The short answer
A chimney cap keeps rain, animals and debris out of the flue, and a chase cover seals the top of a framed chimney chase. If you see water in the firebox, rust streaks, or hear animals in the chimney, the top likely needs repair or replacement. Our certified technicians measure, inspect and install a properly fitted cap or cover in a single visit.
The top of your chimney takes the worst of the weather, and it is the part you see least. A chimney cap sits over the flue opening to keep out rain, snow, leaves and animals. A chase cover is the metal top on a framed chimney chase, the boxed-in enclosure around a factory-built fireplace flue. When either one is missing, rusted or badly fitted, water and debris get into places they shouldn't. EmberGuard Chimney Sweep inspects, fits and replaces caps and chase covers for homes in New York and nearby cities. We measure your flues and choose a top that fits the chimney you actually have.
Signs you need a new chimney cap or chase cover
Most problems at the top of a chimney show up somewhere else first. Owners usually notice them inside the house or on the walls below the roofline. If you see any of these, have the top of the chimney checked before the next heavy rain or the start of the heating season.
- Water, damp ash or rusty drips in the firebox after rain or snow
- Scratching, chirping or rustling inside the chimney, a sign that birds, squirrels or raccoons have found an open flue
- Leaves, twigs, nest material or flakes of brick and mortar falling into the firebox
- White, chalky staining on the outside brick, which points to water moving through the masonry
- A musty or smoky smell indoors, often worse in humid weather when moisture mixes with creosote in the flue
- Poor draft or smoke rolling back into the room, which can come from a blocked flue or wind pushing down an uncapped opening
- Rust streaks running down siding below a chase cover, or a cover that sags and holds standing water
What's included in a cap or chase cover service
Every job starts with an inspection of the chimney top, because a new cap won't fix a cracked crown or a flue that is already damaged. We explain what we find before any work begins, and we install only what you approve.
- Inspection of the existing cap, chase cover, crown and flue tiles from the roof
- Precise measurement of each flue and of the chase top, including multi-flue chimneys
- Removal of nests, leaves and debris from the flue opening and smoke chamber
- Removal and disposal of the old rusted or damaged cap or chase cover
- Installation of a cap with mesh screening sized to keep animals and debris out
- Fabrication or fitting of a chase cover with sloped edges and a drip edge to shed water
- Sealing of seams and fasteners so water runs off instead of into the chase
- Before-and-after photos of the chimney top and a written summary of what we did
How our crew works on your roof and inside your home
Most of the work happens on the roof. We use the right ladders and roof protection for your building, and we secure tools and materials so nothing falls onto walkways, gardens or neighboring property. Caps are attached to the flue or the crown according to the design of your chimney, and chase covers are fastened to the chase framing and sealed along the edges.
When debris or nests have to come out of the flue, some of it ends up in the firebox. Before we start, we lay drop cloths from the door to the fireplace and seal the fireplace opening. We clear the flue with rotary brushes and use HEPA vacuums to collect the debris and fine soot so it doesn't drift into the room. If water damage or a cracked tile is suspected, we run a camera down the flue to look at the liner and the joints. You see what we see.
Time for your annual chimney check?
The standard we follow
We work to the NFPA 211 standard, which calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three levels of inspection. A Level 1 inspection fits when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is used when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. A Level 3 inspection is needed when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building.
Replacing a cap is often part of a larger picture. If your building is converting a boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of that work. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, and the cap has to suit the new liner.
What affects the price
Every chimney top is different, so we quote after we have seen yours. These are the main factors that change the scope of the job:
- Chimney height, roof pitch and how safely the crew can reach the top
- Fuel type, since wood, gas and oil flues need different cap designs
- The number, size and shape of the flues, and the condition of the flue tiles
- Whether a chase cover can be fitted from stock sizes or has to be custom made
- How much debris, nest material or buildup has to be removed first
- Whether a camera inspection is needed, or repairs to the crown, flue or chase
How a visit works
When you contact us, we ask about the type of fireplace or appliance, the age of the chimney and what you have noticed, such as leaks, noises or smells. We then schedule a visit at a time that works for you.
On the day, the technician inspects the chimney top, measures the flues or chase, and explains what needs to be done. If the right cap is on the truck, we can often install it during the same visit. Custom chase covers and unusual flue sizes are measured on the first visit and installed when fabrication is complete. Before we leave, we clean the work area and walk you through the photos.
Many owners book this work before the heating season. In New York City, heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. A cap that keeps the flue dry and clear helps your chimney work properly through those months.
