Chimney Cap Checklist: Four Quick Ways to Evaluate Your Existing Chimney Cap

While you are cleaning leaves out of your home's gutters, dealing with Christmas lights, or adjusting a satellite dish, don't forget to check on your chimney caps while you're on the roof. Chimney caps are those mesh-sided enclosures (usually made of stainless steel, copper, or galvanized steel) atop your chimney to prevent water, animals, bird droppings, and leaves from entering your home. A once-a-year assessment of your chimney caps' condition can be well worth your time for protecting your house. Here are four things you can easily check on your chimney caps:

1. Are the chimney caps there? If there have been high winds in your area, your chimney caps may have blown off. Properly secured chimney caps withstand most high winds, but exceptional winds can do damage, including blowing chimney caps off.

2. Are the chimney caps securely attached? Time, wild animals, or high winds can degrade the security of your chimney caps' attachment to your flues or chimneys. You can retighten screws or reapply a sealant if your chimney caps are no longer securely attached.

3. Are the chimney caps rusting through? Galvanized steel chimney caps generally last about three to five years before they become too rusted to serve their purposes. In salt water environments, galvanized chimney caps corrode even more quickly. Stainless steel and copper chimney caps usually have lifetime warranties, so they are good replacement choices for those who don't want to be replacing their chimney caps every few years.

4. Are the sides of your chimney caps clogged? The mesh or screen sides of your chimney caps may get clogged with leaves or other detritus forced into the mesh by very high winds. More frequently, chimney caps' mesh can get clogged with soot and creosote, especially if you are using unseasoned, green firewood. This clogging is most common in chimney caps designed with smaller mesh holes for use in wildfire prone areas. If the mesh sides of your chimney caps are clogged, your fireplace's or woodstove's draft will be reduced, leading to poor performance or even to a chimney fire.

When you head up to the roof, take along a metal tape measure, paper, and pencil. In case you find you need new chimney caps, you will have the tools at hand to measure your flues or chimney crown for their replacement chimney caps.

Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.fireplacemall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

---

Feng Shui Tips For Your Home Office

Did you know that over 50% of women now run... Read More

Hiring a Waterproofing Contractor

According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair... Read More

Key Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

One of the simplest ways to start planning your bathroom... Read More

All You Need To Know About The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The feng shui bagua map is an octagonal shaped map... Read More

The Art of Power Washing Siding

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid made by... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Conservatories - Dispelling a Myth

It's now well into the new year and the residential... Read More

Country Home Accessories

Country home décor is the most sought after home interior... Read More

Vintage Labels on Marble Tiles

It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that... Read More

Selecting Color Schemes

Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More

Buyers Guide For Copper MailBoxes

Mailboxes crafted from copper give you traditional elegance and extraordinary... Read More

Choosing a Furnace Humidifier

While everyone longs for a white winter, the problems associated... Read More

Building A Pair Of Heavy Duty Saw Horses

Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according... Read More

You Get What You Pay for when it Comes to Above Ground Pools

When you think about an above ground pool do you... Read More

How House Plans Work

The Ins and Outs Of Choosing Online Custom Home Plans!... Read More

Mommy, Mommy, Theres a Caterpillar on my Bed

Chenille has been used for bedspreads since Catherine Evans revived... Read More

Hot Tubs: Without A Shadow Of A Doubt Guarantee Relaxation When You Dip Your Feet Into The Water!

A staple of healthy outdoor living, hot tubs equals to... Read More

An Introduction to Waterproofing Systems

Many homeowners find it necessary to invest in a waterproofing... Read More

Wall Oven - A Necessity For The Disabled

Wall ovens, available in electric and gas forms, are best... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - How to Avoid Boundary Disputes when Extending or Redeveloping a Site

The quest for more living space these days means making... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Protect Your Hardwood Floor From Disaster

Common knowledge states that hardwood floors are a great investment... Read More

Swim Spas Make a Big Splash with Baby Boomers

If you are an aging baby boomer like I am,... Read More

Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring

Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is... Read More

Interior Design For New Homes

When decorating or making decorating decisions for new homes, it... Read More

Hidden Causes of Water Damage in the Home

In addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an... Read More

Thinking of Remodeling Your Kitchen?

If you like to cook, or even if you just... Read More

Buying The Right Bed Sheets For Your Bed

You spend a lot of your life in your bed... Read More

3 Great Reasons to Shop for Home Lighting Online

If you are a consumer who knows just what brand... Read More

Your Shower Door Can Have A Huge Impact On The Look And Feel Of Your Bathroom!

These days shower doors come in a wide variety of... Read More

Cordless Impact Wrench - Not the Same Tool as Your Cordless Drill

The cordless impact wrench is quickly gaining in popularity among... Read More

Inspecting your Swimming Pool

With the varied availability of swimming pool equipment and designs,... Read More

Unique and Imaginative Wall Storage Ideas

Everyone can use more organization in their lives (except those... Read More

How to Choose a Freezer for Home

The average household freezer is a silent slave. It operates... Read More