Our Services
The chimney crown, repaired from the top down
Written prices on every crown repair, from a family-owned local team, with no hidden fees.
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.
Enough flue liner above the crown
A liner that stands proud of the crown keeps water on the crown from spilling into the flue and gives a cap something to grip. Brick Industry Association guidance sets that projection at two inches or more above the finished crown.
Some crowns were poured up around the liner until it almost disappeared. When we rebuild a crown like that, we set the new surface to leave proper liner projection. If a liner is cracked at the top, we show you and price that repair separately.
Curing time after a new crown
New concrete gains strength slowly and needs to keep its moisture while it does. A crown that dries too fast in hot sun can crack at the surface before it ever sees a storm, which is why curing is part of the job and not an afterthought left to the weather.
The mix we pour comes with its own curing directions, and following them may mean shading the new crown or keeping it damp for a set time. We tell you how long to wait before lighting the fireplace, and whether a coating or cap goes on the same day or on a return visit.
Using the fireplace after crown work
Heat from a fire warms the flue and the crown around it, and a crown that has not cured can be stressed before it is ready. Coatings have their own drying times, which depend on the weather at application.
Before we leave, you get a clear answer on when the fireplace can go back into use. If you were planning a fire for a particular evening, tell us when you book so we can schedule the work around it.
