Concrete Cap and Crowns
Chimney Concrete cap & Crown Repair
The concrete cap/crown at the top of your chimney is an important component within the chimney system. Made of cement, it covers everything except the flue opening and protects the bricks of the chimney against decay from rainwater and melting snow.
When a concretecap/crown is cracked or broken, water can easily run down into the bricks and mortar below. Bricks absorb water, and then when the temperature outside drops past freezing, the water solidifies and expands, leading to further damage. Eventually, bricks can begin to deteriorate and fall apart, causing the need for repair work.
Cracked crowns often are the reason behind a leaky chimney. Common signs of a leaky chimney that may be caused by a damaged chimney crown include:
- Crumbling cement in the firebox
- Water in the firebox
- White (efflorescence) staining on the chimney’s exterior bricks
- Damp sections of walls near the fireplace/chimney
- Strong odors coming from the firebox
Left unchecked, moisture within the chimney system can cause massive damage and results in an unsafe chimney.
Some levels of Concrete cap/crown damage can’t be repaired with a sealant or spot-filling. However, if there’s extensive damage, we can repour the cocncrete cap/crown, or replace with a pre-cast concrete cap or add a cast-in-place cap reinforced with steel rebar and fiber glass. Our technicians will do an suburb job for you, making sure the new concrete cap/crown is properly built with a 1.5 inch overhang to keep rain from running down the exterior chimney bricks.
When Chimney Doctors’ experts complete a concrete cap/crown repair, we always use a commercial-grade concrete, never a mortar-based compound. Because it is not weather-resistant, standard mortar will soak up water and will not last for very long.
Lets make sure your chimney crown is in good condition
Trust Chimney Doctors for the Best Chimney Inspections across South Eastern Wisconsin. From our office, we help people throughout the following counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, and Racine. Including the cities or towns of Milwaukee, Bay View, Butler, Franklin, Wauwatosa, Saint Francis, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Greendale, Glendale, River Hills, West Allis, Brown Deer, Shorewood, Oak Creek, Whitefish Bay, Cudahy, South Milwaukee, Fox Point. Waukesha, New Berlin, Delafield, Wales, Pewaukee, Vernon, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, Sussex, Lisbon, Elm Grove, North Prairie, Brookfield, Muskego, Pewaukee, and More. Don’t see you town? Give us a call to make sure we service your area! (262)-784-8000.
