Chimney Chase Covers – Importance of Installing a Cover for Your Chimney

Rusting can be more than just visually unappealing

One of the major reasons for installing a chimney chase cover is to protect it from rusting. Installation of a chimney chase cover also prevents debris, small animals and birds, snow and water from entering the house. Both internal and external rusting can have unwanted repercussions not only on the chimney but also on the cover. Rusting can be a serious problem as it reduces the strength of the metal and makes it more brittle. As a result, your chimney becomes weak and less immune to the high temperatures within it. In extreme cases of rusting, chimneys are also burst. Therefore, installation of chimney chase covers is important not only for cosmetic reasons but for safety reasons as well.

The best chimney chase covers to use

There are a number of chimney chase covers available in the market. Use of low quality galvanized sheet metal is as good as installing no cover at all because they offer very low protection. Color Clad is a good material for chimney covers and so are aluminum and stainless steel. When you buy a cover for your chimney, you can choose to have a custom made cover in order to enhance protection.

Chimney Chase Cover – A Must Have For Every Home That Has a Chimney

Why use chimney chase covers?

Have you ever found water dripping into your home trough the chimney, or perhaps a little squirrel or a cat fall into the house through it? In rough weather conditions, have you had wind blows debris entering your house? If you have had such problems, then fitting a chimney chase cover is the best solution. These perfect lids for the chimney prevent all such problems. In addition to all these issues, chimney chase covers provide a huge benefit – they prevent rusting of the chimney. It is not only essential but mandatory to have a chimney chase cover fitted to your chimney.

How should the design of the chimney chase cover be?

The major rule is that the design should not let water clog. There should be ample draining facility so that rusting does not occur. Further, you can choose chase covers that have holes for more than one flue. Such covers help you cover the entire chimney and yet, accommodate multiple flues. If you have such a chimney at home, it is best if you have your chimney chase cover custom designed.  However, ensure that the diameters of the holes are exactly provided so that there are no gaps through which water can leak.

Chimney Chase Covers – What Are The Best Types Of Covers To Use?

Stainless steel

Stainless steel chimney chase covers are by far the best chase covers, due to a number of reasons. Firstly, they are resistant to all weather conditions. They do not weaken for extreme sun or rust during rains and snow. They are extremely good to resist freezing and thawing and remain unaffected. You can either go in for a plain chimney chase cover or choose one that is galvanized. However, galvanized steel is not recommended since they are more prone to rusting. If you already have a galvanized steel chimney or the cover, then you have to get a stainless steel chase cover fitted over it. With stainless, even if there is a bit of rusting, removal is very easy. Stains can also be easily removed.

Aluminum

The other recommended material for chimney chase covers is aluminum. Aluminum is as good as stainless steel and highly resistant to corrosion. High grade aluminum is also used for all outdoor uses including aircraft parts and outdoor furniture. Aluminum is easy to maintain and cost effective. In fact, aluminum is more cost effective than stainless steel. With all these benefits, these two metals are the best for chimney covers. They are log lasting and offer a great return on your investment not just by being durable but by protecting the chimney as well.