Sealing or rebuilding the chimney crown in Riverland
A crown should shed water off the chimney top, and we repair or replace it so it does that job again.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Crown cracks and other early warnings
- Hairline cracks across the crown surface
- Water standing on the crown after rain
- Sections of crown that look lifted
- Brick joints washing out just below the top
Jump to
From hairline cracks to a new crown
Why the crown should project past the brick
A crown that stops flush with the brick face lets water run straight down the chimney. An overhang carries the water out beyond the face before it drops. That keeps the top courses of brick drier after every rain.
When a crown does not overhang, brick industry guidance suggests forming a drip another way, such as corbeled brick below it. On a new crown we build the overhang into the shape. On an existing one, we explain whether its projection is adequate or part of the reason the brick below is wet.
Removing the old crown and hauling it away
Taking off a failed crown produces broken concrete, old mortar and dust. That material is lowered from the roof with care and collected as the work goes on. Nothing is swept off the edge onto plants or paths below.
We clean up the work area and haul the debris away when the job is finished. If the removal reveals more loose material than expected, we stop and show you before continuing. Keep children and pets away from the area under the chimney while removal is under way.
Crowns on homes with more than one chimney
A house may have more than one chimney, and their crowns may not fail at the same pace. One may face more weather or have been repaired more recently. Each needs its own look.
We inspect each chimney you ask about and list its findings separately. You can approve work on one without committing to the others. If a chimney is no longer used, we still check its crown, because an unused chimney can let water into the house just as easily.
Comparing chimney crown estimates fairly
Crown estimates can describe very different jobs under the same name. One may mean a coating, another a patch and another a new crown. Comparing prices only makes sense when the scopes match.
Ask each contractor how they handle slope, overhang, drip edge and the bond break at the flue. Ask what happens to loose concrete and what product is used. Our estimate answers those questions in writing, so you can compare it line by line with any other proposal.
Inside a crown repair proposal
- Firmness of the existing concrete
- Earlier patches and coatings identified
- Removal of loose or hollow sections
- Top course brick condition below the crown
Questions to ask before crown repair
Can a crown be replaced with a precast concrete top?
Where the chimney size and access allow it, a precast crown is an option, and brick industry guidance rates prefabricated tops well. It is set on a mortar bed with a bond break. We explain whether precast or cast in place suits your chimney.
Can you repair the crown on a stone or stucco chimney?
The code allows a concrete, metal or stone top on a masonry chimney, and a stucco or stone face does not change the crown's job. We assess the top the same way and treat repairs to the sides as separate work.
Do you seal the crown and the chimney brick at the same visit?
They are separate products and decisions. A crown coating treats the top surface. A water repellent for brick is considered only after cracks and joints are repaired, and it should let the masonry breathe. Each appears as its own line.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo