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Just imagine how much water would
come into you home during a rainstorm if you had a hole in
your roof 1 foot (12 inches) square? Chimney flues may
be even larger than that, so where does all that water
go? It runs down the chimney and seeps into the bricks
and mortar, settling behind the firebricks. There is
little air circulation in the chimney (unless you're using it)
and no sunlight, so the inside of the chimney stays wet long
after the rain stops. This moisture erodes the mortar
joints and weakens the brick. Add to this a freeze/thaw
cycle during cold months, and you have all the needed
ingredients for a deteriorating chimney.
Even though you can't see the damage
happening, it's there, slowly deteriorating your beautiful
fireplace and chimney. This is particularly important
consideration if you have a metal firebox incorporating a
metal damper and smoke shelf. All fireplace dampers made
of metal are subject to this deterioration as the water mixes
with creosote and mild acids are formed. Even chimneys
serving woodstoves are in need of a cover.
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Chimney caps are made from a variety of
materials. The most common are galvanized, stainless
steel, and copper. Caps made of stainless steel and
copper will last much longer than those made of regular
galvanized metal and normally carry an extended
warranty. Spending a little extra for a good quality
chimney cap will be money well spent and there will be no
danger of rust staining the chimney.
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