Repairing and replacing chimney crowns in Roosevelt Gardens
We tell you what can stay on your chimney top and what has to come off, with the reasons.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What a failing crown shows from the ground
- A gap beside a flue tile
- Moss or growth holding on the crown
- Loose cap fixings set into the concrete
- Brick joints washing out just below the top
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Crown repair decisions explained plainly
Shrinkage cracks in new crown concrete
Concrete shrinks as it cures. Brick industry guidance treats shrinkage of a cast-in-place crown as a certainty and calls for reinforcement to help control it. Fine cracks on an older crown may date back to that original cure.
We explain the difference between old shrinkage lines and cracks that are active and growing. On a new crown, reinforcement and curing care are part of the plan. If you notice fine lines on a new crown later, tell us so we can look at them against what was expected.
Reading the crown from the ground
You can learn a lot about the crown without climbing. Look for chunks of concrete in gutters or on the roof near the chimney. Look for dark streaks down the brick just below the top, or a patch of growth that stays green on the crown.
Brick industry maintenance guidance suggests binoculars for looking at high masonry. They help here too. Note what you see and tell us when you call. Leave the roof to us, because a steep or slick surface is not worth the risk for a closer look.
What to watch after crown repair
After the work, keep an eye on the chimney during the next few heavy rains. Look for new stains inside, drips at the fireplace or streaks under the crown. Those are the places a remaining problem would show.
If you notice anything, write down when it appeared and what the weather was doing. Call us and describe it. Your written record shows what was done, so we can check the repaired top and any other part that could be involved. Fine lines on new concrete are discussed rather than ignored.
A crown that leaks again after a recent repair
A crown that was repaired recently and is leaking again deserves careful attention. Either the repair failed, or the water is coming from somewhere else. Guessing between the two leads to repeating the wrong fix.
Share any paperwork from the earlier repair. We look at what was done, how it has held up and what else could let water in. If the earlier crown work is sound, we say so and look further. The aim is to find the path, not to redo work that is doing its job.
What your crown estimate lists
- Cap removal and reinstallation
- Cover over an open chimney each day
- Debris removal and haul-away
- Workmanship warranty on agreed crown work
Questions to ask before crown repair
Can a crown with fine cracks be sealed rather than replaced?
It can, when the concrete around the cracks is firm and the crown still sheds water. A crown coating goes on a clean, dry and sound surface. If the top is loose, hollow or flat, sealing only hides the fault, so we explain replacement instead.
Does crown repair include the seal around the flue tiles?
It should. The residential code calls for a caulked bond break where each flue liner passes through the crown. We check that joint, remove failed sealant and reseal it with a suitable elastomeric product as part of the agreed crown scope.
What should I tell you when I call about the crown?
Mention what you have seen, such as concrete pieces on the roof, a stain inside or cracks visible from the yard. Tell us about earlier patches or coatings and any appliance that vents through the chimney.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
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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