The Value of a Chimney Crown and Chimney Cap

When you own a home, there are several important maintenance responsibilities to be aware of. When it comes to your chimney, it is recommended to know what each component does to make your chimney run more efficient. Fortunately, for residents of the Albany area, the staff at Champs Chimney Service takes pride in educating our community about how chimneys work. We would like to tell you more about two of the essential chimney components: the chimney crown and the chimney cap.

Chimney Crown

If you have a masonry chimney, it is likely that it has a chimney crown at the top. Its primary function is to cover and seal the opening at the top of the flue. However, if your crown is old, damaged, and deteriorated, your chimney is at a risk of suffering from water damage. In our years of working on chimneys, we have seen extensive chimney deterioration from water. This is especially true for chimney crowns that have been damaged or poorly constructed. If we find cracks or problems with your crown, we can repair it. We can also construct a new crown with Portland cement that slopes correctly to decrease the risk of water damage.

Chimney Cap

Although the chimney crown covers the top of the flue, you still need to protect the top opening of the flue with a chimney cap. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) , this component is the most economical way for homeowners to prevent water penetration. Not only does a cap keep water out of your chimney, but it also prevents birds and other wild animals from invading your chimney.

We have chimney caps with mesh metal sides to stop critters from entering, as well as to keep hot sparks and embers from jumping out of your chimney. We also sell chimney caps that are specially designed with side vents to improve the performance of your chimney draft!

Call Our Pros!

Knowing exactly what the roles of each component of your chimney can help you understand the importance and value of the chimney crown and chimney cap. Contact us at Champs Chimney Service for all your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services today!