Let Us Explain
What is a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is a protective covering for your chimney typically made of stainless steel or copper, always allowing air to flow. Chimney caps have a mesh screening which is multi-purposed.
Why do I need a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is designed to be a barrier for debris, animals, rain and snow. An unwanted animal can be potentially lethal if it is creating a blockage. The cap also prevents rusting of any metals associated with the chimney, lining or dampers. It can also serve as spark arrestor. What is that? Suppose a spark or anything “hot” rises in the smoke, the chimney cap will prevent it from landing on the roof of your home, keeping your home protected.
What is a Damper?
A chimney damper allows the chimney flue to be shut off, partially or completely. This allows the air flow to be closed completely preventing any heat to escape and/or any drafts that may entering through your fireplace.
Why do I need a Chimney Damper?
Top sealing dampers are a preferred and economical remedy to worn out throat dampers. For your home’s protection a chimney damper is practically required. For economic purposes, it is an investment that will save you hundreds of dollars every year! For more information about a combined Top Sealing Chimney Cap and Damper call us at 1-781-891-9900 so we can explain the benefits to YOU in more detail.
What is a stainless steel liner?
Homesaver refers to a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner as: “Stainless steel pipe, either rigid or flexible, made for relining flues of masonry chimneys when the original clay liner has cracked or broken. May also be used to create a lining in a masonry chimney that was made without a clay liner.”
Flue liners are necessary for various appliances, for example, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, wood stoves, and coal stoves. According to the most recent code, ALL chimneys must contain a liner. If your chimney does not contain a liner, it may not meet today’s code. Re-lining your chimney will keep your chimney in a state to protect your home from chimney fires.
Why do I need to reline my chimney?
There are many reasons why you may need to reline in your chimney, the most common being age and deterioration, others being, resizing of the flue as a result of a new appliance; or maybe your chimney was just not built with a proper lining.
What are the dangers of these situations?
The deterioration of a chimney liner occurs from burning oil or gas inside the passageway of exhaust, the flue. Over a period of time the acidic nature of the by-products of combustion eat away at the terra-cotta (clay) flue tiles. This deterioration can seriously compromise the flue inside the chimney. If your chimney is made of only brick – you must reline your chimney to meet today’s code.
Wood stoves or coal stoves that are inside a home venting into a fireplace require a stainless steel liner. However, there are venting configurations of some wood stoves that may not require relining. Not sure if your wood stove requires relining? We can help! Call us at 1-781-891-9900!
Whether there is a mismatch in sizing of the flue and the appliance it’s venting into or maybe your chimney just wasn’t built properly, this is an easy fix for us! The most common occurrences of these situations can be found with hot water heaters venting into much larger flues creating a draft problem; or inaccessible areas for cleaning and inspection with large areas unaccounted for. You can relax peacefully knowing your chimney is functioning as it was originally intended to, by letting us properly size and install a lining system for you.
Let us help you keep your home protected – whether the job is big or small you can be confident that the team at SAFE CHIMNEYS, INC. will complete it with high quality service and standards.