Cracked Crown Dangers
The crown on your chimney protects it, day in and day out, unassuming and reliable. But what happens when the crown on your chimney cracks? The apparent response is nothing good. There are a host of dangers that could arise if you don’t have a cracked crown repaired. Read on to find out more.
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What is a Chimney Crown?
A chimney crown is a stone or concrete slab that sits on top of your chimney. Its purpose is to guard the summit of your chimney from harsh weather, relentless sunlight, or anything that could damage it, like a large tree limb or oversized hail. It’s easy to understand a chimney crown’s critical role in keeping the rest of your chimney safe.
Signs of a Cracked Chimney Crown
Visible Damage
It’s not always easy to see your chimney crown from ground level, but sometimes the damage is obvious. Cracks in a chimney’s crown, even minute ones, clearly show damage.
Water Leaks
If you notice water inside your fireplace’s firebox or pooling at the chimney’s base, it probably means the crown isn’t keeping water out. It should be inspected by a qualified chimney sweep right away.
Crumbling or Deteriorating Mortar
Suppose you notice the mortar around your chimney’s crown starting to crumble or fall apart. In that case, it’s most likely because water has been getting in through a crack in your chimney crown, which causes deterioration through repeated exposure to freeze-thaw cycles.
Efflorescence
The efflorescence looks like white, chalky salt deposits on your chimney. It occurs when water gets in, evaporates, and leaves behind minerals, showing the crown isn’t protecting against moisture due to a crack.
What Causes a Damaged Chimney Crown?
There are various possibilities of what causes damage to your chimney’s crown. Here are a few:
Weather
Long-term exposure to sunlight, rain, snow, and wind can corrode your chimney’s crown, weakening it and increasing the likelihood of cracking.
Improper Installation
If the craftmanship was lacking while the chimney crown was installed, there is little doubt it could lead to cracking.
Concrete Shrinkage
If the concrete for the slab in your chimney crown was not properly mixed or applied, cracks are inevitable.
The Impact of a Cracked Chimney Crown
Water will find a way in if your chimney crown is cracked and wreak havoc. Once the bricks in your chimney become waterlogged, they will expand and contract due to temperatures that drop below freezing and rise again. This cycle gradually damages the bricks in your chimney until they start to crack or crumble. If the crack in your chimney is not addressed, it may lead to a leaky chimney, collapsed chimney and costly repairs.
What Occurs When Your Chimney Crown Requires Repairs?
When the chimney crown is damaged, you must choose a qualified and experienced chimney sweep service. A qualified chimney sweep will examine the crack in your chimney’s crown to determine the severity of the damage and then examine the rest of your chimney, both on the interior and exterior. If there is no damage to the rest of the chimney, the crown will be the only thing that will be repaired. The chimney sweeps will patch or replace the crown.
Post Repair Inspections
When the repairs to your chimney’s crown are completed, a chimney sweep will make a last inspection to ensure the strength of the repair is enough and that no additional areas require repair.
Crown Repairs Are Not DIY Projects
Even if you are handy and experienced with home repairs, you shouldn’t undertake a chimney repair. It requires expertise and precision, which requires training and experience. Always use a professional chimney sweep service to repair your chimney crown.
Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney Understand Chimney Crowns
Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney has over sixty years of experience inspecting and repairing chimney crowns. Don’t trust a lesser chimney sweep service to fix your damaged crown; contact us today. We will be happy to discuss what repairs you require. Don’t wait until your chimney has to be replaced; get in contact today.
