A chimney seems like a pretty tough structure, right? Bricks stones, and mortar are materials that are very long-lasting and durable. But there is something that can work against the toughness of your chimney, and that is precipitation. Water can get in your chimney and cause several different problems, some more serious than others. One of the best lines of defense against serious chimney problems is to have your chimney inspected on an annual basis so that if there is damage, it can be repaired before it becomes major. At Owens Chimney Systems, we’ll check for any signs of water damage and find the source of the problem. The first thing we look at is the chimney cap.

What is a Chimney Cap?

A chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney, right above the chimney crown. It serves several purposes, including keeping rain out of your chimney. Your chimney has a flue, which is the pipe or duct that runs up your chimney and allows the smoke and chemicals it carries to leave your home. Since this is open, it is also a great channel for rain and other precipitation to flow down. Your chimney cap fits over that opening and stops precipitation from getting in your chimney. This is important because rain in your chimney can cause internal structural damage by eating at the mortar and bricks. It can cause other damage as well, such as rusting dampers, weakening the walls and ceiling around your fireplace, damaging the firebox, or cracking the flue. It’s pretty easy to see why this is such an important part of your chimney system. And not only does your chimney cap keep water out of your chimney, it also keeps sparks and embers in. This protects your home from the chances of a roof fire.

What Purpose do Chimney Caps Serve?

But that’s not all that it will protect you from. There are other things that can get in your chimney and cause an annoyance or damage. Birds and other animals, such as squirrels or even raccoons love to find dark, warm places that get them out of the wind and elements and offer protection from predators while they are raising a family. Your chimney fits the bill! This can be annoying because those little animals can make lots of noise. In most areas, it is illegal to remove certain nesting animals from your chimney, and you’ll just have to wait until they leave to get rid of this nuisance. The problem is, they’ll leave their nest behind, and not only will this make it more difficult for the smoke to leave your chimney, it is also a fire hazard. The best solution is to keep those animals out before they build a nest, and a chimney cap will do just that.

Stop these problems before they are problems by calling Owens Chimney Systems today or visiting us online. We’ll make sure your chimney cap is in perfect working condition so precipitation and critters aren’t getting into your chimney!