If your chimney is not in current use, there are several important reasons you should consider investing in a chimney cap:
1.) Squirrels, mice and other critters love to make nests inside the top of chimney flues
2.) Bats use the chimney as a safe hiding place or an accidental portal into your home
3.) Birds called chimney swifts make nests on the fireplace damper in the chimney, making it retain lots of moisture and damaging the opening mechanism.
4.) Heavy rains can drip into the open fireplace and corrode the inside of an unlined chimney
I install stainless steel caps that will last a lifetime. They also have removable tops to allow for cleaning the flues. Don’t do the easy thing and overlook chimney maintenance. It’s important to care for every aspect of your house so that it will take care of you.