Chimney Crown Replacement
Casting a new crown when the old one has failed.
Learn moreThe crown is the sloped masonry or concrete surface at the very top of the chimney that sheds water away from the flue and brickwork. Crown repair seals and patches cracks in that surface before water uses them as a way in.
The crown is the sloped masonry or concrete surface at the very top of the chimney that sheds water away from the flue and brickwork. Crown repair seals and patches cracks in that surface before water uses them as a way in.
The crown is the chimney's roof. When it cracks — and exposed concrete crowns crack over time — water runs straight down into the masonry and the gap between the flue and the brick. A great deal of the water damage inside a chimney starts with a failed crown, which makes crown repair one of the most cost-effective fixes there is.
We assess whether the crown can be sealed and patched or needs recasting.
We clear debris and open cracks so the repair material bonds.
We apply a flexible crown sealant or patching compound to close the cracks.
We make sure water is directed away from the flue and masonry.
Freeze-thaw is brutal on crowns: water settles in a hairline crack, freezes, widens it, and the crack grows every winter. Because Pittsburgh cycles through freezing and thawing so often, crowns here need attention sooner than in milder climates — and catching a cracked crown early can prevent a much larger masonry repair.
A crown sealant is not permanent. Checking the crown during your annual inspection and resealing when needed is a small step that protects the whole chimney below it.
Repair seals and patches a crown that's still fundamentally intact. Replacement recasts a crown that's too far gone to patch. We'll tell you honestly which one your crown needs.
A quality flexible sealant can last many years, though it should be checked periodically. If the crown itself is crumbling, sealing is only a short-term measure and replacement is the better value.
Casting a new crown when the old one has failed.
Learn moreFitting a cap to keep rain, animals and debris out of the flue.
Learn more
Breathable sealant that keeps water out of the masonry.
Learn moreFinding and stopping the source of a leaking chimney.
Learn more
Restoring brick, block and stone on aging chimney structures.
Learn moreTalk to a Pittsburgh-area chimney and fireplace pro today.
412-459-7788