Top Five Reasons to Install a Chimney Cap
Like many homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to your chimney, apart from the occasional cleaning to keep it in good condition and reduce the chance of a fire. However, installing a chimney cap is considered essential by many experts, and in this post, we’ll tell you why you need one.
What is a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is a metal cover that fits over the top of your chimney and the crown. Its purpose is threefold: to keep rain and snow from entering your chimney and causing water damage, to keep birds and other animals from nesting in your chimney, and to prevent hot embers from escaping your fireplace and landing on your roof.
Five Reasons to Install a Chimney Cap
If your chimney doesn’t have a cap, you may wonder if it’s worth the hassle and expense to add one, so let’s look at the top five reasons to do it.
It Keeps Rain Out
Let’s face it, your chimney’s flue is a hole that goes straight down into your home.
And if you ask any chimney expert, they’ll tell you that moisture is your chimney’s number one enemy. Water from rain or melting snow seeps into the masonry materials, causing tiny cracks. Over time, these cracks worsen and can lead to crumbling brick and structural degradation. Moreover, moisture that seeps down the flue can rust metal components like the damper. A chimney cap acts like an umbrella to keep harmful water away and reduce the likelihood of major repairs down the road.
It Keeps Critters Out
Sure, birds, raccoons, squirrels, and other animals are cute, but not when they set up homes in your chimney. The warm chimney is an inviting spot for animals in winter to nest, and they can wreak havoc once they get in. Nests obstruct your fireplace’s airflow, leading to toxic gases flowing back into the house, and they create a fire hazard. Furthermore, once animals get in the chimney, they typically can’t get out and die, causing foul odors.
It Encourages Good Airflow
Proper airflow and draft are essential for an efficient fire. As mentioned, obstructions in the flue prevent adequate airflow, which makes it challenging to keep your fire lit and allows toxins like carbon monoxide to build up in the home. Animals aren’t the only cause of chimney obstructions; twigs, leaves, and other debris often fall into the flue.
It Contains Sparks & Embers
Do you know what happens at the top of your chimney when burning a fire? Most people don’t, and that can be a problem. Sometimes, hot embers and sparks fly from the flue and land on the roof without you knowing. Depending on the weather, those sparks, and embers can cause a roof fire. Installing a chimney cap prevents these materials from shooting out of the flue and creating a potentially deadly situation.
It Prevents Smoke
If you’ve used a chimney for a few years, you’ve probably experienced smoke flowing back down the chimney into the house when heavy winds blow. High winds blowing down the chimney can cause your home to fill with smoke, but it can blow ashes and soot around, creating a mess. Installing a chimney cap keeps the wind at bay and makes your fireplace more pleasant to use.
A chimney cap is the best defense against many fireplace and chimney hazards, and it’s cost-effective compared to repairing the damage that can result from not having one.
Call Fire N’ Stone Today
At Fire N’ Stone, our motto is, “From Frame to Finish; We Do It All.” Whether you need chimney cap installation, sweeping, repair, inspection, or maintenance, we’re the go-to experts in Tilton, NH. We also offer a wide range of fireplaces and stoves, and we do custom stonework.
Call us today at 603-293-4040 or visit our showroom at 539 Laconia Rd, Tilton, NH.