We all would like a best friend. Someone that’s got your back, watching out for your best interests. It gives us a chance to relax and not always be on guard. That’s the same thing with a chimney cap. It’s got the back of your chimney so nothing bad happens to it and ultimately your home. So, what does this little piece of steel do? Let’s take a look.
Advantages of Chimney Caps
Let’s start with the basics. A chimney cap does four things really well. It keeps out rain and snow. It blocks animals. It stops sparks. And it fights wind downdrafts. The Chimney cap does all of this? Yes, absolutely. Each reason listed matters more than you might think. Every chimney needs a cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof!
Rain & Snow Protection
We just went through plenty of snow in the Chicagoland area. Let’s begin with the interior of the chimney. Your chimney’s interior is made from porous materials. Firebrick, fire clay tiles, high-temperature mortar, steel, cast iron… all of it absorbs moisture. Without a chimney cap, rainwater goes straight down into those materials. What happens next?
Saturation.
Frost.
Ice formation.
Deterioration at a faster rate.
Water is a chimney’s worst enemy, and a cap is the simplest and most effective defense you have.
Keeping Animals Out
Birds, raccoons, squirrels, even bats (which I have in my yard, great for managing mosquitos), they all think of your chimney as prime real estate. Warm, enclosed and protected from the weather elements. Perfect for nesting and raising young. Here’s the problem. Nesting debris and animal feces block exhaust flow. The smoke can’t get out of your home. Neither can carbon monoxide. That’s dangerous. Baby animals often can’t climb out and die inside the flue. What follows is grim. Foul odors, maggot infestation and airborne disease. And nesting material? Highly flammable. A chimney fire can become a real possibility. A quality chimney cap from Superior Chimney stops all of this before it has a chance to start.
Spark Arrestor Function
Sparks from a fire will leave your chimney. That’s just the physics of it. But where they land is the issue. Trees, dry leaves, roof shingles, nearby brush — one stray spark can ignite any of it. The spark arrestor built into a professional chimney cap intercepts those sparks before they become a problem. It’s a simple feature with serious consequences if it is missing.
Wind Downdraft Control
Ever had smoke blow back into your living room? Annoying, disgusting and potentially hazardous. Wind pushing down your chimney is usually the culprit. A chimney cap minimizes those downdrafts, keeping your fire burning cleanly and your indoor air clear.
What NOT to Do
There are homeowners out there that try to fix the problem on their own. Chicken wire, loose netting laid flat across the flue opening or even a crate from the grocery store creates new problems. Snow accumulates and ice forms. Suddenly your exhaust is blocked. Carbon monoxide and smoke have nowhere to go. That’s not a solution, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Also, let’s not forget that an improperly sized chimney cap can also cause problems. Think of it like a hose with a closed nozzle. Where does the air go?
What To Do Next?
A chimney cap is the most cost-effective preventive measure available for chimney protection. Superior Chimney’s professional-grade caps are engineered as a complete termination assembly for snow, rain, animals, spark arrestor, and wind blocker all in one unit. Superior Chimney certified technicians will ensure that your chimney cap is properly sized and installed. Don’t wait for damage to occur, contact us today at 877-244-6349.