People think that if they only use a chimney for home décor, then installing a chimney cap is not important. Well, that's not true. Leaving your chimney cap free will welcome unavoidable pests, moisture, raindrops, and debris.
What is a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is an ornamental metal or clay cover that fits over the top of the chimney crown. It protects your chimney from moisture and provides several benefits. A chimney contains a pipe, or a duct called "flue." It blows out smoke and chemicals outside the house.
Putting a crown on your chimney is a must. When you use your fireplace, the smoke rises from the chimney and out the top or crown. In most cases, chimney tops are made of steel or copper. Installing a chimney cap may be useful in a variety of ways. Let's have a look at the benefits of capping your chimney.
Benefits of a Chimney Cap
Chimney caps serve various functions for your fireplace and are quite inexpensive. At first look, the word chimney implies the complete building from top to bottom. First, the chimney hole should be measured to fix the correct size cap. Next, the cap should be tightened, and caulk should be applied around the base to prevent water from entering the chimney.
Keep Out Pests and Animals
Animals are becoming more active as the weather warms up, which means they are looking for safe, protected areas where they may build nests in the dark and in the warmth. A chimney is a common choice for bats, squirrels, birds, and other pests to live in during winter.
Installing a chimney cover that effectively seals the top of the chimney while still allowing ventilation is the most effective technique to keep animals out of your chimney. Typically, this extends several inches beyond the end of the chimney, with a fine mesh or screen covering the space between it and the chimney. This enables air to circulate but prevents even little bugs from making a home in your chimney.
Keeps Out Moisture
Unwanted moisture may cause damage, such as cracked masonry, damaged mortar, and even mold growth. This might be hazardous to your health and result in costly repairs. A cap prevents water and other elements from entering the chimney by directing them away from the aperture and onto the roof.
It is not typical for rainwater to enter your fireplace via the chimney, but it does happen. It indicates that your chimney could be in better condition. Unfortunately, the chimney is far more complicated than the majority of people realize. Consequently, pinpointing the leak's precise location might take much work. The worst enemy of a brick chimney is water. When a chimney, especially one made of masonry, is continually exposed to the weather, cracks emerge in the brick and concrete, and rainfall causes the chimney to expand and compress.
If rainfall enters the chimney, the components that make it up may rapidly deteriorate. Daily, chimneys are exposed to various weather conditions like rain, wind, and snow. Over time, these factors might result in structural breaches, exposing the chimney to water and moisture damage.
The tilt of the chimney cap allows rain to flow away from the chimney, which is a bargain compared to the expense of repairing a chimney that has been damaged by water.
Keeps Out Cold Air
The purpose of a fireplace is to keep the house warm and pleasant. However, it may be counterproductive. When cold air enters your house through the chimney, it decreases the temperature, increases your heating costs, and adds to the variables that make your home uncomfortable.
Your fireplace's first line of defense against the winter cold is the damper. Without a damper, your fireplace is an open window to the outside. This permits the warm air from your house to move up and out of the chimney while allowing cold breezes to travel down the chimney. Ensure that your chimney damper is functional to prevent cold air from entering your house. It would be best to shut the damper when your fireplace is not in use to keep out the cold.
A chimney cap prevents cold air from entering your chimney. A chimney cap creates a physical barrier between your chimney and the chilly air outside. It functions to deflect chilly winds that might otherwise enter your house. Installing chimney doors is a new way to insulate your house against cold.
Factory-installed fireplace doors are mostly decorative, but a new set of sturdy fireplace doors constructed from heavier materials will keep your house warm and prevent winds from entering.
Restrict Sparks
Have you ever seen fireplace flames and embers drifting into the night? A similar process occurs in the chimney when you ignite a fire in your fireplace. And nothing is preventing an ember from escaping your chimney and falling on your roof. So even a single spark might ignite your roof.
Due to these sparks, there is a risk of serious fire mishaps. A chimney cap prevents mishaps by containing these sparks and embers within the chimney top.
Types of Chimney Caps
When selecting a chimney cap, you should ensure that it is constructed of the appropriate material. Copper, stainless steel, and galvanized metal are the most common options. The kind you choose depends on your fireplace's characteristics and budget, but stainless steel is the most durable option.
If you're on a tight budget, a galvanized chimney cap is for you. However, these caps are incompatible with gas logs and may corrode and cause damage to your chimney and siding over time. Copper and stainless-steel caps are expensive but look attractive and require less maintenance.
Wind-, storm-, hurricane-, or wind-resistant chimney caps are often used in residential construction. The weather shield chimney cap is often constructed of aluminum, galvanized metals, and stainless steel and is used in areas with strong winds and cold temperatures.
Top-mount caps are ideal for chimneys with flues that extend above the crown. They are compatible with both prefabricated and masonry chimneys.
Caps are vital in covering your chimney and protecting it from water, animals, trash, and other outside factors. When such unwanted materials enter your chimney with a missing cap, they cause problems in the chimney system or your entire house.
Water damage and leaks are common results of a chimney that has not been capped and is constantly exposed to the outside elements. A constant "drip" sound, stains on the wall or ceiling, and a musty odor are all indicators of water in the chimney. Mold and mildew, which develop from water damage, may wreak havoc on your house and chimney and cost you thousands of dollars.
Natural debris like sticks, branches, and leaves may easily find its way into your chimney if it isn't capped. Any animal may have carried them, blown in on the wind, or broken off an overhanging branch. Homeowners are in danger since these items may quickly catch fire or block the chimney. When the chimney is obstructed, smoke cannot escape the house, leading to dangerous downdrafts and an unpleasant fireplace experience.
Vertical is raising the bar when it comes to what a chimney and fireplace solutions company can be. Vertical has been in the chimney care business for over 35 years, and we have devoted our time and energy to bring safety to your home. We have spent all 35 years making sure we give our customers the best possible service. Starting your project is easy, contact us today!
