A Chimney Cap Acts Like a Roof for the Flue

Every chimney needs a cap for the same reason every house needs a roof. Without a cap, the chimney flue and crown are unprotected against the elements. You see, chimney flues are large openings pointing skyward. Chimney caps with “spark arrestors” are used to cover the flue opening and keep out moisture, animals, birds, and other things.

Chimney Flue Cap
Chimney Flue Cap

Why It’s Important to Keep the Elements Out of Your Chimney

  • Remember, water is the biggest cause of damage to masonry —but a chimney cap can prevent water penetration. Keeping water out of and off the chimney flue is a good way to prevent deterioration to a masonry chimney.
  • The stainless steel mesh on a chimney cap and spark arrestor is perfect for keeping out squirrels, birds and raccoons.
  • Chimney caps also prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering any type of flue (including oil and gas furnaces) and causing blockages or chimney fires.
  • AND they help eliminate wind-induced downdrafts. This makes it easier to keep that fire or furnace burning without interruption.
Chimney Cap - Clean Sweep Anne Arundel

What to Keep IN Your Chimney

While we are always talking about what can potentially come into the flue, when talking about caps, we need to also discuss what can come out of the flue: sparks and embers. The mesh that surrounds the cap works to keep those sparks and embers in their place and prevent them from escaping out onto the roof or into brush near the home where they could potentially start a roof fire.

We Install Chimney Caps and Even Create a Custom Chimney Cap for You

Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County offers and installs many types, sizes, and styles of chimney caps and tops.

  • We offer stainless steel caps, which are guaranteed against rust and have the best chance of lasting a long time.
  • We offer copper chimney caps, which last much longer than those made of regular galvanized metal — and we find many love the way they patina through the years.
  • We make and install custom chimney caps as well.
Spending a little extra on a high-quality chimney cap with a lifetime warranty is money well spent. And while we are talking about quality, we offer a large variety of standard and custom-made chimney caps, all of which carry a lifetime manufacturer warranty. They are made to exacting standards from the finest materials, which stand up to severe weather, heat from your fireplace, and animals.

Don’t Lose That Warranty – Have Your Cap Professionally Installed

In need of a chimney cap? Think twice before heading to the local hardware store. Most caps are fastened to the top of the flue and must be attached by a certified chimney sweep in order to be covered by the warranty. Just another reason to deal with a reputable company that is dedicated to certification and education! For your next cap, call on Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. You can also request an appointment online! You can also request an appointment online! If a missing or damaged chimney cap has left the inside of your flue in need of attention or repair, you may be able to take advantage of the Flue Liner Repair Systems that we offer as part of our chimney services package.
 
One of our most frequent chimney services is fixing leaking chimneys and applying water repellent. Ask us for more information today.