Repairing and replacing chimney crowns in Shorecrest
Upfront pricing for crown work, with any extra item explained before it is added to the job.
- 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
- Hairline cracks across the crown surface
- A crack running outward from a flue
- Dark streaks on the brick below the top
- Crown and brick separating along the top course
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Getting the chimney crown right in Shorecrest
Preparing the crown surface before a coating
A coating bonds only as well as the surface beneath it. Loose particles, dirt and old flaking material are brushed off first. Debris and organic growth are removed so the membrane sits on concrete, not on dust.
Tell us if anyone has painted or sealed the crown before. An earlier layer that is peeling may have to come off, because a new coat cannot hold a failing one in place. We explain what the preparation involves so the scope is clear before work begins.
Choosing the sealant for the flue joint
Not every tube of caulk belongs on a chimney top. Brick industry guidance recommends a good grade of polysulfide, butyl or silicone rubber sealant at this joint and warns against oil-based sealants. Proper priming and a backing rope are part of the detail.
We tell you which sealant family we plan to use and why. The joint is cleaned and prepared before the new bead goes in. If an earlier repair used a product that has cracked or hardened, we remove it rather than run a new bead over the top.
Covering an open chimney between work days
Replacing a crown can leave the top of the chimney open for a time. Rain or debris entering an open chimney can damage the flue, the damper and the room below. That is why the top is protected whenever work stops.
If the job runs past one day, the open flue gets a cover every evening before we leave, and it stays on until we are back. Tell us if you plan to use the fireplace during the project, so we can explain when it is safe to do so.
Letting a wet crown dry before sealing
A crown that has been soaking up water may stay damp inside long after the surface looks dry. Sealing over that moisture can trap it. The coating maker's instruction to avoid wet or saturated surfaces reflects this.
If your crown has been holding water, we check how it looks and feels before proposing a coating date. Sometimes the answer is to clear drainage and wait. Sometimes the crown is too far gone and replacement is the better plan. We explain what we see rather than rushing a coat on.
What your crown estimate lists
- Overhang and drip edge check
- Removal of loose or hollow sections
- Crack preparation before any coating
- Upfront price for each crown item
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.
What happens if rain is forecast on the day of the repair?
Coatings and fresh concrete need a dry surface and time to cure. If rain threatens, we may protect the work with sheeting or move the date. We tell you before the visit rather than risk a finish that washes off.
Why does a new crown need to overhang the brick?
An overhang with a drip edge throws water clear of the brick face instead of letting it run down the chimney. The code also calls for a drip edge on the top of a masonry chimney. Without one, water can keep soaking the top courses.
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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