What a spark arrestor does
It's a cap with metal mesh around the sides that lets smoke out but stops burning embers from leaving the chimney. It also keeps animals and debris out.
What to look for
- Stainless steel mesh, which outlasts galvanized steel
- Mesh openings small enough to stop embers (check your local fire district's rules)
- A cap sized and fastened to stay put in high wind
- Easy access to clean the mesh
Why mesh clogs
Wood stoves that run low and slow make more creosote, and that can coat the mesh. A clogged arrestor slows the draft, so smoke comes back into the house and the stove burns worse. Mesh should be checked every time the chimney is swept.
Signs your cap needs attention
- Smoke rolling into the room when you open the stove door
- A cap that is bent, loose or missing after a storm
- Black crust visible on the mesh from the ground
- Birds or squirrels around the top of the chimney
Wildfire season
Check with your fire district about current restrictions and defensible-space guidance. Having the chimney swept and the cap checked before winter is the easiest part of the list.
$99 Chimney Inspection. Top-to-bottom inspection with a photo report. Book the repair and the $99 comes off your price.