When discussing chimney systems, homeowners must remember so many terminologies that it’s pretty common to mistake and confuse a few familiar terms. This is often the case for chimney caps, crowns, and chase covers, as they are often considered the same despite serving different purposes. If you’re a homeowner looking to learn more about chimneys, start at the top with a comprehensive understanding of the difference between a chimney chase cover, chimney cap, and chimney crown.
Chimney Caps
Chimney caps have one primary purpose: to protect the interior parts of your chimney from water and prevent wildlife from entering through the top of the chimney. By design, chimney caps disperse water from your chimney when it hits the cap, which keeps the entire system protected from water damage. It also protects against damage from the effects of wind, such as tree limbs that are tossed around.
Your cap must be installed by professional chimney services, as a faulty installation can cause more damage to your chimney. The best way to ensure your safety is by getting an annual chimney inspection and by getting chimney maintenance from a reputable company.
Chimney Crowns
Chimney crowns are slabs that cover the entire top of the chimney. While chimney caps only cover the flue, crowns cover the whole chimney and provide several benefits for the interior and sides of your chimney. Crowns are made of different materials — including metal, stone, or concrete — and are waterproof to prevent erosion and ensure 100% effectiveness.
Chimney crowns usually hang about 2 inches away from the chimney structure, which allows the rainwater and elements to drip out. Because the size of your chimney may vary, your chimney crown should be custom-made for your home. In addition, your chimney crown should never be built solely of bricks and mortar, as these materials aren’t waterproof and can damage your home. A chimney professional can identify the effectiveness of your crown and whether or not you need a new one.
Chimney Chase Covers
Chimney chase covers are similar to crowns and are usually used for the same purposes. Typical modern chase covers are stainless steel, while older versions were created from a thin layer of sheet metal. Similar to a chimney crown on a masonry chimney, chase covers work to replicate the effectiveness of chimney crowns on other surfaces. If your chase cover isn’t doing its job, it’s likely to be either too flat or improperly installed. If this is the case, get in contact with your local chimney specialist for help.
Find Out Which Option Protects Your Chimney the Best
All three options have their pros and cons, and for homeowners, it might be tough to decide on your own which form of chimney protection you need. Is your home older, and thus was built with an older chimney system? Are you experiencing signs that your chimney system might be compromised? No homeowner wants to invest in the wrong product, especially when it could be the difference between living in comfort and finding raccoons living in your chimney!
Reach out to an expert chimney professional to help you identify the best option to protect your chimney. We can give you a good chimney sweep and offer some of the best chimney cleaning services in Upstate, NY. Get in touch today and get the chimney chase cover, cap, or crown that’s right for your home.
