Below is the process for installing a chimney chase cover. First, measure your chimney chase dimensions and then find a corresponding cover to place on top of your chimney, covering the opening entirely and overlapping along the edges of your chase. Screw the cover into place with stainless steel screws directly into the chase. Make sure that it is nice and tight. Ensure that the top of the cover does slope away from the center so that the water can drain off the top. Properly installed chimney chase covers protect your chimney and fireplace from not only water intrusion but blowing debris as well. Should you have any doubt about how to install, consider consulting a professional chimney service for help.
What is a Chimney Chase Cover?
A chimney chase cover is a protective metal covering installed at a prefabricated or factory-built chimney chase’s top.
This chase cover sits atop the chimney, preventing intrusion by water, deterioration/debris, and unwanted wildlife entrance into the chimney flue while allowing smoke and gases to vent safely from the fireplace or heating appliance.
These covers are typically made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, or copper and custom-designed to fit the outer dimensions of a chimney chase. The installation of a properly fitted chimney chase cover is very important in keeping the integrity and functionality of your chimney system while preventing the elements from causing damage to it.
Types of Covers on a Chimney Chase
Aluminum
Aluminum chimney chase covers are lightweight and inexpensive. They will not rust but are of less heavy-duty material compared to others. That much is required frequent maintenance and inspecting of such a material for its protection against corrosion and breakdown.
Stainless Steels
Stainless steel is regarded as a very popular material used in chimney chase covers, since by nature it is very hard, rust-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. It can be found in a number of classes; the higher grade being more resistant to corrosion. A stainless steel chimney cover is very durable but is suggested basically for most climates.
Galvanized steel
Galvanized steel chimney chase covers are also coated with a layer of zinc against rusting. They are more reasonably priced than those of stainless steel and might not have their strength, but regular inspections will add years to their life.
Copper
Copper chimney chase covers are attractive and durable. They patina nicely with time, creating character and charm in the look of your chimney. On the other hand, copper is quite resistant to corrosion and, therefore, an excellent choice for upscale housing and anyone giving unique appearance to their chimneys.
Why Stainless Steel Chase Covers are a customer favorite.
Stainless steel chase covers are one of the best sellers for several very good reasons. They will never rust, corrode, or bear other forms of weather-related damage. Thus, on account of their long life and low maintenance cost, they are cost-effective in the long term.
Stainless steel chase covers are available in various grades, depending on the weather-related corrosion resistance required for their climates. Their clean, modern lines complement a variety of architectural styles, making them suitable for most any home. It is the combination of durability, aesthetics, and longevity that has propelled these products to one of the top choices for existing homeowners looking to protect their chimneys very effectively while enhancing the curb appeal of their homes.
How to install chimney chase cover
The basic steps you should follow to install a chimney chase cover include:
Safety First: Begin with a good ladder, gloves, and protective goggles.
Measure Your Chimney Chase: Take the measurements around your chimney chase. Choose a chase cover that will fit the measurements.
Position Chase Cover Place the chase cover over the top of your chimney, ensuring that it covers the entire opening and overlaps the edges of the chase. It should be centered and level.
Secure the Chase Cover Down: Use stainless steel screws. Secure it atop the top of your chimney chase. Space them evenly around, then screw them down tightly preferably around the perimeter. Proper Sloping: The top cover should slope away from the center. This will ensure efficient drainage of water and prevent its accumulation on the surface of the cover.
Inspect the Seal: Very carefully check the seal between the chase cover and chimney for gaps or areas water may enter.
Maintenance It is highly important to inspect your chase cover periodically for integrity, making sure it remains securely attached and continues to provide protection for the chimney flue.
A newly installed chase cover can help prevent damage to your home and fireplace system
Every newly installed chimney chase cover offers valuable benefits to the home while safeguarding property and fireplace system integrity.
These covers essentially act as a guard on top of your chimney chase to block an entire list of potential problems. Keeping the chimney flue covered and not in direct contact with rainwater, snow, and other forms of droppings, these chase covers stop moisture damage to your fireplace system and interior. This consequently reduces possibilities of really expensive repairs to your chimney liner or dampers. Most importantly, a properly fitted chimney chase cover acts as a barrier to the entry of animals and birds, and specifically prevents nesting, which could block an exhaust vent and create a fire hazard.
Besides its practical benefits, chase covers have the added advantage of beautification for one’s house. It comes in various materials, from stainless steel to galvanized steels and to copper, so you can easily make sure that you can find one which really corresponds with the architecture or the outline of your house. Invest in a chimney chase cover and make sure it is properly installed to protect your safety, comfort level, and property value. It helps maintain the integrity of your fireplace system while avoiding all of the expensive damages caused by moisture intrusion. Anybody who has a new chase cover or is having one installed is definitely going to make a wise move if they take enough time to protect their home and /or their fireplace system from unwanted elements.
What will occur if chimneys do not have proper top covers?
Chimneys without the proper top cover or chimney cap are subject to a variety of issues that can have serious implications for the well-being of the chimney and for the house it serves. Without such a protective barrier, chimneys are exposed to the elements and result in moisture-related problems.
This can allow rain water to enter freely into the chimney flue and cause structural damage, mortar erosion, and activate deterioration of bricks and liner materials. Water infiltration inside the chimney may create an environment conducive for mold and mildew growth, not only attacking the chimney but also posing health risks to occupants.
Additionally, the lack of a chimney cap invites nesting animals, such as birds, squirrels, or raccoons, looking for a nesting site or shelter, into the chimney. All this might result in blockages, forming a fire hazard in cases where nests or such related debris completely block the flue, thus preventing the free passage of smoke and gases out of the appliance. Foul smells in the house could also be due to this accumulated debris up the chimney. Moreover, sparks from the fireplace or stove may leave at the open top of a chimney and cause fires on the roof.
So, these needs have to be dealt with beforehand by chimney maintenance and installation of a good cap on the chimney. Proper maintenance and protection keep your chimney safe, efficient, and free from all those troubles that a top cover-less chimney is bound to bring.
New Chase Cover Installation – Protection from Fireplace System and Home Damage
A newly installed chimney chase cover goes a long way toward protecting your home—whether in simple protection or extending the life of a fireplace system. It provides a hard barrier against a whole list of things that can affect both the outside and inside of homes. The chimney top covers seal off the top of your chimney chase, thereby forming a barrier against rain, snow, or other objects that might enter your chimney. Such a system prevents moisture infiltration into your chimney flue towards the upper areas of your home.
This is very important since excessive moisture may result in serious damage by weakening your chimney structure, corroding liners, and eroding the mortar. It can also be an excellent breeding ground for mold and mildew, which may be hazardous to the health of your family. Another very critical role played by chimney chase covers is in averting wildlife and pests. If there isn’t one, then chimneys that have not been covered properly rank highly as those to be used for building nests or finding solace in by birds, squirrels, and other critters.
These can indeed form blockages, which will hinder the safe ventilation of smoke and gases from your fire or appliance—something that not only puts you at an increased risk of chimney fires but results in smoke backing up into your home. Nests or other falling debris can cause foul odors in your living space as well. Added to the functional benefits of installing a chase cover are the overall aesthetic values it can contribute to your house. Many covers come available in various metals, such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, and copper, so you can use a finish that best fits the architectural style of your house.
Chimney chase cover installation and care are pro-active steps to take toward keeping your home, plus the efficiency and safety of your fireplace system, intact. This is not an accessory; it is considered part of maintaining the life of your chimney and preventing costly situations due to moisture damage, fire hazards, and structural deterioration. Whether you have recently installed a chase cover or are considering one, it is a prudent choice to ensure that your home remains secure and your fireplace system operates effectively, enhancing your overall living experience.
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