How Chimney Caps Protect Your Home

By Stephen Schmidt


Many families living in homes with a built in furnace should consider other ways of keeping their chimney clean. Per regulations a chimney needs to be cleaned every four years, but for those people unable to keep it clean due to time restrictions. It is possible to lower the expenses on cleaning and upkeep by having their chimneys fitted with a tight cover.

Which is why many people are going crazy about flue caps. It prevents several things from entering your furnace that is why chimney caps virginia beach are becoming popular. Per regulations a sweeper must visit a household to check the conditions of the family smokes haft. Reducing the frequency of visits from the chimney sweeper by having a chimney cap installed.

Chimney caps are made out of copper, stainless steel, and also comes in galvanized version. All have a life time warranty and last for an indefinite period of time. However if you choose to have your caps customize most dealers offer this option especially if you have a different size, or you want a new design.

The cost of the cap and installation are relatively small unless you have the large, non standard cap installed, or if it is not easy to reach. Installation can be done by yourself, but it may void the warranty and could cause serious fall injury. A good sized cover does not interfere with draft, the lid should be at least five inches above of the flue tiles it covers.

Hearth caps do not obstruct the draft, and the lid is supposed to be five inches past the flue tiles that shroud it. Moisture is prevented from entering the smoke shaft, rain water often damages the fireplace by destroying the mortar joints, stainless steel liners, and dampers through moisture. Not only does it produce mold, but also creates mildew.

Moisture is produced when incorrect burning techniques are used. It destroys the dampers, mortar joints, and stainless steel liners. Another reason to keep the flue covered is to prevent raccoons, squirrels, and birds to enter. They have an easy time entering the furnace, but escaping can be dire. These animals die from hunger and thirst then pass away leaving their smelly maggot and fly infested carcasses behind.

Strong winds can introduce down draft, this refers to a downward current of air coming down from the furnace into the room. Using a wood burning fireplace especially during windy seasons could blow smoke back into your home. The flat shaped top is designed to prevent this.

An uncovered smoke shaft can release lighted embers on the roof top. This is very dangerous because when lighted embers fall on the roof the chance of getting on fire is very high. Placing a mesh obstructs the embers and sparks from traveling to the roof.

Debris refers to leaves, branches, twigs, and other kinds of dirt that enters a furnace. If ignored far too long this could cause clogging, but having a cap in place prevents build up. Keep these tips in mind when you decide to have your fireplace fitted with a cap. Some might wonder if the cover interferes with draft but it does not, a draft controls how much smoke is drawn up and out.




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