How a Chimney Cap Protects Your Chimney
It’s December. And whether you’ve had heavy snow yet or not, it’s time to batten down the hatches and prepare your home for the possible onslaught ahead. One often-overlooked winter preparation is installing a chimney cap, and in this post, we tell you how it protects your chimney and give tips on how to guard it against winter’s wrath.
Keep the Elements Out
New Hampshire residents know how harsh winters get, ranging from hours of moderate snow to days-long blizzards. Without a chimney cap, your chimney becomes a vulnerable entryway for ice, water, and snow. Moisture is a chimney’s number one enemy, absorbing into the masonry materials and leading to structural decay over time. The cap is a barrier against the elements and can protect your chimney from costly damage.
Keep Out Unwanted Guests
Chimneys are an attractive nesting spot for birds and other critters, especially during winter when they seek a warm place to sleep. Without a cap, these creatures can get in, build nests, or die, causing blockages and a potential fire hazard. Installing a cap makes your chimney off-limits to unwanted pests, keeping them out of your home.
Fire Prevention
Many people enjoy the warmth and atmosphere of a roaring fire during winter. However, there’s a danger of sparks and embers escaping the chimney and landing on the roof, which can lead to a fire. Most chimney caps have a mesh screen to prevent sparks and embers from escaping, potentially igniting leaves or flammable materials like shingles.
Minimize Drafts
In the dead of winter, drafts can make your home feel colder and less comfortable and force your furnace or heater to work overtime to keep you warm, driving up energy costs. An open chimney allows cold air to come into your home, but a chimney cap and properly functioning damper minimize drafts, keeping your home warmer and more energy efficient.
Extends Chimney Lifespan
We talked earlier about the effects of moisture on a chimney. Once water seeps in, cracks form and worsen over time. Moreover, water can lead to brick spalling and damaged mortar joints. The longer this deterioration goes on, the more expensive the repairs get. And it’s not only your chimney that’s at risk because leaks can cause wood rot and damage the flue liner. All this wear and tear over the years can cause chimney damage or require a total rebuild. The average cost of tuckpointing or spalling repair ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. And the average cost to rebuild a chimney is between $8,000 and $10,000. Installing a cap goes a long way to prevent moisture damage, extend your chimney’s lifespan, and help you avoid costly repairs.
More Tips to Prevent Winter Damage
Installing a chimney cap is a cost-effective way to prevent damage, but there are other things you should do to ensure your chimney and fireplace operate safely and last as long as possible.
Schedule Regular Inspections
Schedule a yearly inspection by a certified chimney sweep before winter arrives. A professional can identify existing issues like cracks, creosote buildup, or loose bricks and fix them before they become dangerous.
Clean the Chimney
Besides an inspection, you should also schedule a chimney cleaning at least once a year to remove harmful creosote, increasing your risk of a fire. Like inspections, hire a professional chimney sweep to handle this because they have the proper training and tools to do the job thoroughly.
Waterproof the Chimney
Putting a waterproofing product on your chimney is an excellent way to prevent water damage and the harsh effects of winter. Waterproofing is relatively inexpensive compared to chimney repairs, and today’s products last for years before needing to be reapplied.
Hire Fire N’ Stone
Fire N’ Stone has been the go-to chimney and fireplace contractor in the New Hampshire area since 1999. We offer a full range of services, including chimney sweeping, inspections, rebuilding, repairs, maintenance, custom stonework, and more.
Call us today at 603-293-4040 to book!