Chimney Caps Save You Money and Prevent Chimney Fires

Chimney caps save you money in the long run because of the less maintenance and repair your chimney will require. They play an important role in preventing rain and snow from entering the chimney flue. They easily shed ice and rain from the chimney crown, extending the life of the crown and eliminating some of the causes that crack the flue tile. They are also designed to protect the mortar crown area at the top of the chimney from harsh weather conditions.

Chimney caps also prevent animals and birds from entering the chimney. If you don’t put a cap on your chimney, you’re almost inviting birds and animals to “nest” inside your flue. And as you probably know, nests that block your chimney flue could result in a chimney fire. From 2005-2007, each year in the US, there were 26,000 chimney fires caused by fireplace, chimney and chimney connectors. Many of them could have been entirely preventable if a chimney cap would have been installed.

When choosing a chimney cap, make sure to pick a style that completely covers the chimney and flue. Preferably, you should purchase a chimney cap that fully covers all flues. Caps are available in stainless steel, copper and galvanized steel. In order to buy a cap that is the right size, your Houston Certified Chimney Professional, Professional Chimney Services, will have to go up on the roof and measure the top of the chimney.

The three measurements that are needed are the length, the width and the height of the flue. The three most popular sizes for masonry chimneys are 8" x 8", 8" x 12" and 12" x 12". Although there are many different stock sizes available, manufacturers are producing custom sizes for their newer models.

You’ll have to measure each flue to ensure that you purchase the correct spark arrestor screen. Spark arrestors prevent the airborne embers from your fire lighting to the roofing surface which could be made of materials such as shingle, thatch, or bitumen-felt. Spark arrestors are typically made of a double layer of metal mesh which catches the ember and at the same time allows the flue gas to escape from the chimney

Among the different cap types for masonry flues, there are standard caps with screens, available in either black or stainless steel. You can also choose from draft increasing caps, caps with integral damper mechanisms, electric draft increasing cap and custom caps, single flue chimney caps, band-around-brick chimney caps and top mount chimney caps.

Each type of cap has its own unique advantages. Standard caps include side screening, which do a great job at keeping birds and other animals from nesting in your chimney and help increase draft in windy weather. A draft increasing cap uses the wind to increase up drafts. A chimney cap with an integral damper mechanism saves energy by preventing cold drafts from coming through your fireplace. Electric draft increasing use electric fans with variable speeds, providing more control over how much draft you’d like to have. , The band-around-brick chimney cap attaches to the outside sides of your chimney and covers the entire chimney giving you more protection. A top mount chimney cap should be used if your flue sticks an inch or more above your chimney crown.

Finally, when choosing a chimney cap you should consider many factors including matching the cap with your exterior design, the amount of draft required, energy efficiency, chimney dimensions etc…. If you should ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact a representative at Professional Chimney Services for some friendly advice. www.houston-chimneycleaners.com

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