Although it may not be a legal requirement for you to have a chimney cap, chimney specialists, contractors, inspectors, and even insurance companies, HIGHLY SUGGEST you have a cap installed atop your chimney. Chimney caps serve many purposes, but they can be summed up in two small, yet extremely noteworthy functions: SAFETY & DAMAGE PREVENTION. In more detail, it is important to have a chimney cap because of the following:

• Sparks – Wood-burning fireplaces often release tiny embers (debris on fire), which are forced upwards, by the heat and gases from a lit fire. Chimney caps help prevent these embers from escaping your chimney and causing a fire or other damage.
• Water – Chimney caps prevent water from getting into the chimney and your home. Any form of water (rain or snow) can damage your chimney or home, as well as cause more ‘soot’ to build-up within the chimney.
• Debris – Build-up of dirt, leaves, and other debris, from the outside is largely thwarted by a chimney cap, which is extremely dangerous.
• Animal Blockage – The chimney is the perfect home for Mother Nature’s littlest babies, animals. Chimney caps prevent many animals from making your chimney their home, which is not only a pesky nuisance, but it can be dangerous.
• Ventilation – Chimney caps allow for proper ventilation, without permitting large gust of winds to enter the chimney and cause a hazardous disruption to your fire/fireplace.
• Energy – Reducing the exchange of airflow (both cold and heat) by installing a chimney cap, keeps the home at a better temperature than an open chimney. This saves energy and therefore, money.

Cap Installation
Having a chimney cap installed for the first time or as a replacement is a quick and relatively cheap process. Alliance Chimney can install a new cap within an hour or two and with little to no mess. It is important, however, to have a professional install the cap, in order to ensure it is done so correctly and works properly, therefore deeming it SAFE!

Cap Maintenance/Repair
As with anything on your home or building, it is important to have any and all damages repaired, as quickly as possible, in order to prevent dangerous occurrences and additional damage. Oftentimes, damages are identified during the suggested (if not mandatory) annual inspection.

Alliance Chimney will be happy to inspect your chimney to ensure everything is safe and in good working condition. Should your chimney need a small repair, it is probable that one of our specialists can repair it right on the spot. If not, we will be back within the next day or two so your chimney, home, and family are safe.