An Open Chimney Is an Open Door
Stand on a Dallas roof in a spring storm and look down an uncapped flue. Every drop of rain that falls on that opening goes straight into your fireplace. Over a year, that is gallons of water running down the inside of the chimney, rusting the damper and soaking the firebox.
Rain is only part of it. Chimney swifts, squirrels and raccoons see an open flue as a safe hollow tree. Leaves and twigs fall in and block the airflow. A chimney cap fixes all of this with one piece of metal.
Dallas Chimney Care installs chimney caps in Dallas, TX, along with chase covers for prefab chimneys. We measure first, so the cap fits your flue the way it should.
What a Chimney Cap Does
- Keeps rain out. Less water means less rust, fewer leaks and a longer life for the liner and damper.
- Keeps animals out. The mesh sides stop birds, squirrels and raccoons from moving in.
- Blocks debris. Leaves, twigs and nesting material stay out of the flue.
- Stops sparks. The screen catches embers before they land on the roof or in dry grass.
- Cuts downdrafts. A cap helps on windy days when smoke gets pushed back down the flue.
Types of Chimney Caps We Install
Single-flue caps
The most common cap. It clamps or screws to one clay flue tile and covers that flue only. Stainless steel is our first choice because it does not rust.
Multi-flue and full-coverage caps
A larger cap that mounts to the crown and covers every flue on the chimney at once. It also shields the crown from rain and sun, which helps the crown last longer.
Custom chimney caps
Some chimneys are an odd size or shape, or the homeowner wants a cap that suits the house. We measure the chimney and have a cap made to fit. Custom caps are 10% off.
Chase covers
Prefab chimneys have a flat metal cover over the top of the chase. The original covers are often thin galvanized steel, and they rust through. A new stainless steel chase cover with the right slope sheds water and stops the rust stains on your siding.
Signs Your Chimney Cap Needs Replacing
- You can see the open flue from the yard, with nothing on top
- Rust streaks running down the chimney or siding
- A cap that is bent, loose or missing its screen
- Water or rust in the firebox after rain
- Birds or animals in the chimney
- Dents from hail
How Chimney Cap Installation Works
- We measure. Flue size, crown size and the height the cap needs for good draft.
- You get a written price. The estimate is free.
- We install it. The cap is fastened so wind cannot lift it, and sealed where it meets the crown.
- We check the top of the chimney. While we are on the roof, we look at the crown and flashing and show you photos.
If the crown is cracked, we can handle the chimney crown repair during the same visit. If animals are already inside, see our animal removal service.
Why Dallas Homeowners Choose Dallas Chimney Care
Dallas Chimney Care is a small local company with an owner who has worked on chimneys for 20 years and holds a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Our work comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty.
A chimney cap is one part of keeping the whole system dry and safe. The U.S. Fire Administration also recommends a yearly chimney inspection. See all of our Dallas chimney services, or learn more about Dallas Chimney Care.