by Mike O'Mara | Aug 18, 2017 | Chimney Maintenance
There are lots of reasons to have a chimney cap professionally installed today, and there’s only one company to trust for all of your chimney-related needs. Learn more about chimney caps below, then give Weststar Chimney Sweeps a call today!
Preventing Water Damage
If you know anything about water and brick, then you know they don’t go well together! There are lots of things you want to protect your masonry from and excess moisture is high up on that list. If water gets access to your chimney, you’ll soon be facing mold, rot, rust, stains, decay, clogs, deterioration, and that’s only the beginning! Over time, your system will break down, and the life of your chimney will be cut short.
This is the first of many reasons why chimney caps are so important. They cover the top of your chimney, so that water can’t get in and destroy the lining. The more access water has to your system, the worse off you’ll be, so get a cap installed today, and stay protected!
Keeping Animals Out
Another huge benefit of owning a chimney cap is their ability to keep birds and other critters out. Raccoons and similar animals can easily climb into an uncapped chimney and set up camp. The strong brick and warm cave-like atmosphere make it an ideal spot for building nests and raising young. This leads to clogs, bad odors, and lots of deterioration.
Also, you’ll soon discover that, while animals can easily enter, getting back out can prove to be challenging. Not everything that comes in will be able to get back out and, when they eventually pass away, the smell will stink up your home in a hurry. Not to mention, maggots and other insects will find their way to your chimney before you know it! You don’t need that headache – get that cap installed now.
Other Benefits
On top of these amazing benefits, there’s more that a chimney cap will do for you! If you’ve built fires, you know that sparks can quickly fly away and get out of hand. A chimney cap will stop these stray flames dead in their tracks, so you won’t have to stress about roofing materials or adjacent woodwork catching on fire.
Chimney caps also help prevent unwanted drafts from sweeping down your flue or chimney. Not only do these make your home uncomfortable, but they can bring in some nasty odors with them. And if you’ve got a fire going, say hello to a smoke-filled living room! None of this is remotely ideal, which is why we want you to depend on us today.
For more information, give us a call at 619-338-8116. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 22, 2017 | Chimney Cap Choices
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!