If I had only reason for installing a rain-guard / Chimney Cap, on every chimney in the Seattle area it would be because I have never inspected a chimney that was not suffering in some way from water Damage.  There are many things that you can do to protect your chimney from water damage, and other problems here in the Seattle area.  One thing that you should do is, step outside and look up at your chimney top and see if you have a chimney cap or rain-guard, covering the top of your chimneys flue-liner.  If you don’t see one then your chimney is being damage by water and other corrosives right now.  Here in the Seattle and east-side area, over 50% of all homes either don’t have a chimney cap / rain-guard, or they have one that is rusted out and not doing the job that it was meant to do.  If you are one of the 50% of people that is missing the chimney cap / rain guard, I will start with the good news first.  Even though a chimney cap or rain-guard is that important, it’s cost is very low, the cost of a chimney cap or rain-guard for an average chimney will only be about $150.00 dollars installed by your chimney repair contractor.  There are very few things that you can do to provide that much protection for your home for that small amount of money.

 

If the reasons that we talked about above, were the only reason to have a chimney cap or rain-guard installed on your chimney, then that should be enough.  Yet there are even larger area of concern as to why every chimney should have a chimney cap installed.  If you are wondering why I just called it a chimney cap this time, well the reason is that we are going to talk about your Chimney Cap / Spark-Arrestor.  Yes one of the other main reason to have a chimney cap on your chimney, is that it is also a spark-arrestor and can stop large sparks from flying out on your roof and starting a fire.  If for that reason and that reason only every chimney should have a chimney cap / spark-arrestor installed to keep your home safe from fire Damage.  What better reason is there for your chimney to have a chimney cap?  Yet as we stated above at least 50% of the homes out there don’t have a chimney / arrestor installed on them.  Could it be out of sight out of mind.

 

You might be thinking that these are some really good reasons for having a chimney cap installed on your chimney.  It’s a rain guard to stop water damage, and a spark arrestor to keep your home safe from flying sparks, all in one.  You might even be thinking, that’s pretty impressive for a $150 dollar investment, but wait there is even more.  Your chimney cap / rain-guard / spark-arrestor is also your chimney cap / Small animal defender.  Yes not only does the screen stop sparks from flying out on your roof, it will also stop small birds and animals from coming down your chimney and making a home in it.  This is one problem that you really don’t want to have, in quite a few cases these small animals will be Squirrels and Rats.  They are looking for a way in to your home to find food and a place to nest.  One of the worst places that they set up in is on the smoke shelf of the chimney right behind the damper, if you need to place a fire in your chimney they will be coming out one way or other.  This is also a place were they leave behind there  droppings to create  some very unpleasant smells, and a small reminder that they were there.  One of the very best ways to keep your chimney clean, dry, and safe from birds and animals is to install that chimney cap, by calling your Seattle Masonry Contractor  for a free inspection of your chimney.  And if you don’t have that chimney cap up there yet, now is the time to call and order yours.  Tim Wheeler Masonry construction 206 714-8553   www.timwmasonry.com