Chimney cap with mesh screen over clay flue liners on top of a brick chimney

Serving all of Southeast Michigan

Chimney Liners & Chimney Caps

The liner protects your chimney from the inside; the cap protects it from the top. When either one fails, the masonry pays for it. We inspect both and repair or replace what's needed.

60-point inspection, cleaning included
Photos of every finding
Estimate before any repair work

Call (586) 636-6424 Request an Inspection

Protection from the inside and the top

A flue liner is the channel inside the chimney that carries smoke and combustion gases up and out. It also shields the surrounding brick and the house framing from heat and corrosive byproducts. When a liner is cracked, gapped, or deteriorated, that protection is compromised, and it often can't be seen from the outside.

A chimney cap sits over the top of the flue. A good cap keeps rain and snow from pouring straight down the chimney and helps keep out animals, leaves, and debris. A missing or rusted-out cap is one of the simplest things to fix and one of the easiest to overlook.

Liners come in a few different types, and the right choice depends on your chimney and what it vents. We'll show you what we find inside the flue during the inspection and explain the options in plain language before recommending anything.

How our 60-point inspection and cleaning work

Don't wait on this

Signs of liner or cap problems

Missing or rusted cap
No cap, or one that's rusted through or bent, lets rain, animals, and debris into the flue.
Animals or nests in the chimney
Birds or critters getting in usually means there's no cap or the screen has failed.
Water in the firebox
Water dripping into the fireplace often comes straight down an uncapped flue.
Tile pieces in the fireplace
Bits of clay liner falling into the firebox can mean the flue liner is cracking.
Cracked or gapped liner
Damage inside the flue usually only shows up on a close inspection.
Strong odors
Persistent smoky or musty smells can point to moisture or deterioration inside the flue.

How it works

Inspect first. Then fix it right.

No guesswork and no surprises. You know what's wrong and what it costs before any work begins. If we uncover more damage, we stop and get your approval first.

1
Inspect the flue & top
We check the liner, cap, and crown as part of the 60-point inspection and photograph what we find.
2
Explain the options
You'll see the photos and get a plain explanation of what needs repair or replacement, and why.
3
Install or repair
Caps are fitted to your flue; liner work is done to suit your chimney and what it vents.
4
Final check
We confirm the cap and liner work are secure and walk you through what was done.

FAQ

Liners & Caps questions

Straight answers from the crew that does the work.

More FAQs

Do I really need a chimney cap?

A cap is one of the simplest ways to protect a chimney. It helps keep rain from running straight down the flue and helps keep out animals, leaves, and debris. If your chimney doesn't have one, or the one you have is damaged, it's usually worth addressing.

How can I tell if my chimney liner is damaged?

Liner damage usually isn't visible from the outside. Pieces of tile in the fireplace, water in the firebox, or strong odors can be clues, but the only way to know is a close inspection of the flue. We include the flue in our 60-point inspection.

What kind of liner is right for my chimney?

It depends on the chimney's size and condition and what it vents. After the inspection, we'll explain the options that make sense for your home and what each would cost.

Can a missing cap cause other damage?

Yes. Without a cap, water can enter the flue directly and contribute to deterioration of the liner, the damper area, and surrounding masonry. Animals and debris can also block the flue.

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