Is your chimney protected with a chimney cap? Many people skip installing a chimney cap considering it to be an extra accessory. This inexpensive addition to your chimney can save your property from water damage and costly repairs in the future.
A chimney cap is a metal cover that sits on the chimney crown and protects it from debris, rainwater, and snow. The cap also has a mesh around its edges to prevent animals from entering your chimney.
CT Chimney Repair strives to provide quality chimney accessories and chimney repair services in Connecticut to ensure the structural integrity of your chimney and property. Our company is well renowned among chimney cleaning contractors and provides chimney liners and chimney caps throughout Connecticut. This blog will educate readers on the various types of chimney caps alongside their purpose and benefits.
Purpose Of Chimney Caps
A chimney cap has many uses. It prevents water from rain and melted snow from entering your home through the chimney opening. If water finds its way through the outmost opening of your chimney, it can seep into the concrete buildup or the masonry of your house, which can be detrimental. Moisture can also result in mold buildup and pest infestation on the inner chimney liners.
Not only does a chimney cap keeps water out, but it also keeps fire sparks and flammable debris from the environment, thus preventing accidental fire damage to the roof or nearby trees. Often, birds find their way into your chimney, where they can get trapped and eventually die.
Ideally, your chimney cap should be placed about eight inches above the chimney crown. A properly installed chimney cap should not interfere with the emission of the smoke of smoke from the chimney.
Different Materials Used In Chimney Caps
Chimney caps differ in terms of the material used and the purpose they serve. The various materials used in building chimney caps are as under:
Galvanized Steel
The cheapest material used for chimney caps is galvanized steel. This type of steel is less durable, making it susceptible to rust and corrosion that can stain your roofing. If you’re looking for a long-lasting chimney cap, you should never opt for a chimney cap made from galvanized steel.
Aluminum
Aluminum chimney caps are better than galvanized steel chimney caps in durability. They are affordable, lightweight and resistant to corrosion. However, due to their lightness, heavy winds and storms can shatter them.
Copper
If you’re looking for aesthetics, copper-made chimney caps are for you. These are extremely durable, corrosion-resistant, and long-lasting. These are high-maintenance caps as they tend to lose their luster and turn green over time.
Stainless Steel
Chimney caps made from stainless steel are the best investment option you can make. These are relatively expensive; however, they require little maintenance due to their high durability. Chimney caps made from copper and stainless steel come with a lifetime warranty due to their high durability.
Different Categories Of Chimney Caps
Chimney caps are manufactured to serve a variety of purposes. They can be categorized into different varieties depending on the purpose they serve.
Shelter Caps
These chimney caps come in a rectangular shape and are easy to install. They are placed on the chimney crown and often include a mesh to cover the entire opening of the chimney. Homeowners often get their chimney caps customized for a better fitting.
Standard Caps
These chimney caps are single-walled, which means that they are directly attached to chimney flues with clamps, screws, or brackets. They do not stand at a height and can even fit inside the chimney if the flues are lower.
Draft Increasing Caps
The major function of a chimney cap is to prevent outside particles from entering the chimney. The draft increasing cap serves the purpose well by increasing the updraft in the chimney. They also help maintain the temperature in the room where the fireplace is installed by effectively emitting warm air.
These are generally installed in places where there are heavy downdrafts, like in factories.
Wind-Sheild Caps
Wind-resistant chimney caps are designed to effectively reduce downdrafts by preventing outside winding from pushing downwards. These are installed at a minimum height to prevent leaves and debris from entering with the downdrafts.
Storm Resisitant Caps
Storm chimnies increase insulation as they allow airflow from between two layers of solid walls. They do not have a mesh, making them resistant to severe winds and even the effects of hurricanes. The absence of mesh makes the smoke outflow easier since there is no space for debris or other materials to be stuck within the mesh.
Benefits Of Chimney Caps
Chimney caps effectively protect the exterior of your chimney from the outer destructive environment. It can keep moisture from rainwater and snowfall outside your chimney. Moisture can be harmful to your chimney lining and mortar joints.
Specially designed chimney covers can also prevent downdrafts from resulting in leaves, twigs, and debris being stuck within the chimney and flues. This also maintains the temperature within your home by blowing smoke out of the house.
Additionally, Birds and other animals can make their nests within your chimneys. This can damage the functionality of your chimney. These animals can get stuck in the chimney and die. They eventually decompose and lead to the growth of pests, flies, and maggots that have adverse health effects.
They also protect the chimney’s surrounding from catching fire. When flammable ashes and fire sparks travel up your chimney can start a fire on your roof or nearby trees. Thus chimney caps also act as spark arresters.
To enjoy the benefits of chimney caps, it’s best to get an affordable and high-quality installation from a professional company. You must take time to research the make and quality of the chimney cap and not rush through the process.
CT Chimney Repair is the number one chimney repair, remodeling, and cleaning company in Connecticut. We also have extensive experience providing high-quality chimney covers, fireplace repair services, and masonry repair services. Our stainless steel covers come with a lifetime warranty which is why we have a long list of satisfied customers.
Contact us today to get an estimate for chimney repair and inspections.
