Our Chimney Crown Repair Services Are Superior

Winters in St. Louis are known for producing some pretty frigid temperatures. Fortunately for fireplace owners, this just means more cozy nights spent inside in front of a fire. On the other hand, those freezing days can wind up being pretty damaging to your chimney and the components that make it up – which is why investing in regular chimney care and any necessary leak repair services is so important! One piece that tends to get hit particularly hard is the chimney crown.

The good news is that English Sweep is able to help St. Louis residents with chimney crown repairs. Reach out to us and one of our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified technicians will be onsite to repair or replace your crown. Call us today at 636-225-3340 or book your appointment online now.

Chimney Crown Repairs flu  new mortar and bricks being installed
Crown Repair set up with newly poured mortar flue in middle of mortar gray roof in background
Smoothed out mortar on the crown with forms still attached

What Is the Chimney Crown?

Not studied up on chimney anatomy? Then you may not know exactly what or where your crown is. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. The crown sits on the top of the chimney opening, and it helps to cover the opening at the top of it, so that water and moisture cannot get in.

The crown is slightly sloped, and it overhangs a bit past the edge of the chimney stack to help send water out and away from the sides of your masonry chimney. This helps keep the brick from absorbing excess water and breaking down prematurely.

How Do I Know if My Chimney Crown Needs Repair?

Unless you regularly spend time on your roof, you probably won’t be able to see chimney crown damage up close. In fact, you may not know there’s an issue with your crown until your annual chimney inspection – or you start seeing signs of ongoing water damage. However, there are a few indicators that can point to a problem with your chimney crown:

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You have a water leak.

If you notice water leaks in your home, particularly around the fireplace or chimney, it’s a good sign that there’s a leak somewhere in your chimney system – and the chimney crown could be the culprit.

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There's vegetation or mold growth.

Water damage can show up as weird stains on the interior of the chimney. Black stains can be due to mold, while vegetation will appear as green stains. You may also notice white stains on the exterior – this is known as efflorescence.

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Water is pooling in your firebox.

Do you see puddles in the bottom of your firebox? Does the problem get worse after rain or snow? Your crown or chimney cap may be cracked which allows rainwater to leak into your chimney.

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Your fireplace smells musty.

When a moisture problem goes untreated for a long time, it leads to the growth of mildew and mold, which produces a musty odor.

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The metal parts of your chimney are rusting.

Rust is a telltale sign of moisture. If parts of the chimney have rust, it’s time to call us for a chimney inspection.

Spotting issues? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us now.

Why Do Chimney Crowns Crack or Break Down?

Now, unfortunately, not all crowns are created equal. Many times, inexperienced sweeps either repair them incorrectly or simply construct them wrong in the first place. It’s imperative that crowns be designed and constructed properly right from the beginning. Otherwise, they’ll crack, crumble, and allow water easy access to the rest of your chimney components.
What are some of the more common crown construction mistakes we see?

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It’s too flat.

As we said, a correctly built crown will be angled so that rain, sleet, and snow can easily slide off. If the crown is flat, any moisture will simply pool up and cause erosion. Holes, cracks, and other types of decay will occur, and your crown won’t be able to do its job effectively.

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It’s made from incorrect materials.

Other times, crowns are constructed from the wrong materials from the start. If yours was made from a mortar mix, rather than a cement-based mixture, it will break down much sooner than anticipated, and it won’t be able to hold up against the elements.

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It doesn’t extend far enough past the chimney stack.

In order for the drip edge to effectively send water away from the chimney, it should extend around 2 – 3 inches past the edge. Those that don’t will encourage water to simply run down the sides of the chimney, and your brickwork and mortar will suffer.

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It’s too thin.

At the thinnest point, your crown should be at least 2 inches thick. Even if built properly, a crown can grow thin from years of wear and tear caused by bad weather or water-related damages – especially if it isn’t sloped enough. If yours is too thin to provide proper protection for the long haul, making alterations as soon as possible is a must.

Chimney Crown Solutions You Can Depend On: We Ensure Long-Lasting, Dependable Results

So, you’re aware of what problems might occur with your chimney crown, but how can these be resolved? …and what can the CSIA-certified sweeps at English Sweep do to help? Well, first things first, don’t hesitate to invest in routine care and maintenance. If damages are minor, then it may not seem like a big deal to put off repair work, but this can be detrimental in the long run.

What usually happens is that, when the freeze/thaw process occurs, any previous damage is made worse, and more water enters the crown. The result of putting off even minor repairs is typically larger, more costly repairs.

Just remember – the longer your chimney goes without necessary repairs, the higher the cost of repairs will be when you finally decide to fix it. This especially goes for the chimney crown because other areas of the system almost always face damage when the crown is compromised.

Don’t put off repairs. If you think your chimney crown is damaged or compromised, give English Sweep a call or reach out to us online. We’ll examine the system and see just what’s wrong with it. We can repair any cracks or deterioration that is present, and if a rebuild is in order, we can take care of that too. Regardless of what’s going on, when we’re done, you’ll know your chimney crown is ready to protect your chimney against moisture for many more years to come.

How Much Does a Chimney Crown Repair Cost?

Depending on the extent of the damage, we may recommend repairing the crown or replacing it. A few small cracks and minor damage can usually be repaired with a sealant. If there is an excessive amount of small cracks or the cracks are long, though, a replacement would be a better option. As you might guess, the cost of a repair is quite different from the cost of a replacement, and the cost of a repair can vary in and of itself, depending on the extent of your damage.

The types of materials needed can also impact your budget. When repairing crowns we use cement, concrete, and crown sealant products – and what we use will be determined by the type of repairs you need. Once one of our chimney technicians completes their assessment of the crown, they will discuss your options with you, as well as give you a cost estimate.

How Much Does a Chimney Crown Repair Cost?

Depending on the extent of the damage, we may recommend repairing the crown or replacing it. A few small cracks and minor damage can usually be repaired with a sealant. If there is an excessive amount of small cracks or the cracks are long, though, a replacement would be a better option. As you might guess, the cost of a repair is quite different from the cost of a replacement, and the cost of a repair can vary in and of itself, depending on the extent of your damage.

The types of materials needed can also impact your budget. When repairing crowns we use cement, concrete, and crown sealant products – and what we use will be determined by the type of repairs you need. Once one of our chimney technicians completes their assessment of the crown, they will discuss your options with you, as well as give you a cost estimate.

English Sweep truck in front of the English Sweep warehouse

How Can I Prevent Future Chimney Crown Damage?

The chimney crown is one of the parts of the chimney that’s outside the home, so it’s going to take on a lot of wear and tear. It sounds like a lost cause, but the following steps can be the difference between a crown holding up for 5 years or 20 years.

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Schedule annual inspections.

Be sure to schedule a chimney inspection by a CSIA-certified chimney professional at least once a year. Annual inspections can catch potential issues early, preventing them from turning into major problems down the line.

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Install a chimney cap.

A chimney cap helps keep out rain, debris, and animals – which can all lead to crown damage.

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Choose the right materials.

Older chimney crowns were built with a combination of mortar and concrete and were prone to crumbling. If you’re replacing your chimney crown, take the opportunity to upgrade the materials.

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Waterproof the chimney.

Professional chimney waterproofing, which involves applying a water-repellent solution to the masonry and chimney crown, can provide an additional layer of protection against moisture. Ask your chimney professional about our waterproofing services.

Want To Make Sure Your Crown Does Its Job? Call to Book Your Appointment

A damaged crown can lead to all sorts of problems for your fireplace. Don’t wait until you have a leaky chimney to spring into action. If you think your crown requires attention, schedule an appointment with English Sweep today.

You can call us at 636-225-3340 or set up an appointment on our website. Our knowledgeable chimney technicians are ready to get to work!

 

Your leaky chimney may indicate the need for some flashing repair. We can determine what’s going on and get it fixed.