Chase covers fit over the top, outermost opening of your chimney and are designed to keep precipitation, debris and animals out of your chimney. Most modern chase covers are custom made from stainless steel to fit perfectly, whereas the ones that were installed by the builder when your home was constructed of a very thin-gauge sheet metal, which may have been bent by hand onsite (which probably resulted in a poor-fitting cover from the beginning). Having a chase cover that does what it’s supposed to do is extremely important and absolutely necessary for the longevity of your entire chimney system. Because of the job it performs a fully functional chase cover is more than an option—it’s a necessity!
Chase Cover Material Options
There are three main materials used in the production of chimney chase covers: galvanized steel, copper and stainless steel. Galvanized steel covers are the least expensive of the bunch; unfortunately, they rust quickly and may need to be replaced every few years. Copper is, by far, the highest quality choice and is accompanied by the largest price tag as well; if you find yourself in the market for that particular look (and can afford the additional cost associated with it), you can’t go wrong with copper. Stainless steel is the strongest of the three materials. It costs a bit more up front than galvanized steel, however, the mere fact that it won’t rust through in a few years and should never need to be replaced again more than makes up for the increased initial investment.
Rust and Your Chase Cover
Many homeowners aren’t aware that their galvanized chase cover has begun to rust because it’s all the way up on top of the chimney, which isn’t exactly the easiest place to see. Sometimes it’s easier to spot a rusted chase cover after it has rained. This is due to the fact that when the water runs off of the chimney cap and down the sides of your chimney, it carries the rust down the sides with it, leaving stains and discoloration in its wake. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to have this problem repaired as quickly as possible to prevent more significant damage to the chimney system from occurring. If rust damage isn’t repaired, the middle of the cover may begin to sink in, which will cause it to accumulate water, leaves and other debris. This puts additional stress on your already damaged cover, which could cause it to cave in completely if left untreated.
Replacing Your Old Chase Cover
If you’re in the market for a chase cover for your chimney, either as a replacement for a damaged cover or as an enhancement for your chimney, contact us today. Our professional technicians will inspect your entire chimney system and, if necessary, will properly fit a chase cover to your chimney’s exact dimensions. It is this customization that helps to ensure that your chimney is properly sealed from the elements; a one-size-fits-most style of chase cover simply cannot provide the same level of protection.
The pros at Environmental Chimney Service understand that the safety of your family includes protecting them from any potential danger from fire and illnesses caused by not keeping your chimney appliance in top working condition. No matter what your chimney or vent needs, contact us today! We take great pride in our work, and endeavor to provide each of our clients a chimney that is environmentally safe for your family.