If you own your own fireplace, you may be aware of the various parts that need regular maintenance. Dampers, brickwork, flue liners, and flashing are just a few of the many components that make up your chimney. Every piece plays an important role, and learning about these various parts is important in maintaining regular upkeep.

One piece that does a lot of work for your chimney, but often gets overlooked, is the chimney cap. Many homeowners wonder if installing a chimney cap is actually necessary for maintaining chimney health. The answer is yes! Chimney caps serve various functions and do a lot when it comes to helping your chimney stand strong for years to come. Check out some of these below!

Prevents Water Damage

Water and masonry should not mix. When water gets into your brickwork it triggers countless issues. Some of these include rusting, deterioration, cracking, mold and mildew accumulation, clogs, water stains, and rot. Your chimney may also wear down enough that a collapse or settlement may occur. All of these lead to unsightly and unsafe problems that put your home and family at risk.

Chimney caps help keep water out of your chimney. They are placed over the opening on the top of your chimney and keep it dry during bad weather and storms. The Underwriters Laboratories now requires a chimney cap in order to meet their safety standards! Invest in one today to keep water out.

Keeps Animals Out

Various birds and woodland creatures love to use chimneys for storage. Chimneys provide a warm and cozy spot to build nests and stash leaves, twigs, grass, and more. Unfortunately, these materials cause clogs and may trigger chimney fires if not removed. On top of this, the animals themselves may climb in and get stuck. If they can’t find their way out, you will soon start facing nasty smells and pest accumulation.

When you have a chimney cap installed, animals are left with no way to enter and cause problems. Getting a professional in to remove these critters and the debris that comes with them makes for a lot of extra hassle. Minimize stress and stop wasting time on issues that are easy to avoid. Purchase a chimney cap today!

Acts As Spark Arrestors

When you run your fireplace, stray sparks can easily work their way up the chimney and onto your roof. This could lead to a house fire, putting your home and family in a lot of danger! A chimney cap helps avoid this problem. They are known as spark arrestors, meaning they contain flying sparks from landing on your roof. Play it safe, and have your cap installed today.

Call Us Now!

At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we are qualified to install and inspect your chimney cap. Contact us today to ensure your home is protected. We look forward to making your chimney great!