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Chimney Caps Protect Your Home and Chimney

Every brick chimney needs a flue cap.

This chimney has problems with the crown, but also demonstrates an uncovered flue. A new concrete crown and a simple flue cap could protect this chimney for decades to come.

Flue-mounted chimney caps function quite well, and are economical. Alternatively, a custom-made cap which covers the entire chimney crown is sometimes preferred in some situations.

Chimney caps provide many useful functions.

  • Quality Chimney caps control sparks and help prevent fires.
  • Chimney caps keep rainwater from entering a fireplace. Otherwise, rain mixes with creosote and creates a corrosive acidic mixture which can rust out the damper, cause odors and unsightly stains in the firebox, and prematurely damage bricks and mortar.
  • A chimney cap will effectively keep birds, squirrels, and other animals out of the chimney. They often look for new homes in the Spring, when fireplaces are not in use, but a cap protects both the home…and the wild animals from making this mistake. A birds’ nest in the chimney is an instant problem when a fire is built. Birds are in trouble, and your enjoyable moment is ruined.
  • Chimney caps help limit downdrafts in windy conditions, which cause smoke and/or odors to enter the house.

A simple cap may do the trick.

In many cases, a basic chimney cap that clamps onto the protruding flue liner can be purchased from a hardware store and installed by the average do-it-yourselfer. If this is your answer, do not use nails or wire to attach the chimney cap. Hammer and nails are for wood structures. The flue-mounted cap simply clamps tightly to the flue liner with screws. 

Custom caps mounted to the chimney itself with nails in mortar can dislodge brick and crack mortar joints, and also are subject to rust over time. A masonry bit and proper stainless concrete fasteners work much better in safely securing a custom cap. Improper fastening can cause caps to blow off in high winds, causing damage and potential safety issues.

Some homeowners may not want to venture out onto their roof. Most chimney sweeps can provide and install these caps for a reasonable fee when they are cleaning the chimney.

If you have signs of brick or mortar damage, it might make sense to call Brick Doctor, especially if you suspect you may need any repairs beyond cleaning. We can take a look at your chimney crown and brick, and appraise it for wear and tear, and offer you some good options for a chimney cap.

Help is available on assessing the overall condition of your chimney.

Additional resources for further help:

Chimney Flashing Issues

Brick Chimney Crowns

Maybe you would like a chimney cap to cover the entire crown.

Covering the flue of a brick chimney is essential. For protection of the entire crown, a custom cover, as shown below, can be built. Custom chimney caps made of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or copper can be quite expensive, but are designed to protect the entire top of the chimney.

Custom chimney caps discussed in depth

Custom-Chimney-Cap-R

Can We Help You with an Issue with a Chimney Cap or Cover?

Over the years, Brick Doctor has done just about everything when it comes with issues with Chimney caps and Covers. We know what we are doing. Let us know if we can help you.

Don’t take our word for it. (Check out our reviews). And, even better, ask a neighbor for a recommendation. We have done tens of thousands of projects all over the DFW Metroplex since 1986, including for some of your neighbors.

Have any particular questions or concerns about your chimney crown at your home? We can help.

Brick Doctor is always ready to answer your questions, address your concerns or provide an estimate for repairs designed for the scope of your needs.

We look forward to assisting you. Reach out today. Contact us

972-234-0900
817-540-1800
info@brickdoctor.com

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