All parts of the chimney system are vital in helping it work properly and safely. However, some parts are often overlooked because they’re hidden from sight. In order to notice if the chimney cap is damaged or missing, a homeowner would have to check on it periodically by looking up, so doing so will make sure it’s still in good shape. Consequently, a faulty chimney cap can lead to devastating water damage and animal intrusion!
When the weather turns cold, animals search for the perfect warm place to nest for the winter. Unfortunately, some animals like birds, raccoons, and squirrels may choose your chimney as their home for the cold months. Many animals see chimneys as big, hollow trees that make a perfect spot for nesting. If your chimney is open, raccoons and squirrels can easily climb down your chimney flue and make a nest for a birthing spot. Similarly, birds can fly right inside your chimney to nest as well. Animals can be quite a nuisance, causing problems such as follows.
– Debris. When an animal leaves the chimney system, they often leave behind nesting materials, food stores, and fur or feathers. All of these are flammable and do not belong in the chimney system.
– Damage to the flue. Animals also have to use their claws to climb out of the chimney. This leaves behind scratches that can cause weaknesses in the flue. These scratches collect more creosote and soot, as well. All of this can quicken the deterioration, and result in holes in the lining system.
– Foul Odors. Animals often enter the chimney system through the year, but sometimes they get stuck! They can suffocate and die, unable to escape. In this case, the animal carcass can cause a blockage, resulting in a smoky fireplace or flue fire. This causes the foul odors of decomposition that can run you out of house and home.
A Chimney Caps
Chimney caps are the best protection you have against animals from entering your chimney. Chimney caps are made from stainless steel, copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel in a variety of styles, a chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney. Stainless steel is the recommended material for its durability. Long recognized as an essential part of your chimney to prevent hazards and damages, chimney caps are so important that Underwriters Laboratories requires them to be part of any chimney lining system in order to be listed to their test standard.
There are certain requirements in the chimney cap in order to keep birds, raccoons, squirrels, and other animals from invading the chimney. The first requirement is the chimney cap should feature mesh screening on its sides. In addition to that, the holes in the mesh should be small enough to keep out animals. Most models of chimney caps are equipped with mesh screening.
If you wondering what kind of damage to the chimney due to the animals, here is the explanation. Sometimes animals can become confused and feel trapped within the chimney. When this happens, the animals can try to escape from the bottom of the chimney rather than the top. This can cause damage to the damper as well as to furniture, flooring, curtains, and other household items if they get through to the inside of the house. Animals also present fire hazards as their nesting is highly flammable. These nests can also block the chimney’s flue and trap smoke and gases inside your home. Furthermore, these animals can bring diseases like rabies and parasites such as lice and fleas into your house.
By having chimney caps, you will have more benefits other than preventing the animal. One of the best ways to prevent water penetration of your chimney, a chimney cap keeps the water from rain and snow out of the flue of your chimney, which will protect you from suffering expensive water leak damage. Chimney caps also serve as spark arrestors, which prevents sparks from flying out of the chimney and possibly starting fires.