Chimney caps are an important aspect of owning a fireplace. They are placed at the top of the chimney and work to protect it from many hazardous elements. Any fireplace would benefit from having a chimney cap and, as a homeowner, it will save you a lot of time, money, and stress throughout the months and years ahead.
Benefits of Chimney Caps
- Preventing Moisture: Moisture can be your chimney’s worst enemy. It can stain, cause clogs, and decay parts of the masonry that will eventually cause the structure to falter. A chimney cap is a great way to prevent excess moisture from getting into your brickwork. This is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your chimney safe from the outside elements that will do it harm.
- Keeping Out Animals: The last thing a family wants is a squirrel or some other creature running around disturbing their Christmas meal. For many birds and other critters a chimney is the perfect spot to set up home throughout the cold months. Not only does an open chimney give these animals access to your home and belongings, but their nests can cause fire hazards by blocking up your chimney. Chimney caps today will offer many options as far as ensuring that these unwanted visitors stay outside where they belong.
- Controlling Draft: Proper draft control is important when starting up fires more frequently. Issues with this can cause improper ventilation and, before you know it, your home is filled with smoke. This is never something fun to deal with, especially when all you are looking to do is relax by a warm fire on a cold night. Chimney caps play a large factor in affecting how the draft outside affects your fire. Installing one will help ensure that winds are properly controlled and that you can comfortably enjoy your fireplace.
The Right Cap For Your Home
Once you have made the right decision by deciding to purchase a chimney cap for your home, you must make sure that you pick an appropriate one for your specific chimney. Chimney caps vary and different styles will be more appropriate based on the type of chimney you own. For example, the cap needed for a prefabricated chimney will differ from the one needed for an older masonry chimney.
A smart option would be to have a chimney professional examine your specific fireplace and see what will work the best for you. Ask about it in your yearly inspection and see if they can come back out to install your perfect fit. Improper installation can lead to future hazards or loss of the cap altogether once bad weather hits and takes it away. Not to mention, working with an awkward process on top of a two- or three-story house is not ideal for any homeowner.
Call Home Safe Hearth & Chimney Inc. today to schedule an appointment! We can work with your specific needs to get your fireplace running efficiently for the winter months ahead.