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The Many Jobs Of A Chimney Cap

by | Jul 9, 2019 | Chimney Cap

The chimney cap may not look like the most impressive part of your chimney’s anatomy, but the truth is you would be in rough shape without one. This device plays a big role in keeping your chimney better protected, and it ends up taking on a lot of different jobs in the process.

Concerned that your cap is missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed? Get our team on the job. We would be happy to check things over and set you up right. In the meantime, learn more about the many jobs of your chimney cap below.

Preventing Water Damagechimney with cap

Your chimney liner, smoke shelf, brickwork, mortar, and everything inside of your chimney need to stay in good shape to ensure your fireplace functions as safely and as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the water to find its way into your system and wreak havoc, causing all of these parts to break down and deteriorate.

When your structure has holes, gaps, and cracks, your risk of experiencing house fires and gas leaks increases significantly. Because of this, it is vital to do everything you can to keep water out. The chimney cap completely covers your flue opening, making a big impact on your system’s ability to keep water out.

Keeping Out Wildlife

Water isn’t the only thing your cap keeps out. It also prevents birds, raccoons, bees, and other types of creatures from working their way in and causing problems throughout your home. Not only can these critters be loud and annoying, but their nesting materials can also clog up your flue and create fire hazards, too. Keep them out by having your chimney cap installed and save yourself a lot of stress and hassle.

Preventing Downdrafts

Are downdrafts swooping into your home, affecting the temperature inside and causing your energy bills to skyrocket? A chimney cap helps keep those cold drafts out for good, so you stay as cozy and as comfortable as possible. This also ensures that nasty creosote-related smells won’t be sent through your home – a win-win!

Stopping Excess Debris

When your flue is left uncovered and vulnerable, it is easier than ever for leaves, twigs, dirt, and more to blow into it. Not only do these things eventually build up and cause clogs, but they could end up causing a chimney fire, as well. A cap will keep these materials out, so your airflow isn’t affected.

Serve As Spark Arrestors

Lastly, chimney caps are able to effectively stop any stray sparks or embers from sneaking up your chimney and landing on your roofing materials. If one of these would land in the wrong spot, a fire could easily ignite, putting your entire home and family at risk. Don’t take any chances – have your cap installed today!

We Can Help

The Weststar Chimney Sweeps team is ready to set you up right, so book your appointment with our CSIA certified crew today. We would love to do all we can to keep your home safer, more comfortable, and free of stressful situations. Call now!

Top 3 Chimney Repairs

by | Jul 9, 2014 | Chimney Maintenance

Prevention is The Cure: Top 3 Chimney Repairs

It’s tough to manage and organize your own home. You have a handful of big and important decisions to make, plus a seemingly never-ending to-do list. You are not only concerned about the well-being and functionality of every aspect of your home, but you also need to think about the safety and security of you and your family.

This sentiment is doubled when homeowners have chimneys in their home. Based on our years of experience here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we know what you need to do to optimize performance and safety.

Over the course of your home's life, your chimney will likely need repair. Here are three of the most common.

Over the course of your home’s life, your chimney will likely need repair. Here are three of the most common.

To help you further, here are the top 3 parts of the chimney that are usually subjected to repair:

As its name suggests, the chimney crown is located at the top most portion of the chimney. The chimney crown’s main function is that it covers the chimney to prevent moisture from filtering down in the stone or brick walls. Basically, it protects the mortar, which in turn holds everything in place. This part of the chimney is constantly subjected to drastic changes in weather and temperature so with time, the chimney crown may have cracks and leaks that may cause varying degrees of problems.

  • Chimney Liner Repair

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America a chimney liner is a; “clay, ceramic or metal conduit intended to contain the combustion products and direct them to the outside atmosphere”. So basically, your chimney liner not only protects you, your family and your home from the harmful products of combustion and burning, it also protects your chimney and allows it to last longer.

  • Flashing Repair

Flashing is done to ensure that your chimney is waterproof and safe. Flashing is basically a sheet of metal which consists of two panel parts. These are installed to make sure that the area where the chimney meets the roof of your home is watertight and safe.

To know your chimney and to avoid huge damages, you need to understand how each part of your chimney works. You need to have an idea what each part is for to see their importance. Once you get to grasp that, you’d be more careful and mindful of your chimney as a whole.