Chimney Caps – Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Them

Most cap manufacturers available out there will usually claim that it is very important for people to use chimney caps. Well, while this can be true to some degrees, there are also other things that chimney owners should take into consideration. Using chimney caps may not only be advantageous but also disadvantageous at the same time. With that being said, people may have to think twice prior to making up their mind to buy a cap that may well fit their chimney. So, let’s start with the advantages first.

Using chimney caps, it is often true that people will be able to keep such animals as birds or raccoons away so that they don’t set up home in the fireplace or chimney. This is crucial as the animals can be very troublesome when they block the path of the fireplace or chimney.

In addition to the first advantage, chimney caps may as well prevent moisture and rain from stacking up within the chimney. As a result, the owner of the chimney is not quite likely to come across smelly chimney that often becomes the case of a house with chimney, especially during the warmer months.

Chimney caps can also shed rain and ice from the chimney crown resulting in longer crown life and, in some cases, gets rid of the flue tile cracks. The chimney crown is chimney top that is usually made of the cement material. Last but not least, another advantage chimney caps can offer is increased draft of the chimney, particularly at the constantly windy areas.

The disadvantage that chimney caps may cause is draft restriction, to start with. This is often due to improperly installed or designed cap. Cap screen clogging is quite common to take place as well. There are some chimney caps out there that feature small screening and they are pretty vulnerable to clogging of creosote and soot when used heavily. As a result, the draft of the chimney may be reduced and the fireplace or stove will perform pretty poorly.

Chimney exterior discoloration is the next disadvantage people often encounter using chimney caps. This is often due to the buildup of tar and creosote on the cap. Unfortunately, this buildup will usually get to the outside of the chimney structure which has the potential of discoloring the brick or stucco of the chimney. However, this usually happens just with the use of the unseasoned/green wood or older woodstoves.

Last but not least, when there are high winds, chimney caps often blow off. The caps are often destroyed in such cases. Yet, even if they are not entirely destroyed, they will usually need another trip on their top so as to make reinstallation or replacement possible.