Chimneys are a crucial part of your fireplace system. Different components help to prevent weather and debris from falling into your home, while others ensure that a proper draft occurs so that harmful smoke and fumes make their way out.
If your chimney is damaged, this can lead to disastrous consequences, including inhaling harmful chemicals and even the potential for a chimney fire.
One crucial component of the chimney is the chimney crown. It protects the chimney from any moisture and debris from entering the home.
Typically speaking, chimney crowns are made of concrete, metal or natural stone, and are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, which is very important in a climate like Michigan’s. The crown is actually a separate part from the chimney cap, which covers the crown to prevent rain and snow from entering the house.
To protect your home and the people inside, it’s important to conduct regular inspections and ongoing maintenance of the chimney crown, during which you can identify potential issues before they can become major problems.
Signs and Causes of Damage
While inspecting your chimney cap for damage, it’s important to understand what exactly you should be looking for.
Some common signs that would indicate the need for either a repair or full replacement include visible cracks, water damage, corrosion, rust or other deterioration.
What you should do if you see these signs depends on what it is you see, and how significant the damage is. For instance, if what you see are minor cracks, small cracks or hairline cracks, you may be able to repair them with a chimney crown sealant.
If, however, you see that the chimney crown is crumbling or there are large structural cracks present, it might require more significant repairs — and even a full removal and rebuilding of the chimney.
Since extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow and hail can cause damage to the chimney crown, it’s important to schedule regular inspections and maintenance to ensure that everything is safe and in working order.
Risks of Ignoring Damage
Ignoring these regular inspections and maintenance can lead to serious consequences. If you miss the early signs of damage, for example, you won’t have the opportunity to do simple repairs.
These early signs can very quickly turn into major problems, which can lead to dangerous situations. This includes chimney fires and structural compromise, as well as an increased risk that damage will be done to other parts of your home.
If parts of the chimney begin to crack or peel away, it will become very susceptible to water damage, as moisture can easily seep into these open spaces. This can lead to more major water damage, which can cause the chimney structure to sustain significant harm in the form of deterioration, corrosion and rust.
Once the chimney crown is damaged, it can lead to the integrity of the chimney itself being compromised, too. This can often result in safety risks happening as well as the fact that the repairs become very costly.
In more extreme instances, if the damage becomes too significant, you may even have to replace your chimney completely.
Chimney Crown Repair Options
It’s always best, and more affordable, to repair a chimney crown if possible rather than replace it. This can only be done, though, if the damage is relatively minor — which means you’ll need to identify it early in the process.
Chimney crowns can typically be repaired when there are hairline cracks in the surface. A skilled mason can easily fill these cracks with a material made of patch cement, and then seal the rest of a chimney crown with a sealant that’s waterproof.
If the damage is too significant, it’s usually best to rebuild the crown completely. This will ensure that the structure is reliable and safe, versus trying to repair something that may be beyond usable.
This is why it’s always best to consult with a local mason you can trust, such as the experts at All Brick. They can guide you on what damage is done and what the best course of repair or replacement is.
DIY vs. Professional Chimney Crown Repair
Some homeowners are skilled DIYers and like to take on even challenging projects around the home. However, it’s generally not recommended for unskilled and inexperienced homeowners to do work on a chimney.
It’s always recommended to hire a professional when you need to repair or replace your chimney crown. That’s because the job itself carries certain safety risks, and it is also quite complex.
Professional masons are trained and experienced at inspecting chimney crowns for damage. They can diagnose what the problem is and then suggest a solution that will result in you getting a chimney crown in the best shape possible, which will ensure that your chimney is functional and safe.
DIY repairs, by contrast, may not be nearly as effective. And if you don’t properly identify the problem and complete the repair correctly, it can actually lead to significant further damage, which leads to additional safety risks.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Like any part of your home, it’s crucial to conduct regular maintenance on your chimney crown, which helps to extend its lifespan. Scheduling regular chimney cleanings and inspections will help identify any issues with the chimney crown before they become major problems.
The professional doing the maintenance and inspection can then recommend whatever repairs are necessary at that time. Ensuring that the chimney cap is functioning properly is important to prevent structural compromise, water damage and keep the risk of chimney fires low.
Chimney Cap: A Crucial Component That Prevents Future Damage
A properly installed chimney cap helps to protect both the chimney and the crown. The cap acts like an umbrella, keeping everything underneath it dry.
It gets attached directly onto the crown, with a wire mesh surrounding it. This allows smoke and other contaminants to ventilate out of the house, while preventing moisture and debris from obstructing the flue.
A well-maintained chimney cap and chimney crown will prevent water damage and structural compromise from occurring. By having these components in good working order, you’ll be mitigating any damage that extreme weather conditions in Michigan can cause.
Cost of Chimney Crown Repair and Replacement
There are many factors that can affect how much it costs to repair or replace your chimney cap. This includes the extent of the damage and the size of your chimney, as well as labor costs and the materials that are used.
A repair or replacement of the chimney crown can range anywhere from $800 to $4,000. The average cost of repairs is about $2,200.
This just goes to show how important it is to stay on top of inspections and maintenance, as more damage can lead to higher costs of repair or replacement.
Choosing the Right Materials for Chimney Crown Repair
What materials you choose for your chimney crown repair also depends on a number of factors. A professional can recommend the best material for the job, based on these factors, and also ensure that it’s all installed properly.
Some factors you may consider include personal preference and aesthetics, budget, the damage that’s done and the materials that are already there.
Some of the common materials that are used for chimney crowns include stainless steel and metal, though concrete and brick make for excellent choices based on their durable properties.
Ensure Proper Inspections, Maintenance and Repair of Your Chimney Crown
The chimney crown is one of the most important parts of your chimney. A well-maintained crown is crucial to extending the lifespan of your chimney, preventing costly repairs and keeping your family and home safe.
By conducting regular inspections, maintenance and repairs, you can help to prevent chimney issues and ensure that the chimney continues to be safe and function. If you ignore chimney crown damage, it can lead to serious consequences, including structural compromise, chimney fires and increased risk of damage to your home.
Trust the experts at All Brick to help you with this regular inspection and maintenance of your fireplace system. We have spent the last 10 years mastering the art of masonry.
For more information, contact us today.
