Our Company Blog

Prevent Leaky Chimneys With a Chimney Cap

Are you concerned about leaks in your chimney? Well, there’s no doubt that water and excess moisture can do a lot of damage quick. However, Weststar Chimney Sweeps is here to help every step of the way, so contact us soon if you start to notice issues. There’s no better team to trust than us!

A wonderful solution to chimney leaks is a chimney cap. It is an easy, efficient, and inexpensive way to seal the top of your chimney. Don’t let the stress of a broken chimney ruin your burning season. With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, the time to call on our team is now.

Perks Of Owning A Chimney Cap

raining and rainbow outside a windowChimney caps are great for preventing leaks and water damage, but did you know that they do a lot more than that? They are also great for keeping out debris, wild animals and nesting materials they may bring in with them. As you can imagine, this saves our customers a whole lot of trouble down the line!

Chimney caps also help to block downdrafts. If the weather is colder and windier than expected, you won’t have to worry about chilly outdoor air entering your home with a chimney cap. Finally, chimney caps stop stray sparks from landing on your roof, which lowers your risk of house fires. Keep your home safer and more comfortable by investing in a chimney cap today.

Have You Already Experienced Water Damage?

As we’ve said, chimney caps are great for preventing water damage, but what if the damage has already been done? Well, don’t fret because our team is here to help with that too! We offer a wide range of chimney repair services, so you can rest easy.

We can trace the cause of your chimney leaks, then patch everything up, so you don’t have to stress any longer. Once we’re done, we’ll set you up with a  chimney cap, so you’ll be good for the long haul. We know our customers deserve the best care, which is why our team never cut corners or take the easy road.

Why Should I Get A Chimney Cap Installed?

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!

Why You Should Waterproof Your Chimney

Fireplaces make a great addition to any living space. They add a warm and welcoming aesthetic that enhances the overall feel of the room, and I think everyone agrees that cozying up to a warm hearth after a long day is more than ideal!

Your fireplace works hard to keep your home warm and bring your family together, which is why it’s important to take care of it. Scheduling regular maintenance and inspections, as well as keeping it protected, will benefit you a lot in the long run and will ensure your chimney is not left vulnerable to animals and bad weather. One practice we highly recommend is waterproofing. Learn more below!

Damage & Your Chimney

When it comes to protecting your chimney from water damage, you don’t want to skimp. Water takes its toll on masonry and, once it is absorbed into your brickwork, you could wind up facing lots of issues. Bricks are strong, but incredibly porous and many homeowners don’t realize how easily water is sucked in! That’s why protecting your chimney’s exterior is so vital for running a long-lasting appliance.

Some issues you may notice are rotting, stains, clogs, decay, and deterioration. You may also see cracks or holes forming throughout the chimney, as well as your mortar breaking down and crumbling. All of these things lead to even more issues when not quickly resolved, and they make your fireplace unsuitable and unsafe for regular use.

If your chimney is exposed to enough wear and tear it may eventually settle or collapse, putting your entire home and family at risk. It’s not worth the stress and worry… invest in preventative measures to ensure your residence stays protected every day!

We Can Help You Out!

At WestStar Chimney Sweeps, we have all of the tools and expertise needed to ensure the job gets done right. When you put your chimney in our hands, you won’t need to worry about anything – we know our stuff!

And trust us when we say that hiring a professional is the way to go. We know that there are multiple online tutorials that ensure homeowners can save time and money by doing this job themselves. Unfortunately, many products that people wind up using don’t allow the chimney breath out vapors, thus trapping the moisture in.

We use products that protect your home, without suffocating it. By investing in our waterproofing services today, you can say goodbye to future issues with leaks, water damage, and more! It’s a small price to pay for years of protection, and we know you’ll be happy you did it.

Contact us to learn more, and we can get you in our books! We love making homes great and we can’t wait to get started on yours!

Functions Of A Chimney Cap

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!