Chimney Caps Fitted in Kinneloa Mesa

On a calm day a cap seems like a simple lid. Up near the San Gabriels it has to stand up to Santa Ana gusts, winter storms and the occasional falling branch, all while letting smoke out freely. We fit caps made of stainless steel or copper, with screws or clamps sized to the flue tile, and on wide crowns a cover that spans every flue and fastens to the masonry. The mesh on the sides acts as a spark screen. In high fire hazard areas that screen is the line between a stray ember and dry roof debris, so we check its opening size and replace any screen that has rusted or been bent.

Installed caps run from $165 to $670 here. Single-flue stainless caps sit at the low end; copper and multi-flue covers made to the crown's size sit higher. We bring common sizes on the truck, so many installs happen on the same visit as a sweep or inspection. If the crown under the cap is cracked, we tell you before fastening anything to it, because a new cap will not stop water that comes through a broken crown.

A stainless liner installed with an insert or stove finishes at the top with its own plate and usually its own cap. If you buy a cap today and an insert next spring, the first cap often comes off and goes in the recycling. That is why we ask about upgrade plans before quoting a cap. When an insert is a real possibility within the year, we may suggest a short-term fix, such as screening the existing cap or a temporary cover, and then fit one cap sized for the liner at install time.

If no upgrade is planned, there is no reason to wait. A missing or damaged cap lets rain soak the smoke chamber and damper, invites birds and raccoons, and leaves the flue open to embers. The repair bill that follows is far larger than the cap. We look at your situation, tell you which choice saves money, and write it down so there are no surprises later.