An uncapped chimney is essentially a hole into your home. It can be an open invitation to “come in and make yourself comfortable” for a wide variety of animals. It allows rain and weather into your chimney and has a potential for sparks and embers to escape from your chimney. A chimney cap fits over the top of your chimney and prevents water, tree debris and small animals from getting into your chimney. They also add to the beauty of your home. In this area of the country they are almost a must-have!
Probably the best reason to install a chimney cap is to keep animals and birds from making their home inside your chimney. North Carolina lies in the flight path of Chimney Swifts on their way up from South America. These migrating birds especially like masonry chimneys to build their nests and raise their broods. The delight of being so close to wildlife often ends quickly with the loud raucous from the hungry little ones, or the smell of bird droppings or even worse, the smell of little ones that have fallen out of the nests and have died. Properly sized and secured chimney caps provide a healthy distance between you and cute wildlife. And if it is not a chimney swift you might end up with a squirrel or a raccoon.
A chimney cap definitely fits under the ounce of prevention category. Give Chimneys Plus a call and we can talk about options for replacing a damaged cap or fitting a new one for your home.
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