Chimney Services
Crown repair on Crystal Point chimneys, step by step
Crown repair from local pros who form every new crown with slope, overhang and a drip.
Why feathered edges crack first
A crown that thins out to nothing at its edge looks neat when new, but the thin rim breaks first. The Brick Industry Association warns against feathering the cap to the edge, since it substantially reduces the thickness there and raises the potential for deterioration.
Broken edges and missing corners are a typical sign of a feathered crown. Patching the rim with more thin mortar repeats the problem. We rebuild the edge with real thickness, or replace the crown when the thin rim runs all the way around.
Coating over an older coating
Crowns that have been treated before may carry a layer of old sealer, paint or patching compound. Some of it still grips well and some of it is peeling, and a new product cannot grip a surface that is coming loose.
We test how the old layer is holding, remove what is failing and clean the surface before anything new goes on. If the old material is unknown and the product maker calls for bare masonry, we strip it. You see that preparation listed on the estimate.
Get the crown ready for storm season
From June 1 through November 30 the Atlantic hurricane season is open, and a tropical storm can drive rain sideways into every crack on a chimney top. A crown that lets in a little water all year can let in a lot in one night.
Spring is a good time to have the crown checked and sealed or rebuilt, with curing done before the heavy rain arrives. If a storm has already come through, we check for new cracks, lifted edges and damaged sealant at the flues.
Sealing and rebuilding priced side by side
When a crown could reasonably be coated or rebuilt, you should see both options. A coating costs less today, and a rebuild addresses slope, overhang and thickness that a coating cannot change. An edge repair can sit between the two when only the rim has failed.
Both go on the estimate with their prices and a plain note on what each leaves unfixed. The decision is yours, nothing is hidden in the total, and either one is 10% off if you schedule it within 72 hours of the inspection.
