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Selecting a Chimney Cap for Your Roof.There are many different chimney caps on the market. Consumers can choose chimney caps that are decorative, plain, or custom made. The design of your chiminey cap may be cool and creative or primarily utilitarian, but the fact is no matter what your chimney's topper looks like it's designed to keep your roof, home and chimney healthy. Often the first sign of a leaky roof is not related directly to a problem with the roof but to an uncapped chimney. One of the primary duties of a cap is to prevent water from running into your flue, where it can deteriorate the mortar. It also prohibits rain from seeping through cracked mortar and making its way under your roof. Once moisture has found its way under your shingles it can weaken your roof, compromise your ceiling, and encourage the growth of mold. Additionally caps keep out animals, twigs, and leaves, none of which you want in your chimney and all of which can contribute to blockage. Finally they can help deter dangerous and pesky downdrafts, which have the potential to push noxious gasses and smoke back down your chimney and into your home. Single flue caps start at around $100, while multi-flue caps are priced from around $200 and up. When determining what type of cap to buy consumers should consider a few important points. First, does the cap carry a lifetime guarantee? Does the price include installation? Is the installation of the cap guaranteed? Finally, is the cap made out of durable material? Most are composed of stainless steel, copper, or aluminum, all of which wear well. Depending on what you want to spend, decorative caps can give your home a unique appearance. However, no matter how good a cap looks, if it doesn't do its job by keeping out unwanted elements, then it shouldn't be topping off your home. Return Home |