Why is Your Chimney Crown Important?
It is crucial to have the white cement component at the top of your chimney checked at least once per year. You may ask, “Why is my chimney crown important?” Unfortunately, it’s because the chimney crown is prone to cracking. When this happens, moisture will seep into the chimney system, which is a big problem. The trusted technicians at Chimney Saver Solutions are the ones to call about busted chimney crowns and many other services if you live in the Richmond, VA area. More about chimney crowns follows.
The Scoop on Chimney Crowns
Chimney crowns are supposed to be constructed of cement. All too often, they are made with mortar instead, which erodes more quickly. That’s just one of the many reasons to rely on qualified masons and chimney sweeps who understand how to build and repair masonry chimneys properly.
Whether your chimney crown is made with cement or mortar, it will wear down and will tend to deteriorate. The erosion of chimney crowns is caused by constant exposure to harsh elements.
An intact chimney crown that is built correctly has a sloped overhang. The crown typically protrudes 1 ½ inches further than all sides of the structure below, which will protect the chimney stack from excessive exposure to precipitation.
Why Moisture is Bad for Chimneys
Your chimney crown is important because it protects the chimney system from moisture. What does moisture do? It destroys masonry.
During the freezing and thawing cycles of winter, the water inside masonry expands and contracts. That movement destroys each brick that contains moisture. If not replaced sooner rather than later, bricks go flat, which results in a leaning chimney in danger of collapse.
If you see water spots on the ceilings or walls around your chimney, you probably have a leaky chimney. Finding the source of a chimney leak is complicated. To end up with the right fix, be sure to put your trust in bona fide chimney sweeps with a legitimate dedication to the work and to customer satisfaction.
Chimney Inspections for Crowns
Annual chimney inspections are recommended by all leading fire safety experts in the U.S. The inspections help identify issues such as deteriorating chimney flues, which put homes and families in danger. Inspections are also the best way to keep an eye on the condition of the chimney crown.
Professional chimney sweeps have experience and training that keep them safe on rooftops. We don’t recommend that homeowners climb on their houses to check their chimneys. An alarming statistic on jobs reveals that “falls from roofs” is the category associated with the most workplace fatalities.
One of the many things a chimney technician checks during an inspection is the condition of the chimney crown. The crowns are often cracked, but if it is a surface-level crack, the chimney crown can be repaired. If too much deterioration has occurred, rebuilding the chimney crown becomes necessary.
Beware of Scammers
Another vital matter is to call on CSIA-certified chimney sweeps, like the technicians at Chimney Saver Solutions. Our industry is unregulated. This basically means that consumers with fireplaces and chimneys are vulnerable. Scammers offering to provide chimney services on the cheap abound, and their incompetence or outright extortion costs homeowners a lot of money.
Call the Chimney Experts for a Chimney Crown Rebuild
Chimney Saver Solutions is happy to offer homeowners dependable chimney services. No one understands better than expert chimney sweeps just why your chimney crown is important and the most vulnerable of all the chimney components. We know chimneys from top to bottom and offer maintenance and repair services for every part.
For fireplace installation, chimney crown rebuilds, tuckpointing (also known as mortar replacement), masonry repairs, chimney cap replacement, chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, and more, call or fill out our online form today.
