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Chimney Cap Replacement in Seattle
Rusted, missing or undersized cap? We fit a stainless cap that keeps rain, birds and sparks out of your flue. Free quote, price match plus 10-25% off.
- Free 2nd-opinion quotes
- Price match + 10–25% discount
- Same-day service often available
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A chimney cap is the hooded, screened cover on top of the flue opening. It keeps rain from pouring straight down the flue, stops birds and raccoons from getting in, and catches embers before they land on the roof. When a cap rusts through, blows off, or was never installed, the flue is open to everything the sky sends. We replace failed caps and install new ones on masonry and factory-built chimneys across Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and the road-accessible Puget Sound.
This page is about the cap itself. If you have a framed, sided chimney with a flat metal lid that is rusting and streaking the siding, that is a chase cover, covered on our chase cover replacement page. A cap sits on the flue pipe or clay tile; a chase cover is the lid over the whole chase. Many prefab chimneys need both, and we check both on every visit.
Seattle homes have a median build year of 1976, so many chimneys still carry the original galvanized cap. With about 40 inches of rain a year, a failing cap is the fastest way to put water inside a chimney.
Symptoms
Signs you need chimney cap replacement
- Rust stains running down the cap, the crown or the top courses of brick
- The cap is missing, bent, or lying in the yard after a wind storm
- Birds, squirrels or raccoons getting into the flue, or nesting noises above the damper
- Water dripping into the firebox after heavy rain with no other obvious entry point
- Cap rattles or lifts in the wind because the legs or band no longer grip the flue
- Screen mesh plugged with creosote so the fire smokes into the room
Common causes
- Galvanized steel caps corrode in constant wet weather and rust through
- Wrong-size cap clamped to the flue tile without a proper fit, so wind works it loose
- Cap was never installed, common on older masonry chimneys that were built open
- Mesh spacing too fine for a wood-burning flue, so creosote plugs the screen
- Raccoons pry off a light cap to get into a warm flue
How It Works
Our chimney cap replacement process
Before we quote a cap, we confirm the cap is the problem. We measure the flue opening, count the flues, check the crown the cap sits on, and look into the flue for nesting material or debris. On prefab chimneys we identify the pipe brand and size so the new cap matches the listed system. If the crown is cracked or the chase cover is rusting, we tell you, because a new cap on a failed crown does not stop a leak.
Measure and match
We measure the flue tile or pipe, count flues, and choose a single-flue, multi-flue or top-mount cap that fits your chimney and fuel type.
Clear the opening
Any nest, leaves or loose debris at the top of the flue comes out before the new cap goes on, so the old problem is not sealed inside.
Remove and set
We take off the rusted or damaged cap, clean the flue tile or pipe collar, and fasten the new cap with stainless hardware or the listed twist-lock. Nothing is held on by sealant alone.
Seal and check
We seal the contact points, confirm the screen clearance for draft, and look at the crown and flashing while we are up there so you have the full picture.
Options
Repair and service options
Cap choice comes down to material, flue count and what you are trying to keep out.
- Stainless steel is our standard recommendation for the Puget Sound. It does not rust in wet weather and comes in single-flue, multi-flue and oversized sizes.
- Copper is a cosmetic upgrade for visible chimneys on older Seattle and Tacoma homes; same job, higher cost.
- Galvanized is the cheapest option and the one we usually find rusted through. We install it on request after explaining the trade-off.
- Multi-flue and top-mount caps cover two or more flues under one hood and bolt to the crown. They also shade the crown from rain, which helps older concrete crowns last.
- Prefab caps must match the pipe brand and size. We use the listed cap for your system, not a generic one.
If the crown under the cap is cracked, ask about crown repair on the same visit. We price match a written quote and take 10-25% off.
Pricing
What affects the price
- Single-flue vs multi-flue vs full top-mount cap
- Material: galvanized, stainless or copper
- Prefab chimney brand and pipe diameter (listed caps cost more than generic ones)
- Roof pitch and chimney height, which affect setup and safety equipment
- Debris or nesting material in the flue that has to be removed first
- Whether the crown or chase cover needs work at the same time
Every chimney is different, so you get a written quote after we look at the system. Ask about our price match and free second-opinion quote.
Safety & Seattle Conditions
Safety considerations
Please do not go on the roof to look at or reattach a cap. Wet, mossy Seattle roofs make cap work a job for people with the right equipment. If a cap has blown off, call us; we can often replace it the same day.
If you hear animals in the flue, do not light a fire to drive them out. We handle animal and nest removal before the cap goes on.
Seattle & Puget Sound conditions
Sea-Tac's 1991-2020 normal is 40.34 inches of rain a year, and about 73% of it falls between October and March, the months you want to use the fireplace. November alone averages 6.31 inches. An open flue takes that water straight to the smoke shelf and damper. Seattle also sees about 60 days a year that touch freezing while winter lows average around 37F, so wet masonry at the chimney top freezes and thaws repeatedly, which the Brick Industry Association links to cracking and spalling. A cap is one of the cheapest ways to keep that masonry dry.
Our Work
Chimney Cap Replacement in action
Get a free chimney cap quote
Call 206-453-2045. Free quote, free second opinion, price match plus 10-25% off, and if you're not happy, we're not done.
☎ 206-453-2045 Request a QuoteQuestions
Chimney Cap Replacement FAQ
Do I need a chimney cap in Seattle?
If your flue is open, yes. A cap keeps rain out of the flue, keeps birds and raccoons out, and catches embers from a wood fire. With about 40 inches of rain a year and most of it in fireplace season, an open flue is a leak waiting to show up in the firebox. We install caps on masonry and factory-built chimneys and quote it free.
What is the difference between a chimney cap and a chase cover?
A cap is the hooded, screened piece on top of the flue pipe or clay tile. A chase cover is the flat metal lid over a framed, sided chimney chase, and the cap sits on top of it. If your problem is rust streaks down the siding, see our chase cover replacement page. Many prefab chimneys need both.
Can you repair a chimney cap instead of replacing it?
Sometimes. A stainless cap with a loose screen or a bent hood can be re-secured or straightened. A galvanized cap that has started to rust is not worth repairing because the rust keeps going. We tell you which case you have and quote both options when both make sense.
What kind of chimney cap is best for a wood-burning fireplace?
Stainless steel with a screen sized for wood burning. The screen stops embers and animals, but if the mesh is too fine it plugs with creosote and chokes the draft. We match mesh size to your fuel, and if the old screen was heavily coated we suggest a sweep, because the flue usually is too.
Will a new cap stop my chimney leak?
Only if the cap is the entry point. Water also gets in through cracked crowns, failed flashing, rusted chase covers and porous brick. Before we sell you a cap for a leak, we look at all of those. If you are not sure where the water comes from, start with chimney leak repair.
How fast can you replace a chimney cap?
Same-day service is often available for cap replacement in Seattle, Renton, Tacoma and Everett, since it is a quick job once we have the right size on the truck. Call 206-453-2045, tell us whether the chimney is brick or sided, and we will tell you what we can do today.
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