Preventing Snow in Your Fireplace
In most cases, one of these three additions may be seen atop fireplace chimneys; their purpose is to reduce the amount of moisture that makes its way into the fireplace itself. Whether you are unsure, you should inspect your chimney to determine if it contains any of the following:
the Chimney Crown, the Chimney Cowl, and the Chimney Damper
Caps for Chimneys
A chimney cap is an item that is often constructed out of some kind of metal and has the shape of a flat rectangle. It is positioned such that it is directly over the top of the chimney and is held in place by legs. The name “umbrella” is sometimes used to describe to chimney caps, which is an apt description given that the cap seems to be shaped like an umbrella.
The cap protects the aperture of the chimney from the elements while at the same time preventing smoke from totally escaping through the top of the chimney. In most cases, the top of the chimney is protected by a screen that prevents birds and other small animals from entering the chimney and making their way into the rest of the house. The fact that chimney caps might, on occasion, mistakenly guide smoke and wind back down the chimney rather than out of it is the most frustrating aspect of using them.
The reason for this is that the cap acts as a form of partial obstruction. On the one hand, this cuts down on the quantity of rain and snow that enters the chimney, but on the other hand, it restricts the amount of smoke that can escape.
Cowls for Chimneys
For homeowners who live in places that experience a lot of wind, a chimney cowl is generally seen to be an excellent alternative to a chimney cap. The cowl serves a function analogous to that of a chimney top. The most notable distinction is that the cowl may completely close up one side while leaving the other side uncovered. For instance, if the wind blows from a particular direction most of the time, you may position the cowl so that it blocks the flow of air from that side while still allowing smoke to escape from the other side.
Chimney cowls are a typical sight in industrial settings because firms employ them to prevent harmful chemical fumes from entering the plant through the chimney. If you make the decision that you would rather have a chimney cowl instead of a cap, you will most likely have to search through some industrial possibilities before you discover one that is more appropriate for a home or that looks better on a home.
Dampers for Chimneys
If you really want to go the additional mile and protect your chimney from precipitation, you might think about purchasing a damper in addition to a chimney cover or cowl. Both of these options are effective. In regions that receive a significant amount of snowfall, chimney dampers have become an increasingly common appliance. Dampers are often a bit more long-lasting than the chimney tops discussed previously, and the fact that they are adjustable is something that a lot of property owners really enjoy. The heavy-duty design, which is often built out of some kind of metal, is able to handle the greater weights of snowfall in comparison to the weight of rain, and as a result, does an excellent job of preventing moisture from entering your property.
Dampers on chimneys are adjustable, and they typically consist of a trap door or gate that may be opened to a variety of different angles or totally shut off. Some people like to keep the damper closed until it is actually time to start burning wood. That is perfectly OK to do as long as you don’t forget to open the damper before you begin burning gasoline. If you don’t do this right away, the air inside your home is going to get highly smokey.
In support of knowing these essential information, it is for the best that you also have a company you can count on to help you with Chimney Cleaning Pittsburg and repairing like Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning.