Do chimney caps need to be inspected or replaced?
Yes — Swannanoa is rebuilding after the storm, and a lot of those Grovemont-era masonry chimneys are getting a fresh look for the first time in decades, cap included. If yours came through, have it inspected this year; replace it when it rusts, loosens, or its screen is gone.
Rebuilding is a chance to do the cap right
Swannanoa is deep in recovery from the recent storm, and a lot of its Grovemont-area homes — 1940s through 60s builds with original masonry fireplaces — are being renovated or rebuilt for the first time in decades. When a chimney is already opened up and being worked on, that's the moment to put a proper stainless cap and a sound crown on it, rather than wrestling a rusted galvanized one back into place.
We're seeing steady demand for new fireplace and stove installs in rebuilt Swannanoa homes, and the cap is the small piece that protects the big investment. It's one of the least expensive things you'll do to a rebuilt chimney and one of the most important. Get it right during the rebuild and it's decades before you think about it again; skip it and you're inviting water back into a chimney you just repaired.
River fog is hard on masonry
Swannanoa's river-valley fog, cold-air pooling, and generally damp air are tough on masonry chimneys all year — dampers rust, caps corrode, and crowns and mortar take on water. A cap that keeps rain out is the cheapest protection the chimney has against that slow damage, and it's checked as part of any sweep or inspection. Galvanized won't last in this air; stainless will.
We're only about 15 minutes east of our Emma Rd showroom in Buncombe County, so Swannanoa Village, Bee Tree, and the Owen area are a quick trip for a cap check or a full inspection. A short drive means we can look before the next wet spell rather than after. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
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