What is the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter? Does it Affect Santa’s Deliveries?

A chimney cap has a job to do. But has it ever stopped Santa Claus? According to holiday lore, nothing can stop Santa’s deliveries at holiday time. He simply uses a little Christmas magic to slip past the chimney cap. But what if the chimney cap is tight and secure (which it’s supposed to be…) Santa’s magic can give him access to the door, window, or other workarounds. No worries for you and the family. Your home stays protected year-round, and Santa still makes the delivery. With that very important information about Santa solved, then the question that needs to be answered is, what is the purpose of a chimney cap?

The Purpose of a Chimney Cap

As we all know and can see, the fire belongs in the fireplace whether it be a wood burning fire or gas enabled. The chimney flue, which you don’t see, is located directly above the fireplace so the rising smoke has a place to go and exit your home. However, don’t forget, that the chimney flue serves another purpose. Other appliances from your home can use the same chimney, different flue, to exit as your fireplace. These appliances can include gasses from the furnace, water heater, boiler or other fuel burning appliances.

The Function of the Chimney Cap

Let’s get down to the chimney cap itself. The chimney cap has numerous functions that help to protect your home.

• Protect from a downdraft – This is when air comes rushing down the chimney flue and into your home. If it’s winter, it definitely won’t be warm air.
• Protect from the weather elements – Rain, snow, and sleet seem to never just come straight down. We’re in the Chicagoland area, so wind always accompany rain, sleet and snow. That means it’s going to hit the chimney and chimney cap from various angles. This is where the elements are going to challenge the chimney cap, trying to find ways to getting past its guard. Keeping a tight and secure chimney cap to the chimney is vitally important for protection.
• Visitors such as animals – When the temperatures begin to change and even throughout the winter season, animals are searching for a nice, warm place for themselves and their family. You definitely do not want to start a fire or turn on the gas fireplace when critters are living in the chimney. The screen sides of the chimney cap keep the critters from crawling in – Raccoons, squirrels, birds and bats, to name just a few
• Protect from the collection of debris – When the leaves fall, wind blows, you can count on twigs, leaves and other items to blow through the air and land on the chimney. If there’s no chimney cap, magic (not necessarily Santa’s) directs the debris right down the chimney.
• Spark Arrestor – When sparks from your fire get carried by draft all the way up to the top of the chimney, just as they get carried pretty high up in the sky when you are at a bonfire, a quality professional chimney cap “arrests” or extinguishes these sparks before they land on your roof and such… Yeah, a big deal!

*Every chimney needs a cap for the same reasons, and more, that every home needs a roof!

Installing a Chimney Cap

Installing a chimney cap is simple, if you know what to do. It’s important to pick the right size and type as it sits directly on the chimney or flue opening. The bolts need to be snug and secure so it doesn’t move. The best way to ensure protection of your chimney flue and home is the have a Superior Chimney certified technician install a chimney cap. Contact us at 877-244-6349. Remember, a chimney cap will not affect Santa, be sure to let the kiddies know. And for you, now you know what the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter is. Happy Holidays!

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net