How To Repair A chimney Crown

Regular maintenance is very important to extend the life of your chimney. You may not know if there is an issue unless you find water in your chimney or firebox. The only way you can be sure that your chimney and chimney crown is in good working condition is to have an annual chimney inspection.

What Is A Chimney Crown?

The crown is at the very top of your chimney. Its purpose is to prevent precipitation from entering your home. A chimney crown is usually made of concrete. When your home was built a proper chimney crown would have been placed. It should slope to protect your chimney from water damage.

If a chimney crown is cracked it can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs from water damage. If you find that you do have cracks in your chimney crown they must be repaired. If you do not fix them when the damage is minimal your cost will grow.

You may choose to repair the cracks yourself but that will take some planning.

Here Are Some Things To Think About:

What Type Of Chimney Crown Do I Purchase?

Contact Fire N Stone for expert education as to what type you will need.

• On-site concrete: Made of concrete, usually for large chimneys.
• Finished product: Used for smaller chimneys.
• Floating crown: A crown with a 2-inch overhang.

How Can I Repair My Chimney Crown?

• Contact Fire N Stone for an inspection. Determine the extent of the damage.
• If damage is minimal with hairline cracks, you may choose to repair yourself. Consider if you are comfortable with climbing a ladder.
• Start by chipping away small loose pieces around the flue liner.
• Using a wire brush, clean out the grime and loose material from the surface of the entire crown.
• Use a stainless-steel brush. If you use a steel brush, there is a chance that bristles will break off and cause future rust stains.
• If pockets are formed that can hold water, patch them with quick-setting repair mortar.
• Seal the cracks with siliconized acrylic latex sealant.

Once you have repaired the mortar and sealed the crown it should take about 2 – 4 hours to cure. Be sure you plan a day with no rain in the forecast. You will want the time to cure.

Consider using a professional chimney company like Fire N Stone if the damage is more than small cracks. Getting the opinion of an expert early on will save you a considerable amount of money in the future. Early detection can correct the problem before it gets out of hand.

Whether you have a gas or wood fireplace, stove, or insert, you can count on our professionals for maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and more. Our technicians are fully certified and trained by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute, and we don’t subcontract any of our work.

Call Fire N Stone today to book an appointment at 603-293-4040 or visit our 3,500 sq. ft. showroom in Tilton, NH.