Why Right Now Is the Perfect Time to Schedule Your Chimney Top Repairs

Chimney top repairs seal cracks and/or damage done to the chimney crown using crown coat. Crown coat is a flexible elastomeric sealant that fills existing cracks, blocks water from entering the masonry and protects the entire chimney structure. With milder temperatures across the Chicagoland area right now, this is the ideal time to get chimney top repairs done before the freeze thaw winter season starts.

Now That You Know…

Now that you know what a chimney top repair means, let’s find out why it’s important. You know that your chimney sits at the top of your home, quietly dealing with rain, heat, wind and cold. The odds are that the chimney crown, or the concrete slab between the chimney and the chimney cap, have reached its peak and is showing signs of wear. Most homeowners might see the chimney on top of the house from time to time, but hardly even give the chimney crown any thought. Over time, the wear begins to rack up repairs and costs.

The good news is that, right now, the weather is on your side. Mild(er) temperatures this week make this one of the best times to schedule masonry work. And crown coat, the product used for chimney top repairs, cures best in these conditions.

What is a Chimney Crown?

The chimney crown is the cement slab that sits at the very top of your chimney. It spans the full width of the chimney and can extend beyond the bricks giving extra protection. The chimney crown doesn’t cover the flue opening, instead, it pokes through the center.

The chimney crown’s job is important. When it rains or snows, the water runs off the crown directing it away from the chimney. This way it stays away from the bricks and mortar joints underneath. When the chimney crown is able to do its job, the entire chimney system stays protected and dry. However, over time, the chimney crown can form hairline cracks which can widen over time. You can be sure that rain will find its way in, and everything underneath begins to deteriorate.

Here is something most homeowners are surprised to learn. The majority of old chimney crowns are built using standard mortar mix, the same material used to lay the bricks of the chimney itself.

What Causes Chimney Crowns to Crack
Your chimney is the highest point on your home. It is fully exposed to the weather elements in a way that few other parts of the home are. Heat expands the masonry during summer. Cold contracts it in winter. Water finds its way into small cracks, freezes, expands, and forces those cracks wider.

We’ve discussed the freeze thaw cycle, and it is relentless. Over time, what begins as a hairline crack, widens from the freeze thaw cycle allowing water to enter and travel down into the brick and mortar below the chimney crown.

Masonry is porous and absorbs water quickly if unprotected, meaning a Superior Chimney certified technician hasn’t sprayed the chimney with Chimney Saver. Once water reaches the masonry, deterioration chips away at the mortar weakening it over time. Bricks also deteriorate due to water. The process of a failing brick is called spalling and shaling. When the water leak matures enough, you’ll also find water stains on the ceilings and walls near the fireplace.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) consistently identifies water penetration as the primary driver of masonry chimney damage. According to CSIA guidance, a properly sealed and maintained chimney crown is an important line of defense against water damage in any masonry chimney system.

Signs Your Chimney Crown May Need a Chimney Inspection

• Visible cracks along the top surface of the chimney
• White chalky staining on the exterior bricks (called efflorescence)
• Water stains on ceilings or walls near the fireplace
• Flaking or spalling brick
• Mortar joints that are missing, crumbled

If you see any of these signs, schedule a professional chimney inspection before winter.

How Does the Crown Coat Solve Problems

Crown coat is a flexible sealant for chimney crowns. It goes by a few different names: chimney sealer, crown sealer, crown saver, or chimney top repair compound. They all refer to the same thing.

Crown coat cures with enough elasticity to move with the masonry. That flexibility is what allows it to remain sealed through years of thermal stress. A professionally applied crown coat, like by Superior Chimney, fills existing cracks and voids, bonds to the surrounding masonry, and creates a seamless surface across the entire crown. The result is a chimney crown that repels water, handles the fluctuation of temperatures and protects the chimney. The lifespan difference in the chart below is the reason to install a crown coat.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net