Need a Custom Chimney Cap? Call Mid-Valley Chimney
A chimney cap may not look like much, but it is an important part of your chimney system. Seriously – that little metal thing is a powerhouse of protection. A chimney is practically an open hole that leads directly into your home, so without a chimney cap in place, rain, snow, leaves, and debris will have a clear path into your home heating appliance. It’s like leaving your front door wide open all year long and hoping for the best.
To sum up… Whether you have a gas fireplace or a traditional masonry structure, you need a cap to protect your chimney from threats like water and animals.
Chimney Cap Before
Chimney Cap After
What Is a Chimney Cap? Why Is the Chimney Cap Important?
A chimney cap is a metal covering that sits at the very top of a chimney flue, just above the crown. And while they offer quality protection to keep harmful materials out, chimney caps also have mesh siding that allows exhaust and smoke to exit your chimney venting system – that way, your living space can still remain safe and smoke-free.
Now, like we’ve said, chimney caps protect your chimney from outside elements that can lead to damage. The main element it guards against is excess moisture and water. Water is a primary cause of chimney deterioration, and a secure chimney cap helps prevent water from entering the flue and settling into the chimney’s structure, where it can wreak havoc on the liner and cause all sorts of other chaos.
Chimney caps also act as a shield against debris that can enter your chimney, which can lead to a fire. And since chimneys are a huge attraction for wildlife like birds and raccoons, a cap is necessary to keep out pesky critters in search of shelter.
Types of Chimney Caps
Chimneys don’t come in a standard shape or size, so chimney caps have to be just as versatile in appearance and performance. Depending on where you live, you may want a more specialized chimney cap to meet your home’s needs. Here are some options:
- Standard Single-Flue Chimney Caps: These are the most basic type of chimney cap for systems with one flue. They are usually made of stainless steel or galvanized steel and consist of a mesh screen surrounded by a metal frame. The mesh screen prevents animals, debris, and sparks from entering the chimney, while the metal frame provides structural support.
- Multi-Flue Chimney Caps: Designed to cover chimneys with multiple flues, these caps are larger in size and can cover two or more flues at once. Multi-flue chimney caps are available in a variety of setups to fit different chimney systems.
- Top-Mounted Chimney Caps: Instead of attaching to the chimney crown, these caps are installed on top of the chimney. They cover the entire chimney top and are often used when the chimney crown is damaged or missing. These are usually the best value for homeowners and offer the maximum level of protection.
- Wind-Resistant Chimney Caps: If you live in an area prone to high winds, a wind-resistant cap might be best for your home. These caps have an aerodynamic design that allows them to hold up against strong winds and prevent downdrafts.
- Spark Arrestor Chimney Caps: A spark arrestor prevents sparks and embers from escaping from your chimney and landing on a flammable surface. All chimney caps function in this way, but these specific caps are often used as an additional safety measure in areas with a high frequency of wildfires.
- Decorative Chimney Caps: Are you looking to add a wow factor to your roofline? Up your curb appeal with a decorative chimney cap. These caps function the same as standard caps but have design features to complement your current architecture and add to your home’s aesthetic.
What seems like the best fit for your needs? Not sure? We’d be happy to guide you through the selection process. Give us a call or reach out to us online now.
What Could Happen if I’m Missing My Cap?
What does it mean if your chimney cap is damaged or missing? Well, chimney caps do a lot for your system. They block out water, debris, and animals, and they stop downdrafts from becoming an issue too. As mentioned above, some even serve as spark arrestors. This means that there are quite a lot of issues and hazards you could end up experiencing if yours is missing.
- You’ll experience all types of water damage. Most notably, you’ll experience extensive water damage if no chimney cap is present. Snow and rain will easily be able to get inside your system, which will cause chimney liner deterioration, rotting and staining throughout your walls and woodwork, mold growth, rusted metal components, and more.
- Animals will be more likely to enter. The last thing any homeowner wants is smelly birds and wildlife camping out in their flue. Their feces invite pests, their nests clog things up, and the critters themselves can be quite noisy. And if you have something protected by law, like the chimney swift, removal isn’t even an option. If you ask us, it’s best to simply keep them out from the get-go.
- You’ll be more prone to airflow issues. Whether it’s birds bringing in nesting materials or twigs and leaves that the wind blew in, an uncapped chimney is much more likely to experience clogs that will obstruct your airflow. Poor airflow lowers efficiency and significantly increases the likelihood of smoke and hazardous gases entering your home.
- There will be an increased risk of fire hazards. Along with creating blockages and airflow issues, leaves, grass, and other outdoor debris can create huge fire hazards when bundled up inside of your chimney. Caps are also known as spark arrestors, meaning they’ll stop stray sparks before they land on any flammable roofing materials.
- Gas leaks and carbon monoxide exposure will be more likely. As mentioned above, missing caps increase the chances of airflow issues, which can then lead to dangerous fumes in your home. Carbon monoxide is especially harmful because it’s both highly poisonous and virtually impossible to smell or see.
- Your home won’t be as comfortable. Your chimney cap can play a solid role in keeping downdrafts from swooping through your flue and into your living room. If you like the temperature in your home to stay consistent and comfortable (as most of us do), then a well-fitted cap can help with this.
- Foul odors may enter your home. Many of the issues we’ve already mentioned (animals in your flue, downdrafts, water entry, etc.) can all trigger unpleasant smells, which are prone to eventually waft into your living space.
- You’ll lose money. Whether it’s downdrafts forcing your heater to run longer, bird nests creating harmful chimney fires, rain falling in and breaking things down, or something else, every issue we’ve listed here results in you paying for bills or repairs that could have been avoided with the simple (and affordable) installation of a chimney cap.
Why Does Mid-Valley Chimney Use Stainless Steel?
Chimney caps can be made from galvanized steel, copper, and aluminum. At Mid-Valley Chimney, we use stainless steel for all of our custom chimney caps. While it is slightly more expensive than other materials, stainless steel is the most durable and requires the least amount of maintenance. In the long run, a stainless steel chimney cap is the best bang for your buck because it lasts a long time with routine care, and many come with a lifetime warranty if installed by a professional chimney technician.
Why Should I Hire a Professional?
You’ve watched all of the Youtube tutorials and read dozens of sites carefully detailing how to install a chimney cap by yourself. You’ve got this, right?
Water damage is the main culprit of chimney damage and a chimney cap is one of the many ways to safeguard your chimney. A chimney that is exposed to water will eventually start to experience all sorts of problems. Mortar joints on the inside of the chimney may start to crumble, metal parts can deteriorate or rust, and brick can begin to spall. These repairs are expensive and stressful, and can even require a full chimney rebuild. The good news is that with annual chimney inspections, regular maintenance, and a properly installed quality chimney cap this can all be prevented.
Also, did you know that roof rats can squeeze through openings only half of an inch wide? The smallest gap in your chimney cap can be a welcome sign for a nasty rodent infestation.
So, final assessment – save yourself the hassle of spending more money (and creating more stress) in the future by calling in a trusted, local company like Mid-Valley Chimney from the very start. We will install a cap that is custom-fit for your chimney, and we’ll get the job done right the first time.
Hire Mid-Valley To Create Your Custom Chimney Cap
Is your chimney cap damaged or missing altogether? Do you just want to update your existing chimney? Concerned that your current model isn’t performing like it should?
Call Mid-Valley Chimney. We will design and build a custom-fitted chimney cap that is perfect for your home and will protect your chimney from damage. A member of our customer care team is standing by, ready to answer all of your questions and help you get scheduled for an appointment.
Reach out to us now by phone at 513-727-0994 or schedule an appointment online through our website.
You can improve the look and feel of your living space with a fireplace facelift from our skilled chimney services crew.