Why a Raincap is a good Idea!

1)  Water is the Big Enemy

• When it penetrates masonry, it activates acids that cause corrosion in liners and brickwork and dampers.
• Water breaks things up when freeze-thaw cycles occur -- cracking joints, loosening and cracking bricks, and popping the faces off bricks (called "spalling).
• Water leaches out both white calcium salts and sooty deposits and then stains chimney exteriors, and even interior house walls.
• Water carries odors.
• Water encourages moss and lichen growth, as well as mold. 

 

Raincaps are your first and best line of defense!

 

 

2)  Raincaps with meshed sides keep out critters that can block venting, with their nests and dead bodies.  And wild life can also spread disease and parasites.  If birds, squirels or racoons get inside your house they can do unbelievable damage out of both curriosity, hunger or desperation.

 

 

3)  Meshed raincaps also guard against sparks and flying embers emerging to damaged roofs or start structure or brush fires.

 

 

Causes of Infrequent Problems

     Raincaps need to be roomy enough and elevated above chimney top terminations, including liners, so that any back pressure is insignificant in retarding the free flow of venting gases (e.g., as in a smoking fireplace).  Every once in a while we'll run into a "cantankerous" fireplace that has enough inherent smoking problems so that the adition of a raincap noticeably impedes good performance.  Although this condition is no more frequent than once in a hundred situations, it may require adapting the raincap design or using no cap at all or better yet modify or repair the internal chimney issues that are the primary cause of the problem.

     Look up at your chimney today and consider whether you might benefit from a raincap!