Chimney Cap Installation in Port Washington, Cedarburg & Mequon, WI
Think about what happens when you leave a cup outside in the rain. Now imagine that cup is your chimney , open at the top, pointing straight up at the sky. That’s exactly what a chimney without a cap looks like to water, animals, and everything else that falls from above.
It sounds simple, and it is. But you’d be surprised how many chimneys in this area are missing one, and how much damage a missing cap can cause over time.
We install chimney caps and chase covers for both traditional masonry chimneys and prefabricated chimney systems throughout the area.
How You’ll Know You Need One
Water coming straight into the fireplace
This one’s hard to miss. If rain is getting in without a cap, it falls directly down the flue , you’ll see puddles in the firebox, hear the drops hitting the metal damper during a storm, and smell that strong wet-ash odor that fills the room afterward. Unlike a flashing leak that shows up as a ceiling stain, this water takes the most direct route in.
Animals or insects coming in
This is the call that gets made immediately. Scratching or fluttering sounds behind the damper, a bird or squirrel stuck in the flue, wasps coming out of the fireplace , all of that means something found its way in through the top. A properly fitted cap with the right mesh stops all of it.
The old cap fell off or rusted out
Sometimes people find the cap in the yard after a storm. Other times they notice from the street that the cap is visibly rusted, bent, or barely hanging on. Either way, the chimney is exposed.
A home inspector flagged it
Caps show up on pre-purchase inspection reports regularly, and some insurance companies require one as a condition of coverage.
What Rick Installs, and Why Material Matters
Rick uses stainless steel (304 grade) for almost every cap he installs. It doesn’t rust, it handles Wisconsin winters without breaking down, and it lasts. For higher-end homes where the look matters, copper is a beautiful and equally durable option.
What we don’t install is galvanized steel. It’s cheap, and it acts like it. The coating fails in a few years, the metal rusts through, and it stains your brick orange on the way out. We’ve seen it too many times to recommend it.
A few details Rick pays attention to on every installation that make the difference between a cap that lasts and one that becomes a problem:
Mesh opening of 3/4″ , tight enough to keep animals and sparks out, open enough not to choke the airflow At least 5–6 inches of clearance between the cap top and the flue opening, so the draft isn’t restricted Stainless steel fasteners only , regular screws rust and make the cap nearly impossible to remove when it’s time for a cleaning
Chase Covers , The Silent Killer of Wood Framing
If your chimney is the kind with wood framing and siding on the outside (called a “chase”), it doesn’t use a traditional cap. It uses a chase cover, which is a large metal sheet that covers the whole top of the structure.
Homeowners who come to us with serious water damage inside their walls have shared a story we hear over and over: they noticed a small stain on the ceiling near the chimney. By the time someone opened up the siding, the OSB and 2×4 framing were so saturated with water they could push their finger through the wood like wet cardboard. The culprit, every time , a flat galvanized steel chase cover that had been quietly failing for years.
This is what makes chase cover failure so dangerous: the damage happens completely out of sight. The water works its way down the framing, the insulation, and the interior walls before anyone sees a single stain. By the time it’s visible, the repair isn’t just replacing the cover , it’s replacing the structural framing, the insulation, and resealing the entire chase. We’ve seen those repairs run from 8,000 or more.
The original chase covers installed by builders are almost always flat galvanized steel. The cheapest option available. Flat means water pools in the center instead of running off. Galvanized means the coating corrodes in 5–10 years, leaving micropores where water seeps through. And the storm collar sealant around the flue pipe degrades from UV exposure in 3–5 years, sending water straight down the outside of the pipe and onto the wood framing below.
When Rick replaces a chase cover, he installs stainless steel custom-fitted to your chimney, built the right way:
A cross-brake design (slight center crown) so water runs off instead of pooling A drip edge overhang of at least 1.5–2 inches on all sides so water falls clear of the siding A raised collar around the flue opening with a properly resealed storm collar Fasteners on the sides only , never screwed through the top where water follows the holes in
| Element | Original Builder Cover | What Rick Installs |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Galvanized steel (rusts in 5–10 yrs) | Stainless steel 304 (lasts indefinitely) |
| Surface | Flat (water pools in the center) | Cross-brake design (water runs off) |
| Fasteners | Screwed through the top | Side-mounted only |
| Edge | Flush with the siding | Drip edge overhang 1.5–2 inches |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a chimney cap last?
A stainless steel or copper cap installed correctly can last the life of the chimney. Galvanized steel caps typically fail within 5–10 years in Wisconsin’s climate. That’s why we don’t install them.
Does a chimney cap affect the draft?
Only if it’s the wrong size or installed incorrectly. A properly sized cap with the right clearance between the top of the cap and the flue opening (at least 5–6 inches) doesn’t restrict airflow. An undersized cap, or one installed too low , can restrict draft and cause smoke to back up into the house.
Will homeowners insurance cover a damaged or missing cap?
If the cap was damaged by a storm or falling debris, many policies will cover the replacement. If it simply corroded over time, that’s considered normal wear and typically isn’t covered. Document storm damage with photos before calling your insurer.
Can I install a chimney cap myself?
The cap itself isn’t complicated, but getting on the roof safely and measuring the flue correctly are where DIY jobs go wrong. An improperly sized or seated cap can restrict draft, come loose in wind, or leave gaps that still let water and animals in. It’s a small job. Rick can usually handle it the same day he’s already on the roof for something else.
What’s the difference between a chimney cap and a chase cover?
A chimney cap sits over the flue opening of a masonry chimney. A chase cover is a large metal sheet that covers the entire top of a prefabricated wood-framed chimney chase. They solve the same problem , keeping water and animals out, but they’re two completely different components for two completely different chimney types.
Why Homeowners Choose Real Chimneys
Every job is handled by Rick, our lead technician with over 8 years of hands-on chimney experience, not a subcontractor. We respond fast (often same day), give you a clear price before we start, and we stand behind our work. If something isn’t right, we come back and make it right.
Missing a Cap, or Dealing With a Rusted Chase Cover?
Don’t leave your chimney open to whatever falls from the sky. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, Milwaukee, and Waukesha Counties, along the I-43 corridor and Lake Michigan shoreline. See our full service area.
Call us today to schedule your free chimney cap inspection.
