We Install Quality Chimney Caps & Animal Guards Near You in Greenville, SC
It goes without saying that you want all of the visitors in your home to be ones that were invited in, and that includes animals. But when your chimney’s flue isn’t topped with a chimney cap, animals of various kinds can take that as an open invitation to move into your chimney and possibly venture into your home. The most efficient way to prevent animal intruders is to have a chimney cap or animal guard installed by Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps. For chimney cap installation near you, trust us.
Before – Chimney with deteriorated crown and single flue cap
After – Chimney with Stainless Steel full coverage cap
Can Chimney Caps Keep Animals Out of My Chimney Flue?
Birds, squirrels, raccoons, bats, and even snakes have been known to enter homes through a chimney that doesn’t have a chimney cap or an animal guard protecting it. It makes sense: Your chimney is a tall structure that can offer protection to nesting animals. Unfortunately, although adult birds and animals can often leave your chimney as easily as they came into it, their babies aren’t as capable. If they can’t exit by climbing up or flying out, their natural reaction is to try, which could bring them into your home, causing considerable damage along the way as they frantically try to escape. If they don’t make it out of your chimney at all, they can die, causing an array of other problems, including odors, maggots, and flies.
Wild animals that come into your chimney can bring annoying noises and unwanted smells, nesting materials that can block your flue, fleas, lice and other insects. Rabies and other diseases can put you and your family at risk. Raccoons, in particular, are known for being vicious, and can make their way into your home through your fireplace opening. Removing animals isn’t easy, and with certain animals, it can be particularly complicated. Chimney swifts are federally protected birds that love to nest in chimneys, and, by law, they cannot be forcibly removed. Bats are another protected species. If these animals make their way into your chimney, you’ll have to wait for them to leave on their own or use a wildlife rescue company with special licensing to get them removed.
Call Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps if you find that birds or bats are living in your chimney. After they’ve left, we can clean everything out, check for damages and install a chimney cap to keep you from having problems in the future.
If you’ve heard animal noises in your chimney, make sure the chimney is swept and inspected before you use it, and have Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps install a chimney cap to protect your system going forward.
What Are the Main Benefits of a Chimney Cap?
Keeping animals out is an important part of the chimney cap’s role in your chimney system. However that’s not all a cap will do for your chimney. Full coverage chimney caps also help to keep water (specifically rain and snow) out of the flue as well as diverting precipitation of all forms from soaking into the crown wash and further damaging the masonry of your chimney. Draft-inducing chimney caps can often help correct drafting issues.
Quality chimney caps include a mesh screen that keeps animals out and sparks in – keeping sparks and embers from potentially igniting nearby trees, leaves and brush. Windy weather can cause chimney drafting problems that can interfere with your chimney’s proper function and can spread stray sparks.
How Do I Know What Size Chimney Cap I Need?
Chimney cap sizing depends on the dimensions of your flue opening, and getting it right matters more than most homeowners realize. A cap that’s too small won’t provide adequate coverage, leaving gaps where water, debris, and animals can still enter. One that’s too large may not seat properly or perform as intended.
Flue openings vary considerably from one home to the next, and some chimneys have multiple flues that each require their own cap. Measuring the outside dimensions of the flue liner or chimney crown is the starting point, but the surrounding structure and cap style also factor into the selection process.
Rather than guessing, having a professional assess your chimney ensures you get a cap that fits correctly and holds up over time. A properly fitted chimney cap is a straightforward investment that protects everything below it.
How Do I Know if My Chimney Cap Is Damaged or Missing?
Chimney caps take consistent exposure to weather, debris, and temperature swings, and they don’t always fail in obvious ways. Knowing what to look for helps you catch a problem before it turns into something more significant:
- You can see the cap is gone or visibly damaged from the ground. A missing cap is sometimes noticeable during a visual inspection from your yard, particularly on single-story homes or chimneys with clear sightlines.
- Animals are getting into your chimney. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons commonly enter through unprotected or damaged flue openings. Scratching sounds or nesting odors coming from the chimney are strong indicators.
- Water is entering the firebox. If you’re finding moisture inside the firebox or noticing rust on interior components, a compromised or absent cap is a likely contributor.
- Debris is collecting in the firebox. Leaves, twigs, and other material that accumulates inside the flue suggest the cap is no longer doing its job.
- Your last inspection flagged it. Cap condition is something our technicians assess during routine inspections, and any deterioration gets documented so you can make an informed decision on replacement.
How Long Should a Chimney Cap Last?
Chimney cap lifespan varies depending primarily on the material it’s made from and the conditions it’s exposed to. Basic galvanized steel caps tend to have the shortest service life, often showing rust and deterioration within five to ten years. Stainless steel and copper caps hold up considerably longer and are worth the added upfront cost for homeowners looking for a more durable solution.
Climate plays a meaningful role as well. Caps in areas with heavy precipitation, coastal salt air, or significant freeze-thaw cycling wear down faster than those in more moderate conditions.
Even a well-made cap benefits from periodic inspection to confirm the mesh, fasteners, and seating remain intact. Catching minor wear early means addressing a simple repair rather than replacing the cap entirely or dealing with damage caused by an unprotected flue. Annual chimney inspections are the most reliable way to stay current on cap condition.
Contact Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, Today!
Take preventative action and “Bless Your Hearth” by having Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps install a functional and beautiful chimney cap and animal guard atop your system. Call us or make your appointment online, today!
The installation of the right chase cover can add years of life to your prefabricated chimney system. Ask us for more details about these special chimney products.