Chimney Crown Repair Frederick, MD, Area | Chimney Water Damage | Chimney Leak Inspection
Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps of Frederick, MD, serves homeowners in Westminster, MD, Mount Airy, MD, and other nearby Maryland cities and towns with full chimney services including chimney crown repair and rebuilding.
The chimney crown at the top of your chimney is a critical component within the chimney system. Made of strong cement, it covers everything except the flue opening and protects the bricks of the chimney against decay from rainwater and melting snow. Chimney crown repair becomes necessary when weather events, seismic events or plain old age lead to obvious signs of damage.
Moisture Inside the Chimney
When a chimney crown is cracked or deteriorated, water can easily run down into the bricks and mortar below the crown. Porous bricks absorb water, then when the temperature outside drops past freezing, the water solidifies and expands, leading to further brick damage. Eventually, bricks can begin to decompose and fall apart, causing the need for extensive masonry and chimney repair work.
Cracked crowns often are the reason behind a leaky chimney. Signs of a chimney leak that may be caused by a damaged chimney crown include:
- Crumbling cement in the firebox
- Water in the firebox
- White (efflorescence) staining on the chimney’s exterior bricks
- Damp sections of walls near the fireplace/chimney
- Strong odors coming from the firebox
Left unchecked, moisture within the chimney system can cause massive decay and destruction and result in an unsafe operational environment.
Chimney Crown Repair
When our chimney experts are called out to address issues with chimney crowns, our first objective is to determine the extent of the damage and find any resulting damage that may have been done to other areas of the chimney. We can then set about performing the necessary repairs.
If the overall structure of the crown is sound but cracking has started, we often use a waterproof sealant to block water from entering the cracks. Larger cracks will be filled prior to applying the sealant. When performed by our CSIA- and NFI-certified chimney specialists, waterproofing will allow the crown to hold up and perform for 15 or more years.
Chimney Crown Rebuilding
Some levels of crown damage can’t be suitably repaired with waterproofing and spot-filling. If extensive damage exists, we can rebuild the crown with special pre-cast concrete or add a cast-in-place crown reinforced with steel. Our masonry technicians will do an outstanding job for you, making sure the new crown is properly built with a slight overhang to keep rain from running down the exterior chimney bricks.
When Magic Mountain chimney crown experts undertake chimney crown rebuilding, we always use a commercial-grade concrete product, never a mortar-based compound. Because it is not weather-resistant, standard mortar will soak up water and land you back in the place you started from: a damaged chimney crown.
Schedule a Certified Chimney Inspection
Basic chimney safety inspections should be performed on an annual basis by a trained chimney sweep in order to find early signs of damage to the chimney or its components and get it fixed quickly and at a reasonable cost. If it’s been awhile since your chimney has been looked at by a professional, our team is ready to visit your home and meticulously inspect every visible section of your chimney system.
In addition to the highest-level industry certifications, Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps is a proud member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. When we work for you, the job will be done right the first time. Schedule a chimney inspection by calling (301) 695-6991.
