We Offer Chimney Caps & Custom Cap Installation for Every Flue
For chimney cap replacement and installation services near you, there’s only one team homeowners throughout Charlottesville call – The Chimney Guys. Our chimney products work hard to keep animals, debris, rain, snow, and sleet out of your chimney flue, so you get that long-lasting protection you deserve. If you need chimney services, don’t hesitate to reach out – we install chimney caps and custom caps for every chimney.
Trusted Chimney Installers Near You: What Does a Chimney Cap Do?
Chimney caps serve multiple purposes, which is why chimney sweeps recommend one for every chimney, no matter what type of flue it has. It seems like such a simple, affordable device (and it is!), but it protects your home and chimney in more than a few ways.
1. Chimney caps prevent water damage.
The biggest thing chimney caps are known for is preventing water from entering your flue. It’s no secret that too much moisture in your chimney is a big reason for premature decay, damage, and crumbling. Your cap covers the opening to your flue, so that rain, snow, and sleet can’t go straight into it.
This is one area where your chimney liner especially will thank you. A chimney that doesn’t have a well-functioning liner is a huge threat to your home, and a chimney cap is the main line of defense when it comes to keeping water out of it. Relining services aren’t cheap, either! Trust us – investing in an affordable cap now is definitely the better option.
2. Chimney caps keep animals out of your flue.
Raccoons, squirrels, birds, and other critters like them are cute and fun to watch from a distance, but we’re guessing you don’t want them running (or flying) through your home. Unfortunately, chimneys are pretty hard for these guys to resist, especially when there’s nothing blocking them from entering. Your strong, sturdy chimney provides a great place for animals to nest, and it protects them from both bad weather and predators.
But these critters aren’t just a nuisance – some, like the chimney swift, are endangered and protected. This means that messing with their nest or removing any young is actually illegal. If they were to nest in your chimney, your only option would be to wait for them to leave. Once they migrate, you can remove anything they’ve clogged your chimney with, but they’re sure to come back the following year.
What’s the best solution for avoiding all the stress and mess involved with animal entry? Invest in a chimney cap that keeps them out for good. We can help with that.
3. Chimney caps block downdrafts.
Is smoke blowing into your living space every time you light a fire? Your chimney cap (or lack thereof) may have a role in this. With nothing blocking its path, air is free to swoop into your chimney, bringing smoke and foul odors in with it.
You may also notice cold downdrafts entering when your fireplace isn’t in use. This is a big struggle when temperatures drop and you’re trying to keep your house as warm as possible. Not only does it send a chill through anyone in the space, but it causes your heating system to work overtime (thus shortening its lifespan and upping your monthly bills).
Both of these scenarios are frustrating and annoying to deal with, but a well-fitted cap could solve your problems for good – a solid investment.
4. Chimney caps prevent debris buildup and clogging.
We mentioned how much of a nuisance it is when animals bring in leaves, twigs, and the like, but sometimes these materials come in on their own too. Windy days are known for sending all kinds of debris into open flues. These materials clog things up fast, making it dangerous for you to light fires in your fireplace.
A well-fitted chimney cap can keep your flue cleaner. And by keeping the flue clear of blockages and clogs, a chimney cap can also prevent smoky fireplace issues.
5. Chimney caps can serve as spark arrestors.
From time to time, those especially active fires can send sparks and embers up your chimney, where they wind up landing on your roof. Now, if one of these were to land in a pile of leaves or grass that the wind blew onto the roof, you could find yourself facing flames in more places than just your fireplace. If a metal chimney cap is in place, it will stop those pesky sparks dead in their tracks, so you don’t have to stress.
Chimney Cap Installation: One Small Investment With a Big Payoff
If you are at all concerned about the quality and fit of your chimney cap or if your chimney is missing a cap, then the sooner you act, the better. This is a classic example of investing in inexpensive services early on to avoid costly fireplace repairs down the line.
We take care of homeowners throughout the greater Charlottesville area, so reach out to us by phone or request an appointment online at your next convenience. Your safety and comfort always come first with The Chimney Guys.
Our chimney and fireplace services ensure a stronger chimney – be sure to ask about our masonry repair options.