Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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.
Famco Chimney Cap Installation: The Alpharetta Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Famco-compatible chimney cap systems throughout Alpharetta, with most complete cap installations running between $285 and $540 for standard single-flue setups and $440 to $790 for multi-flue applications with custom base fabrication. We keep the most common Famco cap sizes on our trucks, which means many Alpharetta homes can have the work done the same week we inspect.
The way most people find us is after looking up at the roof and noticing a cap that’s rusted through, missing its screen, or sitting crooked after the last of Georgia’s spring storms rolled through. Sometimes they’ve already bought a Famco cap online and just need a careful installer. Either way, we’ll walk you through exactly what fits, what it costs installed, and whether the old part can be salvaged before we ever suggest buying anything new.
Which Famco Models This Applies To
Famco makes caps for both single-flue and multi-flue chimneys, and the model numbering usually tells you what you’re working with. Their SS series (stainless steel caps, often listed as SC or SCF depending on whether it includes a screen filter) covers most standard clay tile flue liners you’ll see in Alpharetta homes built in the 70s through the early 90s. The Famco MC series is built for metal chimney systems, and it’s common on the zero-clearance fireplaces we service in newer subdivisions throughout the Windward area.
The compatibility gotcha we run into most often: a Famco cap is designed to grip either the outside or the inside of your existing flue tile. If you measure the outside dimension of the tile but the cap was built for an inside grip, you’ll end up with a cap that won’t seat. And in Alpharetta, where a lot of homes have oval-shaped clay liners rather than square, the standard square Famco base plate won’t work without a custom adapter we fabricate in-house. Bring us a photo of the cap and a measurement of the flue opening, and Danny Cortes can usually tell you which Famco model you need over the phone.
One note for the sake of clarity: Kindling Chimney Alpharetta is an independent chimney service provider. We install Famco products because they’ve held up well for our customers, but we’re not affiliated with the Famco company itself.
Styles & brands we work with





Signs Your Famco Chimney Cap Installation Is Failing
- Water staining on the ceiling near the chimney. This is almost always the first sign. A Famco cap that’s lost its seal or cracked at a seam lets rainwater run down the flue instead of diverting away from it. Georgia’s humid summers mean that moisture doesn’t dry out quickly, so the stain spreads before you notice it.
- Rust bleeding down the chimney chase or brick. Famco’s stainless caps are rated well, but their budget galvanized line will eventually oxidize in Alpharetta’s wet spring seasons. If you see orange streaks, the cap is degrading and sending particles into the flue below.
- You hear animal noises from the fireplace in early spring. A torn or missing screen mesh on your Famco cap is an open door for chimney swifts, squirrels, and raccoons. We’ve removed a few very startled squirrels from Alpharetta flues, and every single one got in through a cap that should have been replaced months earlier.
- Water pooling inside the firebox after heavy rain. A Famco cap can look fine from the ground while its internal seams have separated. Water entry at the cap level is the most common cause of firebox puddling we see in Alpharetta’s older wood-burning fireplaces.
- The cap has shifted or sits unevenly on the flue. A proper Famco installation uses mechanical fasteners and a pressure-fit base, but repeated thermal expansion from Georgia’s temperature swings can work those loose over 8 – 10 years. A tilted cap is a cap that’s about to let water in around its perimeter.
See the difference
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After
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After
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AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
Here’s what we quote for Famco cap work in Alpharetta, and we put every number in writing before any work starts:
| Service | Typical Installed Price |
|---|---|
| Famco single-flue cap (standard square/round tile) | $285 – $390 |
| Famco single-flue cap (stainless, upgraded mesh) | $350 – $470 |
| Famco multi-flue cap (custom base plate) | $440 – $790 |
| Custom adapter for oval or odd-sized flue tile | $85 – $160 (included with multi-flue above) |
Every installation price includes the new Famco cap, all mounting hardware, full removal and disposal of the old unit, and a written report with photos of the finished work. What drives the range is mostly access: a chimney with a steep roof pitch and a high peak costs more because it takes our crew longer to work safely. We also check the metal flue below the cap while it’s off, and if we see damage there, we’ll show you the photo before recommending anything further. The cap installation itself is covered under our 365-Day Done Right Promise.
DIY or Call Us?
If you’re replacing a Famco cap because the screen mesh is torn and you can safely reach the chimney, this is one of the more approachable chimney repairs. A flat roof with easy access and a standard square flue is genuinely doable for a careful homeowner with the right ladder.
But working on a chimney cap means working at height, and most Alpharetta homes have roof pitches that make a ladder setup dangerous without the right equipment and a second set of hands. We’ve also seen DIY cap installs where the homeowner used sheet metal screws to attach a Famco cap to the flue tile, cracking the tile in the process. When that tile cracks, you now need a liner repair, and the $120 saved doing it yourself becomes a $400-plus repair. If you can describe your roof and your flue size to us, we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s a safe project or one to hand off. Call (762) 225-2593 and we’ll talk it through.
FAQs
A Famco stainless steel cap typically lasts 10 to 15 years in our climate, while the galvanized version usually needs replacing after 6 to 8 years of Georgia’s rain and humidity. The screen mesh is the first component to go, especially if you have trees near the roof that drop debris. If you’re seeing rust at year 7 on a galvanized cap, plan for replacement rather than repair. Call us at (762) 225-2593 for a free estimate and we’ll match the right Famco model to your flue.
Sometimes. A small tear in the mesh can be patched with a stainless mesh repair kit, and a loose mounting bracket can be re-tightened. If the metal base is rusted through or the seams have split, repair won’t hold for long and you’re better off with a new cap. We’ll show you what we’d recommend and why before you spend a dollar.
Most single-flue cap replacements take our crew 45 to 90 minutes, including setup, removal of the old cap, and photos. Multi-flue caps with custom base fabrication can take 2 to 3 hours from start to finish. We bring everything with us, and we leave your roof and yard cleaner than we found them with the Cedarwell Care Promise on every visit.
We stock the most common Famco cap sizes for square and round flue tiles, which covers the majority of Alpharetta homes. For oval liners, larger multi-flue setups, or custom masonry flues, we order the specific size and schedule your install within 3 to 5 business days. You can call (762) 225-2593 with your flue measurement and we’ll tell you which category you’re in.
Written by Danny Cortes, Owner, Kindling Chimney Alpharetta at Kindling Chimney Alpharetta, serving Alpharetta and nearby areas.