What is a Chimney Crown and Why Does It Need Repair in Norfolk and Plymouth Counties?
The chimney crown is the concrete or mortar slab that seals the top surface of your chimney structure, surrounding the flue pipe(s). Think of it as the protective cap for your chimney stack. Its primary job is to prevent water—rain, snow, and ice melt—from entering the chimney structure itself or running down the masonry walls below it. A properly constructed crown should slope slightly downwards from the flue and have an overhang, called a drip edge, to direct water away without issues.
The exposed position of the chimney crown exposes it to external factors, particularly in Norfolk County and Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Freeze-thaw cycles are substantially brutal, causing expansion and contraction that leads to cracks. Years of rain and snow can also cause decay over time. When cracks form or the surface degrades, water can seep in, leading to extensive masonry damage inside the construction. As such, chimney crown repairs preserve your entire chimney system at the right times and prevent minor issues from escalating further.
Advantages of Timely Chimney Crown Repairs
Issues Involving Chimney Crown Repairs
First, cracks are the most frequent problem requiring chimney crown repairs. These often result from shrinkage during the initial curing process if improperly mixed or, more commonly in Norfolk and Plymouth Counties, from the relentless stress of freeze-thaw cycles expand, trapping moisture. Even small cracks allow water entry. When the mortar or concrete becomes pitted, crumbly, or soft as a result of weather exposure and age; it impairs the crown’s ability to shed water and necessitates the assistance of a professional chimney crown repair service.
Furthermore, design flaws can impact repairs or rebuilding. A crown built flat instead of sloped allows water, snow, and ice to pool on top, accelerating damage. Crucially, the absence of a proper drip edge—an overhang that directs water away from the chimney sides—allows moisture to run down the brickwork, leading to saturation, efflorescence or white staining, and eventual masonry decay. Consider issues like preventing water from migrating deeper into the chimney system. Sometimes, damage is severe enough to warrant needing to rebuild chimney crowns.
Expert Chimney Crown Repair and Rebuilding
The approach to chimney crown repairs depends on the extent of the damage. For minor cracks, specialized flexible crown sealants can often be applied after meticulous surface preparation. These sealants fill the cracks and create a waterproof membrane over the existing crown, preventing further water intrusion. If the structure is fine but the surface is deteriorating, resurfacing involves applying a new layer of appropriate cementitious material over the prepared existing crown.
However, when the crown is severely cracked, structurally compromised, or improperly constructed (you can tell by a lacking slope or drip edge), chimney crown repair would mean it’s necessary to rebuild chimney crowns entirely. The process involves carefully removing the old, damaged crown down to the top course of bricks. A form is then built, and a new crown is poured using a concrete mix, checking that it has the proper thickness, slope, and an adequate drip edge overhang.
Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out – We’re Here to Help Every Step of the Way
Our Method for Chimney Crown Repairs
01
Inspection Damage Assessment
02
Surface Prep Cleaning
03
Crown Repair or Rebuild
