Custom Chimney Caps

You get the impression that cleaning your chimney won’t be too difficult. Building a fireplace requires just brick, mortar, and a firebox to complete the structure. But the fact of the matter is that a fireplace and chimney system is comprised of a great deal more than just that. There are a lot of moving pieces, and all of them have to be in good shape for you to have a fire that is both safe and effective. For instance, you need to make sure that your chimney liner is free from cracks and fissures, that it fits correctly, and that it enables smoke to pass through it without any obstructions as it makes its way out of your home. Your chimney crown has to be free of cracks in order to properly divert water away from the opening of the chimney and, in particular, away from the foundation of the chimney. In order to prevent water from penetrating the roof, the flashing must be in good condition, free of rips and corrosion, and fastened down securely in the appropriate pattern. A good mortar should be sturdy and not crumble easily.

Then there’s the dampers, which need to be rust-free and tightly fitted so that they can perform the job of either keeping cold air out of your chimney when it’s cold outside and your fireplace isn’t being used or allowing smoke to flow out of the chimney when your fireplace is being used. When it’s cold outside and your fireplace isn’t being used, the dampers should keep cold air out, but when it’s being used, they should let smoke flow out. When you have your chimney cleaned and inspected, these are just a few of the places that you should make sure the person doing so pays attention to. At Owens Chimney Systems, we will ensure that all of these locations, as well as others, are inspected thoroughly. However, there is one more component of your chimney that will receive our undivided attention over the course of our yearly inspection, and that component is the chimney cap.

Difference In the Space Between the Cap and the Crown
The chimney cap and the chimney crown are terms that are frequently confused by the general public. This is not hard to comprehend. Both of these components are placed atop the chimney and are responsible for preventing water from entering the flue. That’s pretty much where the parallels end, though. The portion that is built onto the very top of the chimney and is known as the chimney crown rests there. Cement is the typical material used to construct it. It is slanted so that precipitation drains down towards the roof rather than down into your chimney. This keeps your chimney clear. The chimney cap, on the other hand, is not an integral part of your chimney; rather, it is an accessory that is attached to the top of the chimney and serves the purpose of preventing precipitation from entering the flue.

It’s possible that your chimney doesn’t have a cap on it, but installing one is strongly suggested if it doesn’t already have one. The chimney cap is designed to resemble a small chamber complete with a ceiling and is positioned over the top of the opening to your chimney. The rain is channeled toward the chimney crown and subsequently away from the roof thanks to the sloping design of the roof. Additionally, it includes metal grated sides that let smoke from your fire to escape while simultaneously preventing animals, birds, and other trash from entering your chimney. This maintains your chimney clear of impediments like as dried nests, dried leaves and twigs, and paper, all of which are potential sources of a chimney fire if they were to catch a spark and ignite.

If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Helm and other affordable services.

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