Crown repair for chimneys in Melrose Manors
Book the crown work while your free inspection is less than 72 hours old, and 10% comes off.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that point to the chimney crown
- Water standing on the crown after rain
- Loose cap fixings set into the concrete
- Pieces missing from the crown corners
- Brick joints washing out just below the top
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Crown repair that starts with an assessment
A framed chimney has a cover, not a crown
Some chimneys are wood-framed boxes around a factory-built metal flue. Their top is a sheet-metal chase cover, and there is no masonry crown to repair. From the yard, the two can look alike, especially under a painted finish.
We confirm how the chimney is built before talking about crown work. If the top turns out to be a chase cover, we say so and explain that it belongs to a different repair. Nobody should pay for crown sealing on a chimney that has no crown.
The drip edge under a crown overhang
The residential code asks for a drip edge on the top of a masonry chimney. The drip breaks the path of water along the underside of the overhang, so it falls clear instead of creeping back to the brick. A missing or blocked drip lets the top courses stay wet.
On a new cast crown, the drip is formed into the underside as the concrete is shaped. On a precast unit, it is part of the casting. When we inspect an existing crown, we look under the edge to see whether a drip exists and whether it still works.
The sealed joint around each flue liner
The flue liner and the crown move differently as they heat and cool. The code asks for a caulked bond break around any flue liner that passes through the crown. Without it, the crown can lock onto the liner and crack as they move.
Cracks that radiate out from a flue tile can point to this missing or failed joint. We check the joint on every flue, and where the sealant has hardened or split, we remove it and reseal the joint. On a new crown, the bond break is built in before the concrete is placed.
Protecting a new crown while it cures
New concrete needs the right conditions while it gains strength. Strong sun, drying wind and heavy rain can all harm a fresh surface. The protection used depends on the weather on the day and the material chosen.
We explain how the new crown will be protected and how long the work area must be left alone. If the chimney has to stay covered, we say so. Keep ladders and roof traffic away from the crown until we confirm it can be touched.
The crown repair items you approve
- Formwork for a cast-in-place crown
- Flue liner projection above the crown
- Written record of completed crown work
- Access plan for the roof and chimney top
Questions to ask before crown repair
Can you repair the crown without removing the chimney cap?
Sometimes a coating can be applied around the cap fixings. A new crown usually means taking the cap off and setting it back afterwards. We explain whether the cap can be reused or whether its condition makes it a separate item.
Will you tell me if the brick under the crown is damaged?
Yes. Once the old crown is off, the top courses are easy to see. If loose brick or failed joints turn up, we stop, show you the condition and price that work as a separate item before continuing.
Can a bond break be added to a crown that lacks one?
On an existing crown, the practical step is opening the joint at each flue liner and sealing it properly with backer material and elastomeric sealant. On a new crown, the bond break is built in. We explain which applies after inspection.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo