Comments for Sherwood Inspection Services, LLC | Home Inspections | Commercial Inspections | 1708 Ellington Road, South Windsor CT | Offices in Easthampton MA | Southington CT | Springfield MA | Fairfield CT http://sherwoodinspection.com Professional Home Inspections and Commercial Building Inspections Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:07:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Comment on The Importance of Chimney Protection by Frank http://sherwoodinspection.com/blog/the-importance-of-chimney-protection/#comment-8 Frank Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:07:26 +0000 http://sherwoodinspection.com/?p=355#comment-8 Cracks in the concrete wash (cap) are very common. Small cracks can generally be sealed/caulked and then monitored. Large cracks or numerous cracks should be repaired by a Mason (Chimney Contractor). Often times the wash or cap has to be rebuilt. Another common problem is separation or a gap between the top of the chimney brick and the wash cap which can also allow water penetration and subsequent deterioration. The rain cap or spark arrestor as it is commonly known helps prevent hot ash or sparks from getting on the roof and prevents entry of rain, animals, etc. I have been told by Chimney contractors that a single rain cap that fits across the top of the entire chimney is preferable to having individual covers when there are multiple flue liners because sometimes a rain cover can actually direct water down into a lower flue liner causing water related damage. Cracks in the concrete wash (cap) are very common. Small cracks can generally be sealed/caulked and then monitored. Large cracks or numerous cracks should be repaired by a Mason (Chimney Contractor). Often times the wash or cap has to be rebuilt. Another common problem is separation or a gap between the top of the chimney brick and the wash cap which can also allow water penetration and subsequent deterioration.

The rain cap or spark arrestor as it is commonly known helps prevent hot ash or sparks from getting on the roof and prevents entry of rain, animals, etc. I have been told by Chimney contractors that a single rain cap that fits across the top of the entire chimney is preferable to having individual covers when there are multiple flue liners because sometimes a rain cover can actually direct water down into a lower flue liner causing water related damage.

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