Chimneys are built to endure wind, heat, rain, and cold. Nevertheless, the interior part of the fireplace and chimney is composed of numerous delicate components. These are not allowed to be exposed to different elements. Aside from cleaning and maintaining your chimney regularly, installing a chimney cover is one of the best ways to protect your fireplace from the weather. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the best and protective parts of a chimney.
What is a Chimney Cover?
A chimney cover or chimney cap refers to a fitted hood that is made out of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel. Its primary goal is to protect the top of the flue while still permitting the outgrowth of combustion from the fireplace up to the vent carefully. It protects the chimney from rainwater, birds’ nests, and many other things.
Reasons to Replace an Old Chimney Cover
Chimney covers can be broken when it is exposed to too many elements when it’s poorly constructed or incorrectly installed. If your chimney cover is broken, replace it immediately. Only let a professional replace your chimney cap because if the installation is not adequately done, it will not protect your chimney entirely and could lead to dangerous situations. Having a new chimney cover can also prolong the lifespan of your fireplace.
5 Benefits of Installing a Chimney Cover
Installation of a chimney cover can save your chimney in many ways. Here are some of the benefits which explain how it can benefit you and your chimney.
To Lessen Moisture Damage
The main advantage of installing a cover is to lessen the moisture and damage it does to your chimney. Chimney covers prevent water from getting into your chimney as well as your house. Water can bring severe damage to your chimneys especially if it comes near the chimney damper, stainless steel liners, and chimney mortar joints. Moisture invasion will result in mildew growth and other molds.
To Avoid Chimney Swifts & Other Kinds of Animals
A lot of different animals can get into your chimney including raccoons, chimney swifts, and squirrels. In most cases, these animals are not able to find their way out. Chimney covers installed professionally can help prevent these animals from getting captured and cornered in your chimney.
To Block Downdrafts
It can block the downdrafts from your chimney. Moving air is dangerous for your chimney especially if you have a wood-burning fireplace. This moving air will blow the smoke back into your house if you don’t have a chimney cover to block the downdrafts.
To Avoid Sparks and Embers from Starting Roof Fires
People consider chimney covers as a spark arrester, which means that the chimney cover helps prevent sparks and embers from going through the chimney that might catch fire. Therefore, chimney covers help to prevent fires and subsequent damages.
To Avoid Build-Up of Debris
Branches, twigs, leaves, and debris may build up in your chimney if the chimney covers are not installed correctly. Therefore, it is important to install your chimney covers correctly with the help of professionals.
Choosing the Right Chimney Cover
Chimney covers are made from different kinds of materials. There are caps made from stainless steel, copper, and galvanized. If you choose stainless steel chimney covers, you can be sure that it is free from rust and will last for a longer time. If you go for the copper chimney covers, you can be sure that these covers will last longer compared to galvanized chimney covers.
Spending your money on a chimney cover that’s made out of high-quality materials is money well spent because you will not purchase the same chimney cap over and over again and there’s no risk of staining your chimney through the rust.
The main part of the chimney use season is selecting the professionals who can install them and clean them. So, here are we to help you in this season of need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.