One-Stop Chimney Service
Service Area Ansonia, CT
A chimney is essentially a vertical opening in your home—excellent for venting, but also a tempting path for rain, snow, wind, wildlife, and odors. A properly sized chimney cap sheds water and keeps out animals and debris. A top-sealing damper closes tightly at the flue top to stop conditioned air loss and downdrafts. Waterproofing protects porous masonry from absorbing moisture that leads to staining, spalling brick, and mortar erosion. Together, these upgrades extend the life of your chimney and make your fireplace or heating appliance easier and safer to live with.
A cap is more than a metal lid. The best caps feature a spark arrestor screen, a robust rain hood, and an attachment system that resists wind uplift. In Ansonia, CT, we commonly replace undersized or rusted caps that let water pour into the flue or allow birds and squirrels to nest. We install stainless steel and premium powder-coated caps that won’t corrode, and we custom-size multi-flue caps to cover large crowns cleanly.
Traditional throat dampers leak air even when “closed,” wasting heated or cooled air and allowing musty odors to drift into the room. A top-sealing damper mounts at the flue top with a stainless housing and a silicone gasket that seals like a storm window. You open and close it from the firebox with a low-profile cable handle. When shut, it blocks downdrafts and serves as a de facto cap; when open, it provides a full, unobstructed path for exhaust.
Brick and mortar are naturally porous. Without treatment, they absorb rain and melting snow, which then freezes and expands—breaking down the surface over time. We apply a breathable, vapor-permeable silane-siloxane treatment that prevents water from soaking in while allowing trapped moisture to escape. This is crucial—non-breathable coatings can actually trap water and accelerate damage. Our products are made specifically for vertical masonry and last for years with normal exposure.
Even with a great cap and waterproofed brick, poor flashing or a cracked crown can let water in. We repair and replace step and counter flashing with proper overlaps and sealants designed for long roof life. For crowns, we rebuild with sloped, steel-reinforced concrete and form a drip edge to direct runoff away from the chimney face. Hairline crown cracks get an elastomeric sealant that remains flexible through temperature swings.
Yes. Many top-sealing dampers include a cover, but a dedicated stainless cap with screen provides better debris and animal defense and protects the crown edge. We often pair both for best results.
No. Our breathable treatment penetrates the surface without forming a visible film. Your brick will look natural while absorbing far less water.
Most installs are completed in a single visit. If crown or flashing work is required, we schedule additional time to allow materials to cure.
Often, yes—especially during humid weather or when negative pressure is present. We may also recommend cleaning, relining, or make-up air solutions depending on inspection findings.
Call (203) 303-9850 or email info@ansoniachimneysolutions.com. We’ll recommend the right cap, damper, and waterproofing plan for lasting performance.
Proudly protecting chimneys throughout Ansonia, CT with moisture and draft solutions.
Need chimney sweeping, an inspection, or repair advice? Reach out and we’ll get back quickly with answers and scheduling options. We proudly serve Ansonia, CT.