Protecting your chimney from water penetration is one of your biggest maintenance responsibilities as a homeowner. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the most economical way to keep water out of your chimney is a chimney cap, 
which is a chimney component that has been recognized for decades for its importance in safety and damage prevention. For over 30 years, Ashbusters has provided chimney cap sales and professional installation services to the Nashville area, and you can depend on our team to help you find the best cap for your chimney. We are proud to offer a wide variety of different types and sizes of chimney caps, and our technicians have been trained and certified by industry leaders such as the CSIA, which means you are guaranteed the best possible service. We would like to tell you more about why you need to have a chimney cap installed, and you will learn more about what you can expect from our professional chimney cap services.
Why do I need a chimney cap?
One of the best things about this chimney component is how many functions it serves at the same time. Its primary role is to cover the top opening of the chimney so that water from rain and melted ice and snow cannot get into the flue. Without a cap professionally installed at the top, your chimney is an open hole on your roof, and this means your home is not only susceptible to water penetration, but also to invasions of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wild animals. Ashbusters can show you the types of chimney caps with mesh metal siding that we recommend to keep water, birds, and wild animals out of your home. You want to be sure that the mesh is small enough to keep the critters out, but you also want to be sure that smoke, gases, and other by-products of combustion can get through the mesh openings. An advantage of the mesh metal siding is that it can also reduce your risk of accidental fires by keeping hot sparks and embers from jumping out of the top of the chimney. You may have heard chimney caps referred to as spark arresters because of this role that they play for chimneys. Yet another function that chimney caps can serve is to direct the wind that flows into your chimney so that it improves the draft. We can help you find a specialized cap that has been equipped with side vents if you have any drafting problems with your chimney. With the right type of chimney cap, you will not have to worry about smoke coming back into your living spaces, getting a fire started in your fireplace, or any other draft-related issue.
What other options do I have when it comes to chimney caps?
At Ashbusters, you will be able to choose from caps made from high-quality stainless steel and from copper, and we have a variety of styles to choose from that include top mount, outside mount, hip and ridgetop mount, and hip and ridge outside mount. Our team of professionals can help you pick out the cap that will work the best for your chimney, and you can count on our CSIA-certified technicians to take precise measurements of your chimney opening so that they can customize your cap to be a perfect fit on the top of your chimney. Once your chimney cap has been installed, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your home will be protected against water penetration damage. Your new cap will also be preventing birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wild animals from getting inside your chimney for a shelter to nest. This is especially important because certain types of birds like chimney swifts are protected by the federal Migratory Birds Treaty Act, which means they cannot be moved from their nesting spots. If a chimney swift builds a nest in your chimney in the spring, you will have to wait until the family of birds leaves on their own in the fall. After they have left, the only way that you can keep them from returning the following spring is by having a chimney cap professionally installed on the top of your chimney. Our team has years of experience with dealing with chimney swifts, and we are happy to help you through the entire process.
To give your chimney and fireplace system the best protection against damage from water leaks and wild animal invasions, you need a chimney cap professionally installed on the top of your chimney. If you do not have a chimney cap, contact us today at Ashbusters to schedule an appointment with one of our staff of chimney professionals. We are here for all of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.