Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Olympia Chimney Chimney Cap Installation: The Collegeville Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Olympia Chimney-compatible chimney caps across Collegeville and the Perkiomen Valley, with most jobs running $285-$495 installed depending on flue size and whether your crown needs sealing work. Same-day installation is available when we have your cap spec confirmed by 10 a.m., which we usually do since Olympia Chimney caps ship through our Haven buying network on predictable lead times. Most Collegeville homeowners discover their cap has failed during a routine sweep or after finding rust streaks on the chimney breast following one of our wet March storms off the Schuylkill.
Which Olympia Chimney Models This Applies To
Olympia Chimney caps fit their proprietary round and square flue tile systems, most commonly the 8×8, 8×13, and 13×13 inch clay flue sizes found in Collegeville’s 1960s-1990s colonials and split-levels. The critical compatibility check is the flue tile dimension at the crown surface, not the chimney’s exterior footprint. Olympia’s stainless caps carry a model prefix (OC-SS for single-flue, OC-MF for multi-flue) that corresponds to flue projection height above the crown. We measure this on every job because an OC-SS-8 installed on a flue projecting less than 2 inches will pool water at the base collar, and we’ve replaced three of those mis-matches in Collegeville alone since 2022.
OEM Olympia Chimney caps run 304 or 316 stainless with a lifetime warranty against rust-through; our aftermarket equivalents through Gelco and Famco match the gauge and mesh spec at roughly 15% lower parts cost. We stock the common OC-SS and OC-MF sizes on our Collegeville truck, and Haven Standard Clause 1 requires we write both options on your estimate with the spec difference noted.
Signs Your Olympia Chimney Chimney Cap Is Failing

- Rust streaks down the chimney face. Olympia’s 304 stainless caps eventually pit where acid rain collects at the weld seams. In Collegeville, we see this accelerate on north-facing exposures where the cap stays damp through our wet shoulder seasons.
- Water in the firebox after heavy rain. The cap’s mesh screen has separated from its frame, or the base collar has lifted from freeze-thaw cycling. Either way, water is finding the flue opening.
- Bird or squirrel noise in the flue. Olympia’s ¾-inch mesh is designed to exclude animals, but impact damage from ice or fallen branches near Route 29 can deform the screen enough for starlings to squeeze through in spring nesting season.
- Draft smoke spillage on startup. The cap’s hood has dented downward or the mesh is clogged with creosote flakes, restricting exhaust flow. We check this with a draft gauge during our camera inspection.
- Visible gaps between cap and flue tile. The base clamp or masonry anchor has corroded, or the flue tile itself has spalled at the top. This is the failure that most often surprises Collegeville homeowners because the cap looks intact from the ground.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Component | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Olympia Chimney cap (OEM 304 stainless) | $145 - $220 |
| Olympia Chimney cap (OEM 316 stainless) | $195 - $280 |
| Gelco/Famco equivalent (aftermarket) | $115 - $175 |
| Labor: removal, fit, seal, documentation | $140 - $185 |
| Crown sealant (if needed) | $45 - $85 |
| Typical total installed | $285 - $495 |
The range depends on three factors we measure on site: flue height above crown (taller projections need extended collars), whether the existing cap has seized anchors requiring grinder removal, and crown condition that may need CrownCoat or similar sealant to prevent the new cap from leaking at its base. Every estimate is written before work starts under Haven Standard Clause 1, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise covers both parts and labor. We source through our Haven buying network specifically to keep these prices honest.
DIY or Call Us?

An owner can safely confirm the cap model from ground level with binoculars and a tape measure of the flue tile width, but that’s where safe DIY ends for this part. Working at roof height on a chimney stack involves fall risk, and the cap’s anchor holes must align precisely with sound flue tile, not spalled edges. We’ve been called to four Collegeville jobs where a homeowner’s self-installed cap blew off in a winter nor’easter because the base clamp was under-torqued or the flue tile lip was cracked underneath.
We carry the torque-spec drivers, the grinder with masonry bits for seized fasteners, and the camera to verify the flue tile top is sound before the new cap goes on. Call (610) 884-0366 and we’ll confirm your Olympia Chimney spec by phone, schedule a camera inspection if you want documentation first, and give you a written price before anyone climbs.
FAQs
Olympia’s 304 stainless caps average 12-18 years in our climate before weld-seam pitting becomes critical; their 316 line typically runs 20-25 years. The difference is exposure to acid rain and whether the crown drains water away from the base collar. Call (610) 884-0366 for a camera inspection that’ll show you exactly where your cap stands.
Mesh screen re-welding and minor dent straightening are possible but rarely cost-effective; the labor usually exceeds a new cap, and repaired seams rarely match factory corrosion resistance. We write both options on your estimate when repair is genuinely viable. Call (610) 884-0366 for a free second opinion on any repair quote you’ve received.
Most Olympia Chimney cap replacements run 45-90 minutes on site, including removal, flue tile inspection, fit check, and sealant cure time if crown work is needed. We bring the common sizes on our Collegeville truck, so there’s no return trip. Call (610) 884-0366 to confirm we have your spec in stock.
We stock the OC-SS single-flue and OC-MF multi-flue series in 8×8, 8×13, and 13×13 through our Haven buying network; less common sizes or the 316 upgrade typically arrive in two business days. The camera doesn’t lie, and neither does the written price. Call (610) 884-0366 to confirm availability for your model.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Emberly Chimney Cleaners Collegeville at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Collegeville, serving Collegeville and nearby areas.





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