The National Fire Protection Association recommends a chimney cap!

NFPA 211, section 1-5.2, states
Chimney Cap	"A protective covering or housing for the top of a chimney intended to prevent the entry of rain, snow, animals, and birds, and to prevent downdrafts"
NFPA 211, section 1-11.2, states
Chimney Cap	Chimney or vent caps, where required for the termination of chimneys or vents, shall be designed to prevent the entry of rain, snow, and animals, including birds."

"I'm OK! I Have Screens Installed And They Seem To Work Just Fine!"
This is a common homeowner misconception. Screens that are properly installed can stop birds, animals, and debris which are, at the very least, a nuisance. That's important since squirrels and racoons can cause a great deal of damage and can often become a dangerous health hazard.

"You're Not OK, Screens Only Do Part Of The Job!"
Screens have two deficiencies. 1st, they're made of hardware cloth (chicken wire), not stainless steel, meaning they rust out every 3 to 4 years and need replacing. 2nd, and more important, screens don't stop water, and, as with everything else in the home, water causes damage. Look at the screen shown on the left. It provides no water protection whatsoever and a raccoon could easily remove it and gain access into the liner.

"As Long As We've Lived Here, We've Never Seen Any Water!"
Another common misconception. Each time it rains or snows, water drops directly down the opening. In masonry fireplace flues, the water collects on the backside of the damper causing it to rust and pit. This is why dampers get harder and harder to operate until they require replacement.

"OK, When It Really Pours, I Notice Some Dampness On The Bricks!"
During heavy rains, too much water collects on the damper. It then drips down the backwall of the firebox soaking into the brick and mortar. When a fire is lit, the backwall, which always takes the brunt of the flames, dries out very quickly. This causes stress on the mortar which will eventually begin to fall out. This is referred to as "Thermal Shock". The only remedy is to repoint the firebox. If left unattended long enough and the bricks start to collapse on each other, the entire firebox will need rebuilding.

"So, If I Don't Have A Fireplace, I Don't Need A Rain & Animal Guard!"
The worst misconception yet. The most serious water problem concerns your terra cotta flue liner. As stated earlier, a 100% stainless steel rain and animal guard should be properly installed on top of each individual opening. It doesn't matter if it's a fireplace, woodstove insert, freestanding stove, heatilator, or a flue to your gas or oil furnace;

"If The Flue Liner Goes Bad, I Just Won't Burn The Fireplace!"
After the terra cotta liner absorbs enough moisture, it starts to crumble and peel apart. This is condition is referred to as "Shaling". After enough liner has fallen away, the flue is no longer fire-safe and loses the ability to vent noxious fumes.

"If It's The Furnace Flue, Your Primary Source Of Heat, You Have No Choice!"
Your Furnace Flue is the primary source of heat in your home and must function properly. If relining becomes necessary, an average flue costs between $1400.00 and $2200.00. This situation can easily be avoided by simply protecting the flue system from water and following a regular schedule of cleaning based on your usage.

"Our Guards Are Unconditonally Guaranteed For The Life Of Your Home!"
Our 100% stainless steel rain and animal guards, are the finest available in the industry and carry a Manufacturer's Warranty and Guarantee against animal and bird entry for the life of the home. We at Priddy Clean Chimney Sweeps extend this guarantee 2 more ways.

"And We'll Put That Guarantee In Writing On Your Record Of Service!"
After proper installation by one of our Chimney Sweeps, if the guard ever blows off in a storm, we'll reinstall it, or replace it if damaged, at no additional charge. And, if the guard ever starts to rust, we'll replace it with a new one, again, at no additional charge to you. In short, unless you physically try to destroy it, we'll replace the guard, free of charge, no matter what happens to it. And as I stated above, we'll put it in writing on your Record Of Service as follows:

"This Is One Instance Where You Get What You Pay For!"
Please, don't confuse our guards with the $25.00 to $30.00 types sold in home improvement stores like Hechingers or Home Depot. These lesser quality guards are galvanized, not stainless steel, and will rust out in 3 to 4 years, leaving you with stains on your brickwork and having to replace the failed guard. They also lack the recommended clearance which can lead to drafting problems and consequently, smoke backing up into your home. Our price includes installation, will correct the problems I mentioned, and is the single, most important investment you can make for your chimney system.