Basics of Chimney Cap Installation

The Basics Of Chimney Cap Installation So You Don't Pay Too Much


If you have a fireplace, chances are you probably also have a chimney. They do go hand in hand. Chimneys are not new inventions. They have been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There are different forms of chimneys. The idea has been around much longer than its modern design counterpart.

Whatever its origins may be, people who own fireplaces attached to a chimney would have to deal with smoke. Back in the day, this was not usually that big of a deal. People did not even think twice about the smoke that their fireplace chugged out. Indeed, if they were to look out the window, let us say in 19th century England, they would have a lot of company. It’s as if every home across the horizon in industrial-era England was cranking out gray smoke from so many smokestacks. We are not just talking about home and chimneys here, but also factory vents.

Fast forward to today, and the story has changed dramatically. Homeowners are increasingly environmentally conscious as much as possible. If you are going to be putting up a chimney or maintaining one, you are going to cut down on smoke emissions because the smoke could mean that something is burning. When you are burning wood, for example, you are releasing carbon dioxide into the environment.

As you probably are aware of, carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas. When it is not in the atmosphere, it helps trap the heat that the sun produces, so when light rays hit the Earth, not all the heat escapes because of the gas layer of the environment, including carbon dioxide. It is one of these gases that help trap the heat that comes naturally from the sun.

Given this changed consciousness regarding the environmental impact or consequences of their chimney ownership, more and more people are idling their fireplaces. They only use their fireplace when they need it, usually in the coldest part of winter. This is the more prudent route for many fireplace owners.

The question to ask them is: “What do you do with the opening at the top of your chimney for the rest of the year?” This opening must be there because that is where the smoke escapes. It is a crucial part of the design of any chimney.

This is where chimney cap installation comes in. A chimney cap is something that you put on your chimney, so water does not enter it, and it looks good from the ground level. It can be made from wire mesh in a box form, or it can also be a small metal cap. Whatever the case may be, more and more homeowners who have chimneys and fireplaces installed are getting into chimney cap installation.


 
 

Why Should You have a Chimney Cap Installation Done?

It is quite simple to overlook and take for granted, but, first, it is very functional. Why? It protects your home from burning down and/or inconvenience roof repair. It does not get any simpler than that. It traps burning particles like embers produced when you have a fire raging in your fireplace. When there is no wind outside, you are often 100% safe because whatever is burned, stays at the bottom of the chimney and only smoke rises.

However, if there is a lot of wind turbulence caused by gusts of wind spiraling down the length of the chimney, it kicks up a lot of burning particles. These embers can be quite sizeable, and if enough of them get lifted by the air, it can end up on your wood tile roof or nearby dried trees. The last thing a homeowner wants is to experience a costly roof replacement. Whatever form it takes, this fire hazard is unacceptable. This is a considerable risk that you must consider if you have a fireplace in a particularly windy part of the country. Additionally, if you live in an area of the country where it can get very windy at certain times of the year, having a fireplace can also be dangerous.

On top of that, a chimney cap installation can help prevent water from getting dumped on your fireplace. This moisture prevention benefit cannot be overstated. Why? Whenever there is moisture in your chimney, it can lead to water getting into cracks and, before you know it, the alternating seasonal patterns of warm and cold can make these cracks grow bigger over time. Before you know it, your chimney has become a hazard. You can go a long way in preventing this very costly problem from happening by getting a chimney cap put in.

Finally, there is also the danger of animals. This is especially true if you cook stuff in your fireplace because of the smell of cooked food as well as whatever burnt grease can draw all sorts of animals, anywhere from small mammals to lizards and whatnot, like a magnet.


Questions to Ask a Chimney Cap Installation Service Provider

Knowing what you know now, it is a good idea to ask the right questions for somebody who you are thinking of hiring for a chimney cap installation. Do not think that since this device looks so simple and straightforward that pretty much anybody could do it. You must hire the right specialist so you can get the job done the first time around. You do not want to put yourself in a situation where the contractor keeps coming back to your home because they screwed up.

So, what kind of questions should you ask? First, ask them about the process. Ask them about how they measure the chimney cap? What kind of materials do they use, or what kind of pre-made chimney cap designs do they have their eye on?

Also, ask them whether they are properly licensed and bonded. This is crucial because a company that has at least gone through the effort of getting bonded and licensed by the appropriate state or local authority is less likely to rip you off. That is the bottom line. This state authorization or licensing does not automatically mean that they are the most competent service provider currently on the market. However, it means that, at the very least, they are willing to go through the time, effort, and hassle of getting properly licensed, and they are serious enough that they guarantee their business.

Additionally, ask for referrals and follow through those references. This is important because when you get those references, they might have had different chimney work done, so ask them about specific chimney cap installation work. Ask for references of past customers who had this type of work done on their premises or a roofing company near me.

If you consider all the above-mentioned tips, the chances of you getting separated from your hard-earned dollars decrease dramatically.

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