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If your home has a chimney then youll need a cap if it doesnt have one already. Looking for retractable awnings? The most common materials that chimney caps are made from are: galvanized steel, copper, or stainless steel. There's a lot to consider when choosing a chimney cap, but that doesn't mean that it has to be a stressful task. Creosote is buildup caused by wood smoke and is not only deposited on the flue lining, it can also clog the mesh. Also, most draft-increasing chimney caps are designed to fit factory-built metal chimneys. The hope is that by keeping sparks that are larger than half-an-inch from leaving the chimney, you'll be able to reduce the risk of wildfires. Both models provide excellent weather and animal protection, and one variety doesn't provide better updraft than the other. If you've got an oval or round flue you'll have to buy your damper and cap separately. It is best to choose a chimney cap with the mesh siding to prevent critter from entering your chimney. It makes a great deal of sense to install a chimney cap, when you look at the benefits. Also, any lengthy run of exposed air-cooled chimney above the roof could cause the topmost portion of the chimney (and cap) to cake with creosote, but there are many potential causes. You can use either a standard flue cap with brackets or a model designed for multiple flues. * Barbecues & charcoal smokers, Vacu Stack Anti Downdraft Cap (4): ICPVSS-4, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap (5): ICPVSS-5, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap (6): ICPVSS-6, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap (8): ICPVSS-8, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap with Rain Seal (6): ICPVSS-6RS, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap with Rain Seal (7): ICPVSS-07RS, Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Cap with Rain Seal (8): ICPVSS-8RS, There are no moving parts to bind or malfunction, The optional rain seal will help protect the top insulation of an insulated chimney. Multi-flue chimneys are exactly what their name implies; they are chimneys that feature more than one flue. Double-Wall Solid-Pack Insulated Metal Chimneys. For this style, youd need a chimney cap designed to fit a double-wall pipe. Because they're built with an emphasis on cost-efficiency, they're quite limited in terms of style. High quality austenitic stainless steel, T-304, guarantees superior durability for long service life. This is partially due to them weighing less and softer in nature, making it much easier for wind and extreme weather to disturb their mountings. The flues for your upstairs and downstairs fireplaces are adjacent to one another and smoke comes out of the fireplace on the lower floor when you have a fire in the one upstairs.This is caused by the negative pressures inside your house. What May be Hidden or Stuck in Your Chimney? For an oil burning appliance you should use stainless steel. Most oil contains some sulfur which creates acid and deteriorates aluminum and galvanized steel chimney caps quickly. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). Most sizes are in stock and area ready to ship. Opening and closing the damper is as simple as changing the position of the lever. I recommend contacting a chimney sweep in your area. National Fire Prevention Week 2013: Prevent Kitchen Fires, Why Your Chimney Leaks: Common Causes of Chimney Problems, Labor Day Signals Its Time for Your Annual Chimney Inspection, Why and How to Minimize Creosote Buildup in your Chimney, The Origin of Smart Heating Systems: Pellet Stoves, Dont Blow Smoke: Milestones in the Evolution of the Chimney, Zero-Clearance Fireplaces and Why They are Good Options, 3 Mistakes Homeowners Make regarding Fireplace Safety, Preventative Maintenance Cuts Chimney Repair Costs, Top 3 Reasons to Budget for a Chimney Inspection, 7 Benefits of Having a Fireplace in Your Home, A Common Cause of a Chimney Leak: Flashing, Famous Fireplaces and Fireplaces of the Famed, Professional Tools Used by Chimney Sweeps, Your Choice of Firewood Can Save Entire Ecosystems, Tuckpointing: Repairing Damaged Mortar Joints, Why Annual Inspections are Needed for Gas Fireplaces, 6 Signs That Your Chimney Needs to Be Repaired, Tips for Preventing Deadly Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. professional cleaning by one of our licensed, certified chimney sweeps, Hi-Tech Style with Regency Fireplace Products, Its Time to Consider a Wood Burning Stove, Reasons Chimneys or Fireplaces Look Unsightly, Smoke Alarms & National Fire Prevention Week, The Father of the Fireplace Insert Ben Franklin, Tips for Achieving Responsible Wood-Burning, Common Problems with Gas Fireplaces Part 2, Safety Issues with Chimneys in Old Houses, Three Types of Convenient Gas Burning Products to Consider, Common Problems with Gas Fireplaces Part 1, Two Little Known Causes of House Fires: Batteries and Pyrolysis, Problems with Wood Burning Stoves: Causes and Solutions, Tips for Maintaining your Chimney Cap Screen, 5 Benefits to Adding a Glass Door to your Fireplace, Comparing Pellet Stoves with Wood-Burning Stoves, Hire a Chimney Sweep before Selling your Home, Tips to Prepare your Home for Winter Part 2, Tips to Prepare your Home for Winter Part 1. A copper cap can easily cost almost four times as much as a comparable galvanized steel model and twice as much as a stainless steel one. Caps with 3/4" mesh cannot meet this standard, so people living in locations with these laws needed an alternative, hence the 5/8" mesh chimney cap. 4" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap, 5" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap, 6" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap, 6" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap w/rainseal, 7" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap w/rainseal, 8" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap, 8" Anti-Downdraft Liner Cap w/rainseal, Your email address will not be published. Your options are just going to be limited to those varieties that can be mounted directly to your chimney's crown. Each type of double-wall solid-pack insulated pipe requires its own specific kind of chimney cap. During your annual chimney inspection your professional chimney sweep can check the cap to make sure it is properly cleaned and safe to use. Ribbed construction provides extra strength and reinforcement. Regardless of which type you want, you'll need to measure the length and width of your chimney's opening. The answer has to do with fire safety and building codes. After high winds, debris and leaves can clog a chimney cap. Whenever you use your fireplace, you create a lot of sparks. They're particularly popular for venting wood-burning stoves. The optional mesh screen will limit the chance of birds, animals, leaves, and other unwanted debris from plugging up your chimney. Once you understand what your options are and how to determine your needs, you'll find that the selection process is actually fairly simple. This can cause downdrafts, a serious problem where the smoke from your fire is blown back down your chimney. Then there are chimneys that dont fall into either category that are specially constructed. Most are simply painted black and feature very basic, utilitarian designs. What Degree of Creosote is in Your Chimney? There are, however, several other types of chimney caps. Discoloration of the chimney and roof in the surrounding brick or stucco could also occur, if there is an accumulation of creosote or soot in the mesh. Some homeowners also find the appearance of galvanized steel chimney caps to be somewhat lacking. Like aluminum models, stainless steel chimney caps are usually more attractive than galvanized steel caps. They require top-mounted chimney caps regardless of whether their flues are extended or not. The most basic reason for this has to do with fire safety. Then, you can search for a cap designed to accommodate your chimney's dimensions. Galvanized steel isnt as durable as the other material choices, but theyre the most cost effective. Heres what having a chimney cap will do: Weve dedicated ourselves to making sure your home is safer and cleaner after weve completed every project. He is a Master Hearth Professional, which means he is certified in all three hearth appliance fields wood, gas and pellet. Whether you choose to maintain their original color or allow them to develop a natural green patina, these caps naturally enhance most brickwork and have an elegant look other chimney covers just can't provide. If your masonry chimney has a flexible metal liner, youll need to get a cap thats slip-on. Wire mesh on chimney caps are also spark deflectors, which can be extremely important in dry areas. A flue stretcher can help in this situation if raising the height of your flue a few feet will make it taller than the surrounding structures. Other animals are also known to access uncovered chimneys, such as raccoons, snakes, and squirrels. Too much water exposure can seep into the seams of the masonry, and before you know it, your chimney is crumbling apart. Once again, your chimney cap choices depend on the shape of your flue. Flue stretcher chimney caps allow you to raise the height of your masonry chimney's flue by one or two feet while protecting your home from the elements and animal invaders. Chimney caps are a small, but important, accessory for your chimney. For more information please click here. And, they require essentially no maintenance. They're among the most prevalent and come in square, rectangular, round, and oval varieties. Homeowners know that moisture is always a bad sign, especially in cold, damp places like the inside of your chimney. How to Hire a Chimney Sweep Dont Get Burned, Buyer Beware of Phone Chimney Sweep Offers. Traditional & Square Electric Fireplaces/Inserts, Electric Fireplace Media and Replacement Parts, Be the first to review Vacu Stack Anti-Downdraft Chimney Cap (ICPVSS ). Stainless steel is so corrosion resistant that it is almost rust-proof, and it is more than strong enough to withstand harsh weather. Talk about an expensive repair. Your chimney cap's installation manual will tell you what kind of sealant or adhesive you should look for. Blockages are incredibly dangerous and if your chimney cant channel air in and out, youre at risk for a chimney fire. For many people, the process of selecting a chimney cap starts with this question: do I really need a chimney cap? Caps with 5/8" mesh have become the industry standard for areas that require 1/2" spark arrestors. Exposed edges are hemmed for ease of installation. The small 1/4" mesh is not recommended for a screen on a wood burning appliance chimney. The smallest that the mesh can be is 5/8" with most screens having a 3/4" mesh. If you've got an active chimney, you should have a chimney cap. This can cause water to get inside the attic or house as it runs down the brickwork. Each is designed to address a specific chimney problem in addition to covering your flue opening. The following chart provides information about how to measure the most common chimneys for a standard chimney cap. 1-866-667-8454, Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales. If you have a metal chimney, exposure to moisture can create even more serious problems. It's still possible for you to get a chimney cap. Annual inspections are important, even for people who dont use their fireplaces frequently during the winter. Once you know what kind of flue you have and how you want to cap it, you're ready to start thinking about the size of the chimney cap. Reserved. Copper chimney caps are also extremely durable. Downdrafts can cause your home to fill with smoke. You might notice that you need something extra to prevent downdrafts. What is Chimney Relining, and Why is it Needed? Contact ustoday! This means that the mesh used on the chimney caps has to be small enough to prevent a half-inch sphere from passing through them. Such nests are dangerous because any kind of chimney obstruction can cause a smoke build-up inside your home, and the waste from these animals can harbor disease. In almost every situation, determining the size you need takes only a few quick measurements. They have corrosion-resistance properties similar to steel and are just as unlikely to rust. Soot is a black fine powder created during combustion. If you want a chimney cap with a crisp, clean look, stainless steel is probably the way to go. If you're interested in maintaining a copper cap's original color, you'll have to clean it regularly and continuously reapply protectant. Now that you understand why a chimney cap is a necessary investment, you're probably ready to make a purchase. The animals often get stuck; and they sometimes die, which creates an awful odor. Get started on your next chimney cleaning or other chimney related. Even if local laws don't mandate the use of a 1/2" spark arrestor, though, there are a few other situations where you might want to consider investing in one. Draft-increasing chimney caps rely on Bernoulli's principle to create stronger updrafts. Youve come to the right place. These products act as both a chimney cap and a draft inducer and feature adjustable electric fans that allow you to directly control your draft. * Service & replacement parts. When it comes to capping, it's important to make sure you select a cap designed to work with a single-wall metal pipe. Why Should You Trust Your Chimney to a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep? If youre not sure if your fireplace is safe to use, its probably time for an inspection. Some areas, particularly those in or near woodlands, have building codes that require all chimney caps to have 1/2" spark arrestors. Triple-Wall Solid-Pack Insulated Metal Chimneys. Stainless steel chimney caps are generally regarded as the best balance of performance and cost. Ideally, you would use a cap manufactured by the same company as your chimney. Just keep in mind that even if your situation resembles the ones described below, you won't be able to use this kind of cap if you have a round or oval flue; they're only available for square and rectangular chimneys. A chimney cap is a covering for the top of your chimney, and it usually includes wire mesh. I assume it would need to be larger for the smoke to escape - but how much larger? Below is some information about the chimney cap accessories you're most likely to come across. Outside-mount chimney caps fit over the crown and attach to the body of the chimney. This holds true even if you want to cover a masonry chimney and need an adaptor. Using downdraft solutions like flue stretchers, Vacu-Stack chimney caps, chimney fans and chimney draft inducers can help you eliminate smoke and excessive carbon monoxide gases in the home. By elevating your flue you can solve some of the most common smoky fireplace problems. Child Chimney Sweeps: A True and Shocking Tale, Its That Time for All Fireplace Owners to Ensure that Chimneys are Clean, National Fire Prevention Week 2012 is October 7-13, Chimney Liner: A Home Improvement to Smile About, Pellet Stoves 101 Part 3 of 3 (Environmental Advantages), Pellet Stoves 101 Part 2 (Installation and Operation), Pellet Stoves 101 Part 1 (About the Pellets), Real Fires Give Lessons in Fireplace Safety. Flexible liners are softer, so a standard cap wont fit over the opening. These function the same way as double-wall air-insulated pipes do, they just have three walls instead of two. That information is important because the kind of flue you have determines the kind of chimney caps you can use as well as the measurements you'll need to take in order to ensure your cap will fit properly. Most models are backed up by a lifetime warranty. Because of their design, metal liners can only be covered with slip-in chimney caps. When mesh netting is installed with the cap, animals are prevented from entering the chimney. The most obvious reason to use a chimney cap with 5/8" mesh is that your local building codes require it. Outside-mount caps also provide some of the best weather protection because they cover the entire top of the chimney. Single-wall metal chimneys will take chimney caps that attach to inside the flue liner or ones that fasten to the exterior. Standard chimney caps, with their economical weather and animal protection, are by far the most common. If you're not sure what the codes are in your area, the easiest way to find out is by contacting your town's municipal department. Chimney caps are not, however, only important because of what they keep in but also what they keep out. They possess better corrosion resistance than caps made of galvanized steel but are significantly less sturdy. Approaching his 10-year work anniversary, Collin is one of our National Fireplace Institute (NFI) certified technicians and content manager for the eFireplacestore, eCanopy, andEliteDeals brands. Many people with historic houses prefer them because of their classic appearance. Similarly, a triple-wall metal chimney pipe requires one specifically built for that style. When getting this kind of chimney cap you'll need to measure the length of each of your chimney's exterior walls and the height of your tallest flue. But, if after scaling the homeowner's equivalent of Mt. A model with a 3/4" mesh has larger openings than one with a 5/8" screen. Especially in windy areas, a chimney cap can be extremely beneficial in helping to make the home more energy efficient. Water can even soak into the bricks themselves, resulting in cracking as the water freezes and expands. Stainless steel caps are a mid-range option with improved quality and durability. If your cap requires screws, they're typically included with your purchase. Copper chimney caps are much more expensive than ones made with other materials. Caps with 5/8" mesh generally don't cost that much more than comparably-sized 3/4" models, and the additional protection they offer is well worth the extra money. These chimneys will need a top-mounted chimney cap, no matter if the flues are extended beyond the crown of the chimney or not. As the smoke is exiting the flue connected to your fireplace on the upper level of your home, the flue from the one on the lower floor is automatically pulling it back in.Adding a flue stretcher to the flue from the upstairs fireplace can eliminate this problem because it creates more space between the two flues and makes it more likely that the smoke from the upstairs fireplace will be able to escape the draw of the downstairs flue.