A friend said my chimney crown might be deteriorating. How can you tell if it needs replacement?
Answer
The easiest way to tell is to actually get up there and inspect the crown closely, because deterioration isn’t always obvious from the ground. Small surface cracks can sometimes be repaired or sealed before they turn into a bigger problem. If the crown has larger cracks, missing sections, loose concrete, or has started breaking apart around the edges, replacement is usually the better option. We also look at whether the crown is properly sloped so rainwater runs away from the flue instead of sitting on top of the chimney. A deteriorated crown allows water into the brick and mortar below it, and that’s when a relatively inexpensive crown problem can eventually turn into a much more expensive chimney repair. If the brick underneath is still solid, we may be able to remove the old crown and install a new one without rebuilding the chimney. If the upper courses of brick are already deteriorating, then we may recommend rebuilding that portion of the chimney and installing a new crown at the same time.
