Chimney Services

Chimney cap replacement done properly in Midway

Chimney cap replacement from local pros who measure first and fasten every cap by hand.

Spark arrestor mesh that meets the code

Arrestor screens on masonry chimneys are spelled out in the Florida Building Code. Mesh openings have to be small enough to catch a half-inch sphere yet large enough to pass a three-eighths-inch one, and the screen material has to match the heat and corrosion resistance of 19-gage galvanized or 24-gage stainless steel.

NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys and fireplaces, also addresses spark arrestors. We fit screens that meet the code in place of the finest mesh on the shelf, since mesh that is too fine clogs with soot and restricts the flue.

Rust streaks below the cap

Orange or brown streaks on the crown or down the brick usually start at the cap. When the coating on a steel cap wears through, rain carries rust across whatever lies below it. The stain is a cosmetic problem at first and a warning that the metal is thinning.

Replacing the cap with a corrosion-resistant one stops new staining. Existing streaks on brick can often be cleaned, and we tell you which masonry cleaners suit your chimney before anything touches the face of the brick.

Check for animals before closing the top

Scratching, chirping or bits of nest on the damper mean something may be living in the flue. A cap fitted over an occupied chimney traps the animal inside, where it can die or damage the flue trying to escape. Lighting a fire to drive it out is dangerous and, for some birds, illegal.

We look into the flue before any cap goes on. If animals are present, removal comes first and follows the wildlife rules that apply, and the cap goes on once the flue is empty.

Checks before we leave the roof

The job ends with a check. We pull on the cap to confirm it is fixed, look at it from each side to confirm it sits level and make sure the screen is intact and the lid is centered over the flue.

Back on the ground, we show you the new cap from the yard and explain how to spot a problem later. Our workmanship warranty covers the fit and fastening, and our 100% satisfaction guarantee covers the rest of the visit.