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Chimney Caps and Dampers in Olathe, KS
A chimney cap keeps rain, animals and sparks out of the flue, and a damper keeps heated air in the house when the fireplace is not in use. Absolute Chimney Sweepers fits and replaces caps, chase covers and dampers in Olathe and 20 nearby towns, 7 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.
Call (913) 210-6606Open 7 days a week · 7:00 am – 9:00 pm · Last updated October 3, 2026
What does a chimney cap do?
A cap closes the top of the flue to everything except smoke. Without one, rain runs straight down the flue and into the liner, the damper and the firebox, where it rusts metal and breaks down mortar. Birds and animals move into an open flue, and burning embers can leave it. A cap with mesh sides stops all three, and a hood over the opening cuts down wind-driven downdrafts.
How do I know if my chimney needs a new cap?
- There is no cap at all, which is common on chimneys built before the 1980s.
- Rust streaks run down the chimney or the chase below the cap.
- The mesh is torn, missing or clogged with soot.
- The cap has lifted or shifted in the wind.
- Water, leaves or nesting material show up in the firebox.
Which chimney cap material is best?
Stainless steel, for most homes. The table compares the three common choices.
| Material | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | Lowest price. Rusts within a few years, and the rust stains the masonry below it. |
| Stainless steel | Does not rust. Most come with a long or lifetime warranty. The usual recommendation. |
| Copper | Same lifespan as stainless, chosen for its look. The highest price. |
A single-flue cap clamps onto the flue tile. A chimney with two or more flues, or a damaged top, gets a multi-flue cap that covers the whole top of the chimney and bolts to the masonry.
Is a chase cover the same as a chimney cap?
No. A chase cover is the metal sheet that closes the top of the framed, sided chase around a factory-built chimney; the cap sits on the pipe that comes through it. Both are checked at the same time, and a rusted galvanized chase cover is replaced with a stainless one.
What does a chimney damper do?
The damper closes the flue when the fireplace is not in use, so heated air does not escape up the chimney. A throat damper is the cast-iron plate at the top of the firebox, operated by a handle or chain. A top-sealing damper is mounted at the top of the flue and closed by a cable from inside, and it seals far more tightly because it closes on a gasket.
How do I know if my damper needs replacing?
- It is stuck open or closed, or the handle has broken off.
- Cold air pours down the chimney into the room in winter.
- The plate is rusted through, warped or no longer sits in its frame.
- You can see daylight around the closed plate from inside the firebox.
What do caps and dampers cost in Olathe?
The price depends on the size and number of flues, the material, whether a multi-flue cover or custom chase cover is needed, and how hard the top of the chimney is to reach.
Keep the rain and the raccoons out
Call (913) 210-6606Caps and dampers FAQ
Can a chimney cap make a fireplace smoke?
Yes, if the mesh is clogged with soot and creosote or the cap is too small for the flue. Either one restricts the draft, and smoke backs into the room. Cleaning the mesh usually solves it; if the cap is the wrong size, it is replaced.
Should I close the damper when the fireplace is not in use?
Yes, but only when the fire is completely out and the ashes are cold. Closing the damper over a fire that is still smoldering traps carbon monoxide in the house. Once the firebox is cold, a closed damper keeps heated air in the room.
Why is there water in my firebox after it rains?
The most likely cause is a missing cap, which lets rain fall straight down the flue. If the chimney has a cap, the water is probably coming through a cracked crown or failed flashing and running down inside. An inspection finds which.
Do gas fireplaces need a chimney cap?
A masonry fireplace with gas logs in it uses the original flue and needs the same cap as a wood-burning fireplace. A direct-vent gas fireplace vents through its own pipe with a termination cap made for it, and does not use a chimney cap.
What is a damper clamp?
A damper clamp is a small bracket that holds a throat damper permanently open. It is required by gas log manufacturers and most codes when vented gas logs are installed in a masonry fireplace, so that the flue can never be closed while the logs are burning.
How long does a chimney cap last?
A galvanized cap lasts a few years before rust sets in. A stainless steel or copper cap lasts for decades, and most stainless caps are sold with a lifetime warranty. The mesh on any cap needs clearing of soot from time to time.
A cap and a working damper protect the whole chimney
Open 7 am to 9 pm, seven days a week, in Olathe and 20 surrounding towns.
Call (913) 210-6606