Chimney Care Company's Blog
The Importance of the Chimney Chase Cover
Chase covers fit over the top, outer opening of your chimney. These covers are designed to keep precipitation, debris and animals out of your chimney and are custom made to fit your specific application; it’s similar to the lid on a shoebox. Buying a chase cover is extremely important and absolutely necessary to the life and maintenance of your chimney and your home. Because of its job function, a chase cover is more than an option; it’s a necessity!
Material Options for Every Budget…
Everyone loves knowing that they have options. For those of you in the market for a new chase cover, you’ve got options, too. Chase cover materials run the gamut and can accommodate all budgets: galvanized steel, aluminum, copper and stainless steel. Galvanized steel covers are the least expensive; unfortunately, they rust quickly and need to be replaced within a few years. Aluminum covers don’t have the same rusting issues as their galvanized counterparts, however they’re not typically used for this function simply because the metal is too soft.
Copper is, by far, the highest quality choice and is accompanied by the largest price tag as well; if you’re in the market for that type of look (and can afford the additional cost associated with it), you can’t go wrong with copper. Stainless steel is the strongest of the four materials. It costs a bit more up front than galvanized steel, however, the mere fact that it won’t rust and should never need to be replaced again more than makes up for the increased initial investment.
Never Trust the Rust…
Many homeowners do not notice that their chase cover has begun to rust. This is because it’s all the way up on top of the chimney, which isn’t exactly the easiest place to see. Sometimes it’s easier to spot a rusted chase cover after it has rained. This is due to the fact that when the water runs off of the chimney cap and down the sides of your chimney, it carries the rust down the sides with it, leaving stains and discoloration.
It is your responsibility as a homeowner to have this problem repaired as quickly as possible to prevent more significant damage from occurring to the chimney system. If rust damage isn’t repaired, the middle of the cover may begin to sink in, which will lead to an accumulation of water, leaves, and other debris. This buildup puts more stress on your already damaged cover and could cause it to cave in completely, thereby exposing the inner workings of your chimney system to the elements.
If you’re in the market for a chase cover for your chimney — either as a replacement for a damaged cover or as an enhancement for your chimney — contact the professionals at Chimney Care Company. Our professional technicians will inspect your entire chimney system and, if necessary, will properly fit a chase cover to your chimney’s exact dimensions to ensure that it is properly sealed from the elements. Your home is an investment, and we want to help you protect it. No matter what your chimney or vent needs, contact us today. We look forward to serving you!
4 Reasons Why You Need a Chimney Cap
A chimney cap can protect and preserve your chimney for years to come. It’s a must-have for your chimney.
Look up. Do you see a cap atop that chimney of yours? If not, here’s why you need to fix that A.S.A.P.:
- To keep ice and water out. Without a cap, a masonry chimney will take on—and even absorb—a great deal of water, which is damaging not only to the chimney itself but to all components of the chimney and the areas around your chimney—your walls, floors, and ceilings. A wet chimney will also be a stinky chimney. Read more about why chimneys and water don’t mix here.
- To keep animals and insects out. Unless you love the incessant sounds of skittering and tweeting, infestations of insects and vermin, and the smells of dead animals, you will want a chimney cap to keep all living creatures out of your chimney. Animals, of course, make nests, too, which can impede the flow of air through your chimney, causing drafting problems, and become a fire hazard.
- To keep debris and trash out. Chimneys are known to become receptacles for whatever the wind carries—be it leaves and branches, trash, golf balls, etc.; you name it, we’ve found it there. These things might seem inconsequential, but they can cause blockages in your chimney that lead to fire, smoke damage, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- To keep sparks and embers in. Chimney caps are equipped with wire mesh that won’t allow sparks and large burning embers to pass through, though toxic gases and smoke will be able to exit freely. You will want to keep sparks and embers inside your chimney so that they don’t catch anything adjacent to your chimney on fire.
New Chimney Caps and Chimney Cap Repairs
If you already have your masonry chimney capped, but have a cap that’s seen better days, we may be able to repair your existing cap. And if you do end up needing a new cap, we can make sure you have the correct replacement cap and that it is properly installed so that you’ll never have to worry about water getting into your chimney again.
If you have a prefabricated fireplace, your chimney cap is called a “chase top.” It’s important to know that not just any chase cover will do. Manufactured chimneys must have the proper manufacturer-specified chimney cap. The Chimney Care Co., which serves homeowners in Cincinnati, Southwest Ohio, and Northern Kentucky, can locate the correct chase cover or chimney cap for your chimney.
Prolong Chimney Life by Waterproofing
Many of us are guilty of the fact that we only pay attention to things inside the home once they start creating problems. Take your chimney for example, it seems as if it will last forever. But once it creates problems like leaks and such, you tend to pay close attention to it because the effects can be crucial both to your pocket and to your home.
Water is your chimney’s enemy. Make sure it doesn’t make its way in there.
What most of us don’t realize is that our chimneys go through severe weather changes throughout the year. That’s why they are very prone to chimney leaks and eventually deterioration of their infrastructure. We owe it to ourselves to give enough attention to the chimney so that we can avoid the hassle of repairing major damage. You will be able to save a great deal of money and protect your chimney.
Water and Your Chimney
Water is the number one enemy of chimneys. The moisture can help mold to breed in the tiny spaces between chimney bricks and produce harmful toxins that will threaten your health. Furthermore, it destroys the structure of the chimney over time. So if you really want to extend the life of your chimney and to somehow help in reducing the costs long-term, waterproofing your chimney becomes mandatory. Waterproofing your chimney means that every measure is taken to make sure that water will have no entry point into any part of your chimney.
Installing a Chimney Cap is Important in Waterproofing your Chimney
By installing a chimney cap, you are already hitting two birds: helping your chimney live longer and preventing leaves and bird nests to enter the chimney and cause further damage. It has two goals and benefits to give:
- To protect your chimney from water and other things that might block it
- To beautify the roof even more. (Having something put on your chimney opening is pleasing to the eyes.)
To attain the maximum efficiency of your fireplace and chimney consider contacting a chimney sweep duly licensed by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. You can also check with the National Fireplace Institute because without a licensed professional in the field, the process might take more time than usual and more money as well. Our company, Chimney Care Co., has the best licensed professionals to take care of your chimney. Our years of experience will guarantee a fully-functional, well-maintained chimney. Nothing beats excellent service and outstanding people to do all these for you.