You Need a Chimney Cap Even if You Don’t Use the Fireplace

If the top of your chimney flue does not have a chimney cap, it is essential to have one installed even if you do not use your fireplace. Without a chimney cap, there is nothing to stop rain, snow, sleet, and hail from going directly into your home. Keep in mind that moisture is the number one cause of chimney problems and the need for chimney repairs and masonry rebuilds. Chimney caps provide solutions to other problems, as well. Each benefit is a good argument in itself that every chimney flue needs to be covered with a chimney cap.

What is a Chimney Cap?

A chimney cap is a metal protective covering that should be professionally installed over the chimney flue or, for greater protection and aesthetic value, it can be installed over the entire chimney top. Although there are not as many styles in chimney caps as there are for umbrellas, both do a good job of providing protection against rain.

The least expensive chimney cap materials are galvanized steel and aluminum, both of which typically rust out within a few short years, depending on the level of humidity where you live. Stainless steel and copper chimney flues are far more durable and are typically more pleasing to the eyes.

Outside-mount custom chimney caps cover the chimney crown as well as the top of the chimney flue. This is a cost-effective benefit because chimney crowns are very vulnerable to the elements and tend to crack, which allows moisture into the chimney system. If you have an outside-mount custom chimney cap, it will protect the chimney crown and extend its life while keeping rain, etc. from going directly into the flue.

Block Downdrafts

During drafty winter weather, downdrafts carry blasts of cold air into your home. If there is a fire in your fireplace when a downdraft occurs, the toxic combustion fumes will go into your home and potentially affect you and your family member’s health. Chimney caps provide a barrier that can help to prevent downdrafts.

Spark Guard

The mesh on a chimney cap also serves to prevent sparks from escaping the chimney. Glowing embers inevitably float up chimneys, and there is a chance that a rooftop or other materials could catch fire from these embers. A spark guard on your chimney cap does a good job of preventing hot embers from escaping the chimney and creating a threat.

Keep Out Animals and Debris

Animals are very attracted to chimneys, whether to find warmth in winter or a cool place in summer. Squirrels, snakes, raccoons, birds, and other creatures are known to climb into chimneys. When animals cannot get back out, they oftentimes die. If an animal carcass is not quickly removed, a horrendous and pervasive odor will invade your home.

Debris such as leaves, branches, and other objects from the out-of-doors also go into chimneys that do not have caps.

If you have a chimney cap with mesh, you can keep the animals and debris out of the chimney, which will allow you to avoid a range of difficulties and problems.

Contact Dubuque Fireplace & Patio Today

If you need chimney cap installation, contact the trained, experienced chimney sweeps at Dubuque Fireplace & Patio. We can help you enjoy all the benefits of the chimney cap best suited for you and your home by providing reliable installation services. Give us a call today for any and all of your chimney needs, including chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, chimney repair, masonry rebuilds, heating appliance installation, and more.

Contact our sister store if you are in the Highland WI area by calling (608) 929-4887. In and around Dubuque IA, contact Dubuque Fireplace & Patio. Give us a call at (563) 582-5156 today if you are ready for chimney cap installation, which is needed even if you don’t use your fireplace.