Chimney Caps
We install & replace chimney caps for residents in Milwaukee, Lake Geneva WI, Germantown WI, Waukesha WI, West Allis WI, Greenfield WI, and Delavan WI.
If you’re questioning whether you need a chimney cap, consider this- this little piece of metal atop your chimney can save you thousands of dollars on unnecessary chimney repairs and is relatively inexpensive to install. A chimney cap is a cover for your chimney opening that helps keep unwanted items out of your chimney system. Installed at the top of your chimney, these toppers fit over the top of your chimney liner. Chimney caps perform three important functions:
- Keeping moisture out
- Keeping animals and debris out
- Providing spark protection
Chimney Caps Help Keep Moisture & Water Out
Water and moisture are a major problem for chimneys. Freezing & thawing cycles and other harsh weather conditions can cause cracks and deterioration in the masonry of your chimney and flue. A chimney cap does an excellent job of keeping water and moisture out which can help prevent costly chimney repairs. When water soaks into the porous bricks and masonry materials in your chimney, it causes the surface to break off. This is known as spalling. It can also cause your chimney liner to deteriorate and crack. When you add a chimney cap, you can increase the longevity of your chimney. Water is the biggest enemy to your chimney system and causes the most chimney damage so taking preventative measures to ensure water won’t enter your chimney is extremely important.
Chimney Caps Keep Animals and Debris Out
An obvious reason to install a chimney cap would be to keep debris and animals out of your chimney. During storms or windy days, leaves, twigs, and other items may fall down into your flue and begin to accumulate inside your chimney, possibly causing a dangerous blockage. Raccoons, squirrels, birds (especially Chimney Swifts), and other critters may find your chimney to be quite comfortable and decide to build a nest which can clog the opening in your chimney.
Blockages caused by debris or nests can cause chimney drafting problems or even chimney fires. When the opening to your flue is clogged, gases and smoke can back up into your living space making for a very uncomfortable situation. You may experience smoke & soot damage or even worse- carbon monoxide poisoning. A chimney cap will keep things from crawling or falling into your chimney system so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Chimney Caps Control Unruly Embers
Chimney caps contain spark guards which keep burning embers from landing on your rooftop or nearby flammable objects & materials. The tiny burning particles can cause damage to your roof and can even been hot enough to start a fire. Chimney caps are especially useful on windy days because they prevent downdrafts by blocking crosswinds from entering your chimney. There are even chimney caps that help improve drafting problems in your current fireplace setup.
Residents in the Milwaukee area including Burlington, Kenosha, Lake Geneva, Port Washington, West Bend, Richfield, and Racine trust in Burlington Fireplace & Heating for their chimney cap installations and replacements. We will install a properly fitted chimney cap to help you prevent costly chimney repairs in the future.