Rain cap
- What it does
- Covers the flue outlet to help keep rain, leaves and debris out.
- Signs it needs attention
- Missing, rusted through, bent or loose
Hallandale Beach, FL
Chimney Caps & Dampers in Hallandale Beach, FL
Best Chimney Sweep offers chimney cap and damper service in Hallandale Beach and in nearby communities. A cap protects the top of the chimney. A damper closes the flue when the fireplace is not in use.
Cover the top
A rain cap sits over the flue outlet and helps keep rain and debris out.
Stop the sparks
A spark arrestor is a screen at the top of the flue that stops sparks from leaving it.
Close the flue
A damper shuts the flue between fires, so the chimney is not left open to the room.
Top to bottom
What caps and dampers do, and when they need attention
Spark arrestor screen
- What it does
- A mesh screen that stops sparks leaving the top of the flue.
- Signs it needs attention
- Torn, clogged or missing mesh
Masonry cap (crown)
- What it does
- The sloped top of a masonry chimney that sheds water away from the flue.
- Signs it needs attention
- Cracks, flat spots or missing pieces. See chimney repair
Damper
- What it does
- A plate or door that closes the flue when the fireplace is not in use.
- Signs it needs attention
- Sticks, will not close fully, or lets drafts through
Chimney caps and dampers in Hallandale Beach homes
A fireplace here can go a long time between fires, since homes in Hallandale Beach need very little heating. Through all that time the top of the flue stays open to the weather unless something covers it, and the damper is the only thing between the flue and the room.
Dampers come in two main kinds. A throat damper sits just above the firebox, inside the chimney. A top-sealing damper closes the flue at the top of the chimney instead.
Size matters with caps. The Florida Building Code requires the open area under a rain cap on a masonry chimney to be at least four times the area of the flue outlet it serves, so a cap has to be matched to the flue.
Cap, crown or damper?
Problems at the top of a chimney are easy to mix up. This is how they usually divide.
Chimney cap and damper questions
What is the difference between a chimney cap and a chimney crown?
The crown is the masonry top of the chimney itself. A chimney cap usually means the metal cover fitted over the flue. The building code calls the masonry top a cap too, which is why the words get mixed up.
Does every chimney need a spark arrestor?
The Florida Building Code sets requirements for a spark arrestor where one is installed, including its mesh size and open area, and that it can be removed for cleaning.
Why does the size of a rain cap matter?
The building code requires the open area under a rain cap on a masonry chimney to be at least four times the area of the flue outlet, so the cap does not restrict the flue it covers.
Our other chimney services
Areas we serve
Besides Hallandale Beach, Best Chimney Sweep serves these nearby cities.
Chimney caps and dampers in Hallandale Beach
Call Best Chimney Sweep, or email info@bestchimneysweeppro.com.