Custom Chimney Caps

A chimney without a cap is like getting soaked walking in the rain without an umbrella. The rain, snow, wind, and other external elements like small birds and debris can do a lot of damage to the flue and chimney. A custom cap that is sized to perfectly fit the full width of your chimney provides the maximum protection your masonry needs to protect against water damage while keeping neighborhood critters and debris blowing across your roof out of the flue. It minimizes repairs, prolongs the useful life of critical components, and reduces fire and safety risks.

The CSIA/NFI certified chimney sweep and masonry professionals at Bethesda Chimney install custom chimney caps for homes, businesses, and government offices in Montgomery County, MD, Northern VA, and Washington DC.

Full-Width Chimney Cap Vs. Flue Cover

A flue cover does a pretty good job at preventing moisture, wildlife, and debris from getting inside the flue, but it doesn’t adequately protect the chimney crown against water damage. The chimney crown is the concrete or cement surface that tops masonry flues. It prevents moisture from leaking into the chimney between the interior masonry walls and flue pipe. Since the crown is porous, it is prone to cracking and crumbling from frequent rain, snow accumulation, and storm damage. Even a hairline crack in the crown can expose the chimney to moisture that can lead to costly repairs.

Prevents Moisture Intrusion

Both the flue cover and full-width chimney cap are installed at the top of the flue. However, a full-width chimney cap covers the entire width of the chimney, protecting the chimney crown from rain, snow, ice, and storms, which can help maintain the lifespan of your chimney.

Keeps Out Neighborhood Critters

Neighborhood wildlife like blue jays, bats, racoons, and squirrels enjoy hanging out in a warm flue. However, once inside they build nests which is not only a fire hazard but can also impede with the venting of smoke and exhaust when using the fireplace or heating stove.  Our custom chimney caps will keep these critters out of the chimney and flue.

Helps Prevent Flue Obstructions

When it gets windy outside, the leaves and debris that are blown across the roof can land right on top of the flue. Without a chimney cap, debris can clog the vent which can result in a dangerous backdraft that pushes smoke, soot, debris, and hot embers into your home. Our custom chimney caps will help prevent flue obstructions and keep your family safe.

Contains Flying Sparks

The flying sparks from burning wood in the fireplace can land on the roof if your chimney has a damaged or missing cap. If your roof has combustible materials laying around such as bird nests, leaves, twigs, or overhanging tree branches, a hot ember that flies out of the flue could start a fire. Our chimney cap has a spark arrestor feature that will keep hot embers away from combustible materials.

Protects the Chimney Crown

Our full-width chimney cap covers the entire width of your chimney, protecting the crown’s porous surface from moisture damage, minimizing crown repairs and rebuilding.

Reduces Masonry Repairs

Most custom chimney caps have a standard 3” drip edge. While that may provide satisfactory performance when there is little to no wind, our chimney caps have a significantly larger 8” to 9” drip edge which provides superior masonry protection when precipitation is accompanied by windy conditions.

Chimney Cap Installation

Since not all chimneys are the exact same width, we fabricate custom chimney caps that are tailored to the precise measurements of your chimney. Plus, our hip and ridge style cap have an 8” - 9” drip edge, up to three times larger than most custom caps.  This bigger overhang provides superior performance in deflecting water away from the masonry, even on a windy day in Washington, DC. Plus, our custom chimney caps are backed by a Lifetime Warranty, so this may be the only cap your chimney will ever need.

Signs Your Chimney Needs a Full-Width Cap

• Rain is dripping into the fireplace.
• There are leaves and other debris in the firebox.
• You notice cracks on the chimney crown.
• You hear animal noises like gnawing, scratching, and screeching.
• There is a pungent or musty odor in the chimney.
• Your fireplace is drafty

Full-Width Custom Chimney Cap Installation in Logan Circle, DC – Aspen Hill, MD – Leesburg, VA

Bethesda Chimney provides custom chimney cap installations, flue cover replacements, and top-notch masonry repair services that protect your chimney, flue, and attached heating appliances. We serve residential, commercial, and government customers in Garrett Park, MD, Rockville, MD, Sterling, VA, Gaithersburg, MD, Olney, MD, Springfield, VA, Montgomery County, MD, Northern VA, and Washington DC. Call 301-969-4444 or 703-935-4444 to schedule a chimney inspection and estimate today!