Chimney Caps
Chimneys are one of the most important parts of your home. They provide warmth and comfort during those cold winter months, but they also serve as an exit for smoke from your fireplace or wood stove. Without a chimney cap, however, rainwater can enter into the flue and cause damage to both your house and chimney itself. A properly installed chimney cap will prevent this from happening.
Why You Need a Chimney Cap
There are a few reasons why you need to have a chimney cap installed on your chimney. The main reason is to keep rainwater from entering the flue and causing damage. A properly installed chimney cap will also prevent animals, such as birds or squirrels, from nesting in your chimney and creating a fire hazard. In addition, a cap can help improve the draft of your fireplace or wood stove, making them more efficient.
If you don’t have a chimney cap installed on your chimney, it’s important to take action right away. Contact a qualified contractor to install one for you – it’s an investment that will definitely be worth it in the long run!
How To Install a Chimney Cap
Step One: Measure the Chimney
Before you purchase a chimney cap, you need to measure the width and height of your chimney. This will ensure that you get a cap that fits properly.
Step Two: Clean the Chimney Crown
The next step is to clean the crown of the chimney. This is where the chimney cap will be installed. Use a wire brush to remove any build-up or soot.
Step Three: Apply Cement to Chimney Crown
Now that the chimney crown is clean, you can apply a thin layer of cement around it. Be sure not to apply too much or else your chimney cap will be loose and more likely fall off.
Step Four: Set Cap on the Crown
The last step is simply setting the chimney cap onto the crown of your chimney. This should snap right into place without any issue, but if for some reason it doesn’t fit properly just remove it and try again with another size/style of cap until you find one that works best for your home’s unique needs!
Tips for Buying a Chimney Cap
Stainless Steel v. Aluminum
There are a few things to look for when searching for chimney caps. The first thing is what material they are made from, stainless steel or aluminum. Either one of these materials will work fine as long as it can withstand the elements and heat coming from your fireplace so you don’t have any rusting issues on the roof. Stainless steel usually lasts longer than aluminum but both options should last at least 20 years without fail if installed properly.
Shapes & Sizes
Another important factor of buying a chimney cap is that they come in different shapes and sizes for various types of fireplaces which all vary greatly depending on how big/small your fireplace opening is, square shaped vs round shaped etc.Even though you might think that a chimney cap is just decorative and does not do much, it actually plays an important role in the protection of your home. A good quality cap will prevent debris from falling into your fireplace opening which can cause many problems such as fire hazards or even damage to both the roof and interior of your house.
Temperature & Screens
Another benefit of choosing stainless steel over aluminum is its ability to withstand high temperatures up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit without warping unlike most other metal materials (aluminum) which cannot handle extremely hot conditions very well. One last thing when buying a chimney cap is whether or not they come with screens for preventing any animal intruders like birds, squirrels etc., along with leaves and twigs from entering into the chimney.
Things to look for when buying a chimney cap:
* What material is it made of? (Stainless steel or aluminum)
* What shape and size is it? (Square vs round)
* Will a cap protect the roof from debris/leaves/etc.?
* Does the chimney cap come with screens or not?
Where To Buy a Chimney Cap
Looking for a quality chimney cap? Advanced Chicago has you covered. We have chimney caps in stock and ready to be installed. Give us a call today! Our staff is knowledgeable and can help you find the right chimney cap for your needs. Not only do we carry high-quality products, but we also offer competitive prices. You won’t find a better value anywhere else.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about us on our website advancedchicago.com or call us today at (773) 622-7836!