Chimney Services
What a lasting crown repair takes
Crown repair in Lake Charm follows a free inspection of the whole chimney top by our family-owned team.
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.
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.
Concrete pieces in the gutter
Small chunks of gray concrete in the gutter or on the ground by the chimney usually come from the crown's edge. They mean the rim is breaking up, and each piece that falls leaves a larger gap for water.
Keep the pieces if you find them and mention them when you call. We check how much of the edge is left and whether the rest of the crown is still solid, which decides between an edge repair and a new crown.
Crowns on stucco-finished chimneys
A stucco finish covers the brick or block of many chimneys, and the crown sits on top of that system. Where the crown meets the stucco, a crack or open joint lets water behind the finish, where it can travel a long way before it shows.
We check the crown edge and the top of the stucco together. If water has already got behind the finish, the crown repair includes sealing that joint, and any stucco damage is priced on its own line.
