Why the Chimney Crown Is Important

There are more parts to your chimney than you might think, but one of the most important, if not the most important, is the chimney’s crown. Without a chimney crown, your chimney would end up in shambles. Let’s find out why the chimney crown is important and what can be done to take care of it.

What is a Chimney Crown?

At the top of your chimney is an area known as the crown. It is a concrete slab that slopes away from the flue. Its purpose is to prevent precipitation in the form of rain or snow from entering your chimney. As the first line of defense against moisture, it is imperative that your chimney’s crown remains intact. It protects the bricks underneath it from absorbing rainwater or melting snow. You can clearly see its importance in preserving your chimney.

Signs Your Chimney Crown May Need Repair

Here are some more common signs that your chimney crown is in need.

Pieces are Cracked or Missing- If your chimney has visible cracks or areas with missing pieces, they need to be repaired by a qualified chimney sweeper. Water will penetrate the structure of your chimney and lead to its demise if repairs are not made. This condition will cause the brick and mortar below to degrade.

Mortar Wearing Away- As we just stated, when a chimney crown is damaged, it will allow water to seep into bricks and mortar, and during freeze-thaw cycles, the repeated expansion and contraction of the mortar will cause it to break down and fall out. If your chimney does not have enough mortar to hold the bricks in place, they could collapse.

Algae at the Base of Your Chimney- Algae growing at the base of your chimney means that water has come from the top of your chimney and migrated down to the base, which means your whole chimney is at risk of water damage. It is a clear sign your chimney crown is damaged.

How to Deal with a Damaged Chimney Crown

The best way to deal with a damaged chimney crown is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. By having your chimney inspected regularly by qualified chimney sweeps, you will save time and money by catching an issue with your chimney crown before it worsens. 

If your chimney crown has a crack or is missing pieces, it must be repaired with new cement. The chimney sweeps will build a wooden brace that matches the size and shape of the original chimney crown and then pour cement into it. Once the cement has been leveled and smoothed out, it will take a few days to cure. Once the cement has healed and is set, a waterproof sealant will be applied to protect the crown from the elements. Fixing a chimney crown is not a task you should take on; it requires training and experience to do it correctly. If you don’t have a professional chimney sweep service repair your chimney crown, you could end up doing more damage than good.

Let Hudson Valley Chimney Take Care of Your Chimney Crown

If you suspect that you have a damaged chimney crown or not, let us inspect it and ensure that it remains in good shape for the lifetime of your home. In the greater Hudson Valley area, get in touch with us, and we will schedule our chimney inspectors to come and examine your chimney crown for damage. Don’t wait until the damage becomes a costly problem; contact us today.