Wisconsin is home to some of the coldest cities in the US, with Milwaukee being one of them.
Using your fireplace is one of the surest ways to warm up your home during the harsh winters. But even if you’ve done everything on the inside of your home to keep it safe when running a fire, don’t forget about the top of your chimney. It’s always a good idea to put a cap on it.
Let’s take a quick look at how chimney caps improve the safety of your fireplace or furnace.
1. BLOCK ANIMALS FROM ENTERING YOUR HOME
Chimney Caps Keep Your Milwaukee Home Safe Without a cap on your chimney, small critters like squirrels, opossums, raccoons, bats, and birds can easily find their way in. While it’s annoying enough for them to run or fly around your home, they have a tendency to cause other problems too. For example, animal droppings and carcasses leave a foul stench and attract maggots.
2. REDUCE THE RISK OF A FIRE
A cozy fire can send embers into the air. When these embers make their way up the flue of an uncovered chimney, they can escape through the top, land on the roof, and set it ablaze. Although it’s uncommon, they can even ignite piles of dry leaves in the yard.
The mesh cage found on chimney caps deflects the embers traveling up the chimney. Once the sparks hit the mesh, they fall back down, keeping both your roof and yard safe.
3. STOP DEBRIS FROM BUILDING UP
Near the end of the year, it’s common to see leaves or litter flying around in the wind. This debris, along with twigs, can fall into the opening of your chimney. As a result, you may end up with a pile of debris in your flue, which creates a fire hazard. But, just as chimney caps stop embers from exiting your chimney, they also prevent debris from getting in.
4. KEEP THE RAIN OUT
Over time, moisture from rain and snow can deteriorate the flue liner in an uncovered chimney. Also, it promotes the growth of mold and mildew in your home, and it reduces the efficiency of your chimney.
Chimney rain caps increase the lifespan of your flue liner. They direct water away from your flue, saving you hundreds of dollars in repair costs down the line.
5. HELP YOU AVOID DRAFT ISSUES
When high winds hit southeastern Wisconsin, they can cause a downdraft in the flue. If this happens while you’re using your fireplace, smoke may get blown back into your home. This results in a health hazard. Putting a properly-sized cap on your chimney eliminates this issue. Plus, by preventing frigid air from entering, your chimney works more efficiently too.
6. PREVENT BLOCKAGES IN YOUR CHIMNEY
Squirrels and birds can clog up your chimney by building nests. Much like with a draft, a significant blockage can push toxic fumes into your living room. But by covering your chimney with a cap, you can ensure that the smoke has a clear path to exit your home.
INSTALLING CHIMNEY CAPS ON YOUR HOME
Be careful when measuring your chimney to make sure you get a perfect fit. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing on your roof and going through the process, let a professional take care of it for you. Also, make sure to choose the right type of cap for your chimney. While galvanized caps are cheaper, they don’t last as long stainless steel caps.
Are you interested in getting a stainless steel chimney cap for your home? Contact us today to get a free estimate for a professional installation.
