“Put a Cap on it”: Why You Need a Chimney Cap

Do you know what a chimney cap is or what purpose it serves? Although chimney caps aren’t required, chimney professionals highly recommended them as they provide added protection to your chimney and home. So, what exactly is a chimney cap and why do chimney sweeps swear by them?

A chimney cap is a metal cap that sits on the tippity top of your chimney and helps protect your chimney against the elements. One reason you should have one is because one of their main jobs is to help direct water away from the crown and flue that connect to your fireplace or woodstove. This, in turn, will also increase the lifetime of your chimney liner. Water is one of the main causes of chimney damage and deterioration. Therefore, a chimney cap is essential in keeping your chimney and all of its working parts in top condition.

Another reason caps are recommended is because they help keep debris, twigs, animals, and moisture from entering your home. A buildup of these can cause a chimney fire or hinder the draft of your chimney. The draft is super critical to the proper functioning of your chimney, and without one, your chimney is basically useless. A right-sized cap along with the mesh that wraps around it will stop the debris from entering your home and will help with airflow and proper drafting.

While it seems as though a chimney cap only helps prevent elements from entering your chimney, it also helps prevent certain substances from escaping it. It is possible for large sparks from a fire to make their way up the chimney flue and escape up out of the chimney. If this happens, the sparks can catch onto a patch of dry grass or leaves and cause a fire. A properly installed chimney cap will help contain the sparks until they eventually die out.

Of all of the reasons to install a chimney cap, the top concern should be the safety of your family and home. As a top Chicagoland chimney sweep, we have been in business for over 40 years, and focus on making commercial and residential chimneys safer to use. Our team is your choice for quality and experienced chimney sweep service in the west suburbs of Chicago.

For those of you who are worried about the cost of a chimney cap installation, they are fairly cheap and easy to install. If you wait to get one added to your chimney, you may end up facing damage and repairs later on down the road that will end up costing you more in the long run. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us at Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration today and we will help you pick the perfect cap for your chimney!

Be sure to check out our photo gallery to see some before and after photos of the chimney repairs and installation projects we’ve taken on over the years!