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 McKinney Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Olympia Chimney-compatible chimney caps across McKinney, with most installations running $280-$520 depending on flue size, cap style, and whether the crown needs repair before mounting. Most jobs we book are completed same-day once the written estimate is approved. McKinney homeowners usually discover the cap has failed when water starts dripping into the firebox after a hard north Texas storm, or when a neighbor spots rust streaks running down the brick from the roofline.
Which Olympia Chimney Models This Applies To
Olympia Chimney caps are sized to flue diameter, not to a single model series, so the critical measurement is the outside dimension of your flue tile or liner top. Most McKinney homes we service with Olympia Chimney systems fall into the 8×8 inch, 8×13 inch, or 13×13 inch flue sizes, with the 8×13 being the most common on 1980s-2000s builds in neighborhoods like Stonebridge Ranch and Eldorado. The cap itself carries an Olympia part stamp on the underside of the lid if it’s original equipment.
We source caps through Haven’s buying network from both Olympia Chimney direct and from Gelco and Famco equivalents that match the mounting footprint. The OEM Olympia cap uses a 304 stainless band with a slightly heavier mesh (5/8-inch weave) than most aftermarket units. For McKinney’s hail exposure, we often recommend staying with the OEM gauge or stepping up to Gelco’s equivalent, which uses the same band geometry but adds a reinforced lid rib. HeatShield crown sealant, when needed, is compatible across all three brands. We verify fit with a tape measurement at the flue top before quoting, not from a model number lookup alone.
Signs Your Olympia Chimney Chimney Cap Is Failing

- Water in the firebox or rust stains on the damper. The cap’s lid has separated from the mesh sides, or the mounting band has pulled away from the flue tile, letting wind-driven rain enter straight down the flue. In McKinney, this usually shows up after spring storms with south winds that push water uphill against the north face of the chimney.
- Rust streaks down the brick or siding below the chimney. The 304 stainless band is discolored and weeping oxidation, which means the cap has reached end of life. North Texas temperature swings accelerate this; we’ve pulled caps in McKinney that looked fine from the ground but had band corrosion hidden under the lid overhang.
- Debris, leaves, or bird nests in the firebox. The mesh sides have separated from the band or the lid has blown off entirely. Squirrels can breach a gap as small as two inches, and once inside they pack the smoke chamber with nesting material that blocks draft.
- Smoke backing up into the room on startup. The cap mesh is clogged with creosote or soot, or the lid has collapsed onto the flue opening. This is more common with older Olympia caps that used a flat lid without the raised center vent found on current production.
- The cap is visibly tilted or missing after a storm. The mounting band has corroded through or the masonry screws have pulled out of deteriorating crown concrete. We see this frequently on homes near McKinney’s Historic Downtown district where the original crown was poured with a high sand mix that spalls after twenty years of freeze-thaw.
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AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service Component | McKinney Price Range |
|---|---|
| Olympia Chimney cap (OEM or Gelco/Famco equivalent), standard flue size | $180-$340 |
| Labor: remove old cap, fit and secure new unit, seal band to flue | $100-$180 |
| Crown repair or sealant (if needed for sound mounting) | $75-$150 additional |
| NFPA 211 Level 2 camera inspection with photo record | Included |
The total installed price for most McKinney Olympia Chimney cap replacements runs $280-$520. Crown work pushes the high end; if your flue tile is sound and the crown surface is intact, you’ll land at the lower number. We deliver a written scope and written price before scheduling under Haven Standard Clause 1. The cap carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty on stainless components, and our installation is backed by the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
DIY or Call Us?

An owner can safely check whether the cap is present and level from the ground with binoculars, and can confirm water entry by looking for damp ash or rust in the firebox. That’s where safe DIY ends. Chimney cap replacement requires roof access at the flue terminal, often with a ladder set on sloped composite or tile roofing that McKinney builders favor in newer subdivisions. The mounting band must be tensioned evenly around the flue tile without cracking it, and the sealant bead at the band-to-flue joint needs to be placed so water sheds away from the penetration. We’ve been called to jobs where a homeowner cracked the flue tile overtightening the band, turning a $350 cap replacement into a $1,800 liner repair. The camera doesn’t lie, and neither does the written quote. Call (469) 429-2623 and we’ll measure, photograph, and price it without anyone stepping onto your roof until you’ve seen the scope in writing.
FAQs
In north Texas conditions, a properly installed 304 stainless Olympia Chimney cap lasts 12-18 years before band corrosion becomes a concern. Hail events can shorten this; we inspected caps after the 2023 spring hail that dented lids in Craig Ranch and Stonebridge Ranch, though the mesh and bands held. Call (469) 429-2623 and we’ll check yours with the camera.
Mesh separation from the band or lid distortion is not repairable; the cap is a welded assembly and replacement is the only sound option. If the band is intact but the sealant has failed, we can reseat and reseal the existing cap, which we always verify with a camera check of the flue interior first. Call (469) 429-2623 for an exact assessment.
Most Olympia Chimney cap replacements take 45-90 minutes on site, including the NFPA 211 Level 2 camera inspection and photo documentation under Haven Standard Clause 4. Crown repair adds 30-60 minutes. We stock standard sizes on our McKinney service trucks, so there’s no ordering delay. Call (469) 429-2623 to schedule.
We stock 8×8, 8×13, and 13×13 sizes in both Olympia OEM and Gelco equivalents on every McKinney service vehicle. Odd sizes or custom flue extensions we can source through Haven’s buying network within 24-48 hours. Call (469) 429-2623 and we’ll confirm fit from your flue measurements.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney McKinney at Level Two Chimney McKinney, serving McKinney and nearby areas.



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