimney cap is highly effective in preventing wind from blowing down into your flue and pushing smoke, sparks and ash into your home.

All this protection and good looks, too

Chimney caps are powerful protective devices, and they also look fantastic. Looking for a aesthetic component for your home? A custom full-width chimney cap adds elegance and a certain visual appeal to your home’s exterior.

Don’t have a chimney cap?

If you’re running your chimney without a cap, now is a good time to look into having one installed. Fire N’ Stone of Tilton, NH, serves the entire Lakes Region of New

Hampshire with professional chimney cap installation and all other chimney services including cleaning, inspection and repair.

Call (603) 293-4040 today and ask about a highly protective custom chimney cap for your chimney.