Chimney cap installation and repair
A chimney cap is the covered metal hood that sits over the flue opening. It does several jobs at once:
- Keeps rain out of the flue, where water can damage the liner, damper and firebox
- Keeps animals out. Birds, squirrels and raccoons all like an open chimney
- Keeps debris out. Leaves and twigs can block the flue
- Helps with downdrafts in windy conditions
We replace rusted, bent or missing caps and fit new ones sized to your flue. Single-flue and multi-flue caps are both available, in durable materials such as stainless steel.
Chimney crown repair
The crown is the slab of concrete or mortar that covers the top of a masonry chimney around the flue. It's meant to shed water away from the brick. When it cracks, water soaks into the chimney, and repeated wet and dry cycles break down the masonry from the top down.
Depending on its condition, we will:
- Seal hairline cracks with a flexible crown sealant
- Repair larger cracks and damaged sections
- Rebuild a crown that's crumbling or was built incorrectly (for example, too thin or flat, with no overhang to drip water clear of the brick)
Spark arrestor installation
A spark arrestor is a mesh screen, usually built into the chimney cap, that helps stop embers from leaving the chimney and landing on your roof, gutters or nearby plants. In a region with dry summers and falls, that's worthwhile protection for any home with a wood-burning fireplace or stove.
Local rules on spark arrestors vary by city, county and fire hazard zone. If you're unsure what applies to your home, check with your local fire department or building department, and we're happy to install a compliant arrestor either way.
We also check existing arrestors, because the mesh can clog with creosote and soot, restricting the draft.
Signs the top of your chimney needs attention
- No cap at all, or a cap that's rusted, loose or bent
- Visible cracks in the crown
- Water in the firebox, or a rusty damper
- Sounds of birds or animals in the chimney
- Crumbling bricks near the top of the chimney
- A spark arrestor screen that's torn, missing or visibly clogged