A chimney cap is an integral part of the chimney and has numerous benefits too. Most homeowners think that keeping the flues clean is enough, and neglect the chimney cap all together. This is a big mistake, as the chimney cap maintenance at the right time is of great importance. While installing a chimney cap in itself is a relatively simple task, the important aspect of care and repair is often overlooked. Here are some common pitfalls encountered while putting up a chimney cap, which if corrected can lead to less mistakes.
chimney
Wear safety gloves
The sheet metal, which goes into the making of chimney caps, has sharp edges in places. It is therefore important to protect your hands from getting injured by donning good quality safety gloves.
Proper inspection
The chimney cap is placed over the chimney crown. The crown, as it is usually made of concrete, is prone to crumbling and cracking with passage of time. The crown should be repaired first, as placing a chimney cap over a damaged crown, will only hasten the process of deterioration. In case the crown is of metal,as in a framed chimney, look for signs of rust and holes. It is better to replace these covers after a couple of years.
Correct measurements
Care must be taken to have the exact size of the chimney cap, by measuring the cap by paying attention to all minute details.
Selecting the right chimney
Chimney caps are made of various products. Stainless steel, galvanised steel and copper chimney caps are all in vogue. The best value for money are the stainless steel caps since they carry a lifetime warranty. Galvanised caps, are much cheaper, but do not last more than a couple of years. The most expensive are the copper caps. These are primarily used to enhance the beauty of the building.
Selection of materials
It is extremely important that the materials which are supplied with the chimney cap are used. Using substitutes, like different screws, can lead to water entering the chimney through gaps in the holes made by drilling the substitute screws.
Install a top damper
The damper is normally placed below the chimney cap. They are attached with a cable wire that hangs down till the hearth, thereby, allowing for easy opening and closing of the chimney, when not in use. The chimney height should be made a bit longer by at least five inches to allow enough space for the top damper to be installed.
Draft problems
The chimney cap should be designed to offer easy passage for air flow to prevent smoke build up in the fire place, especially on windy days. A professionally installed chimney cap can be a source of sound sleep and no worries. Go for a specially designed cap that pays attention to all these problems.
Screen size
The screen size should neither be too small, as it may get clogged easily, or too large to prevent outside creatures from entering your home. A proper size will make a large affect on the heating system as a whole.
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