Why you should install Chimney caps – 4 benefits
A proper chimney cap covers the top of the chimney so that birds, raccoons, squirrels, and insect nests are prevented from entering the chimney. A chimney cap installation is relatively inexpensive, and one installation is all you need. It is not possible to prevent animals, their debris, rainwater, and other unwanted materials from entering your chimney without proper chimney caps. A chimney inhabited by animals and their debris poses a fire hazard as well. You can expect poor burns from your fire and need to have your chimney cleaned. So by installing a good quality chimney cap, you can avoid all these problems. Here we will discuss the 4 benefits that why you should install chimney caps to save your money on maintenance and repairs.
Protect from Birds and Animals
The main reason for having a cap on your chimney is to stop animals from entering it. There are numerous animals that climb into chimneys. Squirrels, raccoons, and even snakes are known to do so; however, they usually cannot climb out of the chimney by themselves. These animals often become trapped and die, resulting in a smelly carcass. Because wild animals carry diseases, you need to avoid contact with them.
Open chimneys are often chosen by birds and chimney swifts as nesting places because of their warmth. You’ll have to suffer through the chirping until a chimney swift decides to move on from its nest inside your chimney. But if you have a mesh chimney cap, you should not have to worry about animals and birds in your chimney.
Spark Deflector
There is usually a spark arrestor or screen inside the chimney cap that helps control sparks. The wind can carry sparks that exit your chimney and ignite trees and leaves outside. The obvious thing here is to avoid it at all costs. On chimney caps, protective wire mesh serves as spark deflectors as well. This is particularly important in dry climates.
Protect from Rainwater
A good quality and properly installed chimney cap keeps the rain out of your chimney. It is crucial because rain flowing down the chimney could find its way into your attic or house, creating costly damage.
Make Your Home Energy Efficient
An open chimney can experience downdrafts, causing smoke to fill the home or forcing cold air through the doors. Adding a chimney cap and stopping the blast of cold air will result in greater energy efficiency in your home.
Pro Tip for Chimney Cap Selection
The chimney cap you choose should be specific to the type and size of your chimney. Moreover, it must be properly mounted so that it can draw freely and won’t blow away during a storm. If you don’t know which chimney cap is good, you should consult with your masonry repair contractors in Fredericton to find out the best one.
You need to consider how much money the chimney caps will save you when deciding whether or not they are worth the effort. Without chimney caps, thousands of dollars would need to be repeatedly spent on chimney repairs, firebox maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation. All you need to do is install chimney caps, and your chimney will be rain and animal-proof. There won’t be any wear and tear or any need for maintenance after installation. As an added bonus, the caps give your home a cosmetic boost.