The opening at the top of your chimney is the place where smoke and combustion gases safely leave your home when you’re using your fireplace. That opening is also the place where a lot of very serious problems can start.
No chimney should ever be left open to the outside world. There are several ways to accomplish this, the simplest being a quality flue cover.
National Chimney Service installs chimney covers throughout Greenwich CT, Rockaway NJ, Bridgeport CT, Jefferson NJ, and other communities in Fairfield and Morris counties.
Here’s what a sturdy flue cover will do for your chimney.
Flue Covers Keep out the Rain & SnowDesigned to look like a little hat at the top of your chimney, flue covers create a solid barrier against incoming rain and snow. Water that’s allowed to get into the flue can lead to all kinds of damage including chimney liner deterioration and eventually the decay of interior masonry and damage to home building materials near the chimney structure.
In addition to damage, internal moisture can create an outbreak of harmful mold – which you can’t see and might not even know about until the problem becomes a health risk.
Less of a concern but still bothersome are the foul, musty odors created when water mixes with creosote and soot inside the dark, poorly ventilated flue. These odors can easily move right into your home and make life quite unpleasant.
A good flue cover prevents all this.
Another problem with an uncapped or uncovered flue is small animals such as squirrels, birds, raccoons, rodents and others. These critters often seek shelter from the weather in open chimney flues. Many of them use their new home as birthing grounds for their young. Occasionally, some of the animals die inside the chimney, unable to escape.
Along with animal invasion, open chimneys are subject to invasion from debris that includes leaves, twigs and falling fruit from nearby trees.
All these materials can lead to a serious draft blockage when you’re using your fireplace. Solving the problem usually requires the services of a professional chimney sweep, who can safely remove all kinds of flue debris.
Better to install a flue cover and not have to worry about it.
Flue Cover & Chimney Cap InstallationThe National Chimney Service crew installs a lot of top-quality flue covers throughout Morris County New Jersey and Fairfield County Connecticut. We’ll start by inspecting your chimney and, if necessary, properly cleaning the flue. Flue covers are sized to work on any standard masonry chimney.
These components will do a fantastic job in keeping water, living creatures and debris from entering your flue and causing damage and malfunction. For secure protection of the entire top of your chimney, you might consider installing a full-width custom chimney cap, which protects both the entire chimney crown in addition to the chimney flue.
We’ve been in business in Connecticut and New Jersey for more than 20 years and are licensed and fully insured for your protection. Give us a call at (973) 270-9295 in Morris NJ or at (203) 614-9765 in Fairfield CT and speak with a chimney expert about the best ways to protect your chimney and your home.
