Chimney caps and crown repair
The top of the chimney is its roof. A good crown and cap keep water out of the masonry and flue, which prevents most chimney damage.
The crown is the concrete or mortar slab that covers the top of the chimney around the flue. The cap is the metal cover with screened sides that sits over the flue opening. Together, they shed rain and snow, block animals and debris, and keep sparks from escaping.
Why do crowns crack?
Many crowns were built as a thin layer of mortar troweled over the top bricks, rather than a properly formed concrete slab with an overhang. They crack with freeze and thaw, and water runs through the cracks straight into the brickwork below. That's often where crumbling mortar and spalling bricks at the top of a chimney start.
What's the fix for a cracked crown?
- Sealing. Hairline cracks in an otherwise sound crown can be sealed with a flexible crown coating.
- Replacement. A badly cracked or crumbling crown is removed and replaced with a properly formed crown that slopes away from the flue and overhangs the brick with a drip edge.
Why do I need a chimney cap?
- Keeps rain and snow out of the flue, protecting the liner, damper and firebox
- Keeps out birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals
- Stops leaves and debris from blocking the flue
- Spark screens help keep embers from landing on the roof
Caps come in single-flue and multi-flue styles, and in galvanized steel, stainless steel and copper. Stainless and copper last much longer than galvanized. Make sure the cap and screen are appropriate for the appliance; some appliances have specific venting termination requirements.
Signs your cap or crown needs attention
- Visible cracks or missing chunks on top of the chimney
- A rusted, bent or missing cap
- Water in the fireplace or rust on the damper
- Animal noises or nesting in the chimney
- Damaged brick near the top of the chimney
What affects the cost?
- Crown size and whether it's sealed or replaced.
- Cap material and single vs. multi-flue.
- Roof access and chimney height.
Prices come from the chimney company after they've inspected the chimney. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I get an animal out of my chimney?
Don't light a fire to smoke it out. Call a chimney company or wildlife professional, and install a cap afterward to keep animals out.
Is a stainless steel cap worth it?
In NEPA weather, stainless usually outlasts galvanized by many years, so it's often worth the higher price.
Related services
- Chimney masonry repair and tuckpointing
- Chimney relining
- Chimney leak repair
- Chimney inspection and sweeping
More background: Northeastern PA chimney guide.
Crumbling bricks or a leak by the fireplace?
Call now and a local chimney company will come inspect it and quote the repair.