Chimney cap installation. Stop rain, animals, and downdrafts.
An uncapped chimney is an open invitation to rain, raccoons, and the seagulls that swoop through the canyons. We install lifetime-warranty stainless steel caps sized to your flue with full perimeter mesh that meets the spark arrester requirement in San Diego County's high fire severity zones.
What's included in this service?
- Single-flue stainless caps in standard and custom sizes
- Multi-flue caps for older chimneys with shared crowns
- Full chase covers for prefab chimneys (replaces the failed factory cover)
- Spark arrester mesh that meets San Diego County fire code
- Animal exclusion mesh sized for raccoons, birds, and bats
- Draft-improving cap designs (windcap) for chimneys with downdraft issues
- Removal and disposal of failed factory cap or chase cover
When do you need this service?
- Rain or snow falls into the firebox during storms
- Birds, bats, raccoons, or squirrels are nesting in the flue
- You hear scratching, chirping, or thumping from the chimney
- Your home is in a high or very high fire severity zone (most of inland SD)
- Existing cap is rusted, dented, or missing mesh
- Smoke spills back into the room because of downdraft
What do homeowners ask about Cap Install?
Do I really need a chimney cap?
Yes. CalFire requires spark arresters on chimneys in fire severity zones — and most of inland San Diego County qualifies. A cap also keeps rain out (preventing flue and crown damage), keeps animals out (preventing nests, smoke backups, and dead-animal odors), and improves draft. Caps are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a chimney.
What is the spark arrester requirement?
California Building Code requires a spark arrester on any chimney serving solid fuel in a Wildland-Urban Interface zone. The mesh must be 12-gauge or heavier with openings 3/8" minimum and 1/2" maximum. All our caps meet this code by default.
How long do stainless caps last?
Our standard stainless steel caps come with a lifetime warranty against rust-through. Galvanized caps (the old standard) rust through in 5–8 years near the coast. Copper caps last 50+ years but cost 3x as much. We default to stainless because it gives the best value.
My chimney has two flues. Do I need two caps?
You need either two single-flue caps or one multi-flue cap that covers both. Multi-flue caps look cleaner from the curb but require a precise crown measurement. We measure and recommend during the visit.
Can a cap fix a downdraft problem?
Sometimes. Wind-baffle (windcap) designs use the wind to actually pull air up the flue instead of pushing it down. They work for chimneys shorter than nearby trees or roof peaks. If the downdraft comes from a too-large flue or a stack-effect issue, the cap will not solve it — we will tell you.
Where do we offer Cap Install in San Diego County?
We provide cap install in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See cap install in all 48 cities
Homeowners who hired us for this
Bought our 1980s house with no service history on the fireplace. Their camera scan found a cracked clay tile we never would have spotted. Sweep was dust-free — couldn't tell they'd been in our living room. Written report in my inbox the next morning.
Called for a leak that two roofers had blamed on the roof. Their tech ran a hose test and showed me it was the crown — pictures and everything. Crown rebuild stopped the leak the same week. Honest work and clear pricing.
Raccoons in the chimney for two seasons. Other companies wanted to sell me a full inspection package first. Draft Pro came out, installed a stainless cap with proper mesh, and the noises stopped that night. Fair price.
Need cap install in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.