Chimney Caps: Picking one that is right for your chimney

Chimney Caps: 

Multi-Flue Entire Crown, Single Flue and Vacu-Stack

Chimney Caps:
  Highly recommended for all chimneys! Water is one of a home’s worst enemies.  A chimney is part of the home, so water is also a danger to that as well.  A chimney cap stops water from entering the chimney liner or flue by directing it away from the center and off the sides of a chimney.  If that water were to get into the chimney liner or flue, it could cause the rapid deterioration of the chimney and cause more problems that you would want to deal with.

  Also, We live in a place with a lot of trees nearby, you have seen what happens when those trees shake their leave from their branches in autumn.  You have probably been outside on a cold day raking those leaves out of your yard.  Imagine those leaves inside of your chimney.  Imagine sticks falling from tree that hover above your chimney or a random piece of litter that is blowing by on a windy day getting into your chimney.  The chimney has suddenly become a giant trash can.  Granted, most chimneys will not experience such heavy build up of debris.  However, it does not take much to start a chimney fire or hinder the draft of your chimney.  A chimney cap, along with the metal grating or mesh that wraps around the outside of it will stop debris such as this from entering your chimney.

  The next good reason is a chimney makes a great place for an animal to build its nest.  It is dark, warm and safe from other predators, save for the adventurous household cat.  The wire mesh or netting that wraps around the outside of the chimney cap will keep these critters out of your chimney.  An animal in your chimney may eventually make its way into your home.  Then, there will be another set of issues to deal with.

   We now know what the chimney cap can keep out of your chimney.  However, there is also something important that it keeps in the chimney as well.  That is, large sparks that make their way up the chimney flue.  These sparks, if hot enough, do have a chance of making it all the way out of the chimney and into a dry patch of grass or that pile of leaves that you worked so hard to rake out of your yard.  If this happens, then a brush fire may be imminent.  The wire mesh around the chimney cap will help keep these sparks contained until they die out.

  The fifth reason that a chimney cap should be installed on your chimney is that it can increase the draft within your chimney.  Regular chimney caps can help increase the draft on their own.  However, there are also draft-enhancing chimney caps that use turbines to increase the draft within a chimney.  Draft is an easily deterred, but critical occurrence to the proper functioning of your chimney.  Without it, in fact, the chimney would be useless.  Since draft is so easily affected, these draft-enhancing chimney caps can help create the draft within the chimney and, sometimes, solve the problems that someone is facing with chimney draft.

  One final reason to add a chimney cap is that it can increase the lifetime of your chimney liner.  Water and debris getting into the chimney liner can cause it to deteriorate, especially in chimneys with clay liners.  By adding a chimney cap, you are increasing the life and effectiveness of your Chimney Liner.

  All of these reasons for having a chimney cap installed on your chimney come together and help increase the overall life of your chimney.  For those worried about cost, basic chimney caps can be found at a pretty fair price.  The draft-enhancing chimney caps can be more costly.  Either way, it is cheaper to add a chimney cap now than to have to repair or replace a chimney liner down the road or hire a pest removal specialist to get the raccoon's out of your chimney.

Check out our entire line of chimney caps at Chimneycaps.net

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Multi-Flue Entire Crown Caps:

Copper Multi-Flue Crown Cap

For Multi-Flue And Entire Chimney Crown Protection

Flue Copper Chimney Caps are for homeowners who not only want to protect their homes, but make them ascetically pleasing as well. This classic Cap design complements the classy look of the copper - which is why this cap is our Top Pick!

The cap's screen mesh is 10" high. A copper plated stainless steel base make this an exceptionally constructed cap, sure to last. Screws are copper plated and guaranteed not to strip.

Designed to cover multiple flues, or for homeowners who have a single flue but want to protect the full chimney crown, the cap mounts directly to the chimney crown using cement fasteners and adhesive which are included with the cap.

This Copper Chimney Cap is the perfect accent for your home's exterior decor.

Lifetime Warranty! Warranted for a lifetime against manufacturing defects and rust. Choose your size below.

Also available in stainless steel

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Single Flue Caps:

Single Flue Cap

For Single Flue Protection

Tristan's Chimney Service Copper Chimney Caps are for homeowners who not only want to protect their homes, but make them ascetically pleasing as well. The classic Tristan's Chimney Service Copper Chimney Cap design complements the classy look of the copper. A 24 gauge lid, 18 gauge copper screen, and copper plated stainless steel base make this an exceptionally constructed cap, sure to last. Screws are copper plated and guaranteed not to strip. This Copper Chimney Cap is the perfect accent for your home's exterior decor.

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Vacu-Stack:

Vacu-Stack With Animal Guard

For Solving Down Draft Problems

is the premier chimney cap for solving common, wind-related draft problems. These problems often occur for homes that have hills, mountains, tall trees or buildings in the vicinity.

How it works: When wind flows around the Vacu-Stack's unique design, wind speeds increase which creates a partial vacuum. This vacuum then pulls flue gases up and out of the chimney, thus preventing wind-induced downdraft and the resulting infiltration of smoke, odor, and flue gas into your home.
  This cap also functions as a conventional chimney cap by protecting the chimney from rain, snow, debris, and animals. It is designed for round chimneys that are not air insulated (also called air-cooled). The Vacu-Stack can also be installed on a square or rectangular chimney using the Masonry Adaptor.

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Visit out chimney cap web site pick a number and Contact us today so your chimney with be critter free and stand up to the high countries harsh elements!

Why Should I get My Chimney Cleaned

Why Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?

 The job of the chimney sweep is to remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote from your chimney liner, firebox, smoke chamber and damper. This cleaning will help create a safer operation of your system during the heating system. It take only a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a chimney fire. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. The rate of accumulation can be higher if you practice poor burning practices or have a burning appliance or stove that is not working well. Different types of wood create different amounts of creosote when burned. Pine causes a rapid build-up of creosote and should be avoided as a regular source of wood. Creosote can also reduce the draw of the fireplace and reduce efficiency.

Chimney Inspections should be scheduled once a year.

To be sure that all of your systems are in working order and operating as they should, it is recommended that homeowners get an annual chimney inspection. Most homeowners opt to have a Chimney Cleaning done every year as well, especially if they use their fireplace on a regular basis. Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves should also be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain safer operation. Fireplace, stove, furnace and heating appliance systems are important to your home and families safety and not an area to neglect or cut corners on. Don’t risk the chance that an undiscovered defect could turn into an expensive repair or worse yet – a chimney fire.
If you only have minimal use of your fireplace or stove, an inspection is still advised annually to look at all heating venting systems, chimneys, stove systems and furnace flues. During these inspections any defects or issues that may be found that require action even if cleaning is not needed.
When you have a regular chimney sweep company that you use, they will generally put you on an annual inspection schedule. During these inspections they will advise you if it is time to sweep.

When Do I Need A Chimney Inspection?

If you haven’t had your chimney inspected in a year or more, if you are having any performance issues with your chimney, fireplace or heating system or if you have recently purchased the home you should schedule an inspection. Don’t wait – waiting almost always results in additional repairs, and unfortunately sometimes in property loss. Every year in the US homeowners lose over 200 million dollars as a result of continuing to use unsafe systems.
Another important time to get your venting systems inspected is when you have upgraded or changed heating systems or added a stove or insert. An inspection will make sure that your chimney, lining and venting systems are adequate and in working order to handle the new changes.
If you have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber. Winter freeze cycles and moisture combine to take an annual toll on masonry and liner materials too. Over several years the deterioration will eventually require attention. Normal wear and tear that is left unchecked will affect the performance of your system. The longer the defects go without being addressed, the more expensive the repairs are likely to be. Bottom line is – staying on top of your systems is not only the smartest and safest choice, it ends up being the most cost-effective too.

How Often Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?

This depends a lot on how much you use your fireplace or stove. The National Fire Protection Association says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” So, even if you don’t use your chimney a whole lot – birds, squirrels, raccoons and other critters may have been using your chimney making it unsafe to use without clearing out the accumulated debris from nesting activity.
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) says that fireplaces should be cleaned when 1/8″ of sooty buildup is evident inside the chimney and flue system. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done even if there is less than 1/8″ of build up. Any time an appreciable accumulation of soot and creosote occurs it can be enough to fuel a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home. Furnace flue systems also require cleaning, so don’t neglect regular cleaning of those venting systems.
Some heavy use fireplaces produce an incredible amount of soot and creosote during a cleaning. Recently we removed nearly 2 full 5 gallon buckets of material from one chimney! Removing this material is critical to continued safe use of the fireplace and reduced risk of chimney fires that start when this highly combustible material builds up to unsafe levels.

What is the Best Time to Clean my Chimney?

Ideally, before the start of the burning season during the summer or early fall is a great time to get your chimney inspection and / or chimney cleaning. Before you think about building a fire or starting up your furnace because the weather has changed, is the time to call your chimney sweep. Maybe you forgot the early cleaning before starting to use the fireplace, stove or furnace? Don’t wait until next year, we can do your chimney cleaning or inspection any time of year. Call the office now at 828-387-6153.

Learning About Chimney Swifts

 Learning About Chimney Swifts 
by Tristan's Chimney service  Contact us by email!.

Tristan's Chimney Service

What is Chirping in My Chimney ?

    If you’ve heard some cheeping coming from your chimney, you probably have been a victim of a Chimney Swift nesting. And while the noises may have vanished with the coming of the cold, the remnants of these nestings and the future hosting job you inevitably have, still lingers behind. Chimney Swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This Federal Law prohibits the removal of any migrating bird without a federal permit. On top of that, due to the nature of migratory birds, if you had a nest in your chimney last year, you can expect the flock to return, to the exact same chimney. Therefore, if your goal is to keep the birds at bay, the problem must be taken care of in the proper manner at the proper time. On the other hand, you may wish to keep these little creatures around. In this article we will discuss how to keep Chimney Swifts away and also how to best handle providing a good home for these birds that is beneficial for you as well as for the Chimney Swifts.

 What Are Chimney Swifts   ?

   The most common migrating birds typically found in the Eastern United States are Chimney Swifts. These birds are unique little creatures. They are often mistaken as bats due to their rapid flight and their likelihood to reside in chimneys. But up close, these birds look very distinct. While they only weigh about an ounce and their body is only about 5 inches long, their wings span approximately 12 inches! Their wings have a unique shape to them, like thin half moons. In addition to their different wing design, unlike other birds, Chimney Swifts are not able to perch horizontally such as on tree branches and if they do end up landing on the ground or another flat surface, it is difficult for them to get into the air again. This difficulty with level ground is because their legs and feet are designed specially to hold onto the vertical walls of chimneys. In fact, they mostly live in the air and typically only land to sleep at night and raise their young. Rough vertical surfaces provide the resting places for these birds and a place to build their nests. Their nests are built onto the chimney walls using their sticky saliva and little sticks and twigs they gathered in flight. These birds live off of all types of insects which they catch while in flight. During the summer months they migrate to the North and when the weather turns chilly, the birds head to South America to avoid the cold.

 Why Should I Care ?  

Chimneys Should Be Capped To
Keep Out Intruders Like Birds,
 Critters, Leaves, Branches and
Other Things That Can Cause
 Obstructions.

 The Chimney Swift population in Connecticut is rapidly declining at about 4 percent annually. Historically, these birds would nest in hollowed out trees and structures, but with the destruction of forests and decline of their natural habitat, these birds adapted and began nesting in masonry chimneys. This adaptation allowed the birds to survive in more diverse habitats but now with more and more chimneys being capped and metal flue liners installed, their expanded habitat is decreasing once again.

The chimney caps keep the birds from entering the stone structure in the first place and metal flue liners do not have enough rough surfaces for the birds to hang onto. In fact, uncapped metal chimney liners pose a threat for Chimney Swifts, as the birds can easily get trapped inside. Chimney Swift migration season starts in late March and then they are gone by the first signs of winter in early November. Therefore, once the Chimney Swifts have arrived and chosen your chimney to build their nest, you must leave them alone till they leave in the Fall. You may not even realize the birds are nesting until the young make noises when the parents bring home food. This is the only time the birds will create a ruckus and it always takes place about 2 weeks before they take flight on their journey to the south. But there is one major benefit to keeping Chimney Swifts around, the little birds eat about a third of their weight in insects every day. This includes troublesome mosquitoes, termites, beetles, and many other tiny pests. You can even consider the minor disturbances at the end of their stay as your only sacrifice for enjoying a bug free summer! Chimney Swift Towers Many bird lovers actually construct special towers designed to house the visiting Chimney Swifts as they migrate into the area looking for places to nest. You can find easy to build Chimney Swift Towers online and construct one near enough to your home that you can enjoy watching the birds, but far enough away that they will not create any problems. If your chimney is capped, they will look for the next best thing and find your tower. Some communities that are known as annual nesting grounds have constructed large towers for these migrating birds. The swifts favor larger chimneys, so abandoned factories with smokestacks are a favorite place for a summer home.

 How do I keep the birds away?

  If you act during the right time, preventing the nesting of Chimney Swifts is a very simple task. After finding Chimney Swifts nesting in your chimney, wait till they have migrated back to the south and have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Note that it is illegal for any chimney sweep to remove an active nest of migratory birds. If the chimney inspection reveals an active nest, reschedule the appointment to a date after the birds have moved on. It is important to have the nest and other remnants of the birds removed from the chimney once the Chimney Swifts have moved on to prevent fire hazards. Then, the best solution to prevent any further nesting is to put a chimney cap on the chimney. This will not only prevent the birds from nesting again, but it will also protect your chimney from leaves, rain water, other animals and numerous other things from getting into and creating problems with your chimney. Keeping the birds out is a simple fix and furthermore, a chimney cap is a good addition to any chimney anyway. Whether you appreciate the company or would rather steer clear of the commitment, it is important to know about the residents of your chimney.

                                               Check out this video on chimney swifts!

Tristan's chimney service Certified chimney sweep of the high country of North Carolina: watauga, mitchell, yancy, avery county

Seasoning firewood

What Is the Best Species to Burn?

There are a handful of wood species that are commonly used as firewood in the NC High Country.  The species of the wood isn’t as important as the moisture content of the wood. For the most part, all species have about the same energy content per pound. The difference is that species vary in density. Oak, Yellow Locust, Hickory & Maple firewood, which are common to this area,  are very dense woods and produce long lasting coals to keep your stove toasty warm all through the night. Softer species such as Poplar or Pine can be burnt easily, but they are not as dense and will burn faster and will not leave the long lasting coals like a dense wood will.
As we said above, moisture content is very important when it comes to getting the most energy out of your firewood. When a tree is first cut its moisture content will be about 50%. The optimal range is for the wood to be in the 15% – 20% moisture content range. There are firewood moisture content meters, but with a little bit of practice you should be able to tell if firewood is seasoned or not just by looking at and doing a few quick tests on the wood. Here are a few quick ways you can tell if the wood is ready for burning yet.

• The wood will tend to turn to a grey or a yellow color depending on species once it is seasoned.
• You can split a piece of wood and see if the inside of it feels damp. If it is damp, then it is not ready to burn yet.
• Check for cracks and checks in the end grain. More often than not, dry wood will be cracked on the ends. This method isn’t 100% full proof, but it does serve as a good starting point.
• Take two pieces of wood and bang them together. Dry pieces of wood will make a hollow sound, while wet pieces of wood hit together will make a solid dull sound.
• If you are able to compare to wood you know is not dry yet, dry wood weighs much less than wet wood due to all of the moisture being gone from the piece.
• If you are still in doubt, you can always try and burn a piece. If it is dry, the wood will ignite and burn easily, otherwise it will be hard to start, smoke a lot and hiss if it does actually catch fire.