When was the last time you thought about your chimney? As the holiday season approaches, families turn to their fireplace for warmth, sending smoke up their chimney that likely has not been used in months.

While chimney protection is often forgotten due to the chimney’s seasonal use, your chimney should be top of mind as the temperature continues to drop. An unguarded chimney invites water seeping in, determined wildlife and debris accumulation, spelling potential trouble for your home this winter.

A properly installed chimney cap can prevent these problems by creating a ventilated blockade against unwanted chimney intruders.

A chimney cap is a small but vital piece of equipment that plays a critical role in protecting your chimney. Many homeowners are unaware of the potential damage caused by a chimney without a cap, as a chimney is only used – and problems uncovered – during the winter months.

A chimney cap is a metal covering with wire mesh that is installed on top of your chimney. It can be made of various metals depending on chimney type and the homeowner’s budget. There are three primary reasons to install a chimney cap: Water damage prevention, protection from intrusive wildlife and debris accumulation prevention.

Water Damage Prevention

A chimney cap stops water from rain, snow and ice from flowing down your chimney. Water that enters from the chimney can cause damage to the surrounding areas of your home, including attics, interior ceilings and walls.

Protection From Intrusive Wildlife

Small, intrusive animals are more likely to take up residence in a chimney during the winter months as they seek shelter from the cold. The mesh screen sides of a chimney cap prevent small wildlife, such as squirrels, birds and raccoons, from entering a chimney while also allowing for proper airflow for smoke.

Debris Accumulation Prevention

The metal top of a chimney cap and the wire mesh sides can prevent leaves, twigs and other debris from falling into your chimney. This type of naturally occurring debris can obstruct airflow of smoke rising from the chimney and is highly flammable, which means added risk for your home when the chimney is in operation.

Chimney caps are worth consideration thanks to their various applications and important roles in protecting your home. We know your home an important investment and keeping that investment safe is critical. Go Pro Wildlife Removal has the expertise to deliver the best solutions for your chimney challenges.

If you do not have a chimney cap but are looking for ways to protect your chimney as we approach the holidays, Go Pro Wildlife Removal has a solution wrapped and ready for you! We offer chimney cap installation, including custom cap design if necessary, to keep your chimney wildlife free so you can focus on enjoying the holiday season.

Chimney cap selection involves careful consideration of the material, size and design. Materials such as stainless steel, copper and galvanized steel offer durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Size depends on your chimney, and a tightly fitted cap is critical to prevent wildlife and debris from entering your chimney. Design varies from single flue to multi-flue – the inner passageway of a chimney -and depends on chimney structure plus aesthetic preference. The Go Pro team has the knowledge to guide you in the right direction.

Our chimney caps use wire mesh, which acts as a protective barrier against wildlife such as racoons, bats and squirrels while allowing proper ventilation of smoke from your chimney. The caps Go Pro uses are made of stainless steel, meet all state specifications and codes and block moisture that can cause water damage and rust in your home. Once size, fit and design are determined for your specific chimney, our team will conduct proper installation to ensure the cap fits perfectly, allowing you to enjoy the warmth of a fire without wildlife crashing the party.

Contact Go Pro Wildlife Removal today for a free inspection and quote to help protect your chimney this winter.