There are five good reasons to have a chimney cap:
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It keeps out the rain. Rain can soak into the mortar joints, weaken them and, therefore, weaken the chimney. If you have a metal firebox, rain will cause rust. If you have a wood stove insert, rain will rust it rapidly.
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A cap will keep out birds and other varmints. Bird droppings down the chimney can cause a bad smell and a breeding ground for mites.
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Installing a chimney cap can prevent roof fires, as its spark arrestor will trap the hot embers.
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A cap inhibits downdrafting. Backpuffing of smoke can result from several factors. One of these is downdrafting, blowing smoke back down into the room.
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A cap keeps out leaves. Leaves can choke a flue and set off a chimney fire in a dirty flue.
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