Do All Chimneys Need a Cap?
Chimneys come in all shapes and sizes brick, stone, metal, or from a pipe to a wide opening and more. Some people use a chimney for a gas fireplace or a wood fireplace, some for a wood-burning stove. All of them need the same things though: access to oxygen, protection from excessive elements like rain and wind, and a way to keep unwanted visitors out. All three of these needs can be met by having a cap, but choosing the right cap has everything to do with the type of chimney you have. To figure this out, climb up onto your roof, count the number of flues (often a square of stone or one or two metal pipes) and write down a good description of each (Do pipes stick up out of the base? How far? etc), and measure each with your handy tape measure. Or, if you’re not feeling so daredevilish, ask your chimney sweep or other professional chimney service to come by and take a look for you. Specific Functions of a Chimney Cap There are almost as many variations of chimney caps as there are chimn
