Chimney Services
Sealing, repairing and rebuilding the crown
Our experts check the crown, the flue joints and the brick below before recommending any repair in Gabriella.
Hairline cracks and cracks that go through
Fine surface cracks in a sound crown can often be sealed. Cracks that run through the full thickness, open wider at the edge or let pieces move are a different problem, because water passes straight through them into the chimney below.
Crack width and depth, hollow spots found by tapping and whether the edges are still firmly attached tell us whether a coating will hold or the crown needs to come off. You see the difference before any price is written.
How a crown rebuild goes
A rebuild starts with protecting the roof and the flue openings. The failed crown is broken out down to sound masonry, loose top brick is reset, and a form is built to give the new crown its thickness, overhang and drip.
Reinforcement and bond breaks go in, the concrete is placed and shaped to slope, and the forms come off once it can hold its shape. We clean up the roof, show you the finished top and explain the curing time before the fireplace is used again.
Leave the crown to us
A cracked crown can shed pieces without warning, and the roof around a chimney is steep, hot and often slick. Pulling at loose concrete or pouring sealer onto the crown from a ladder can make the problem worse and put you at risk.
Keep people and pets away from where pieces are falling, and tell us what you have seen from the ground. We bring the right access equipment and assess the crown from the roof. If a piece has already fallen near a door or walkway, keep that area closed off until we have looked at the crown.
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.
