Chimney Crown Repair in DC, MD & VA
Chimney Crown Repair
A chimney crown is the masonry top of a chimney or the “roof” that covers the chimney’s brick-and-mortar work. You may not give much thought to the chimney crown sitting high up on the roof, but it’s vital for protecting the structure beneath it from harsh weather. What many people don’t realize is that the crown itself also needs protection. Without repair and maintenance, this crucial capstone will eventually crack and deteriorate, leaving the chimney vulnerable to water intrusion and damage.
Whether you’ve noticed that your chimney crown is crumbling or you want to prevent small cracks from spreading, the experts at Chimney.com can help. We specialize in chimney repair for residential and commercial buildings in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. With over 30 years of experience to draw from, you can trust us to complete the repair to your standards.
How the Freeze-Thaw Cycle Affects Chimney Crowns
Temperature fluctuations in the winter can cause severe damage to any exterior masonry work, including chimney crowns. When the temperature is above freezing, masonry absorbs water from rain and snow. Then, as the temperature falls, this moisture freezes and expands tiny cracks in the masonry ever so slightly. As the temperature rises again, the ice thaws and the masonry absorbs more moisture into the increasingly larger cracks. This process repeats all winter long, exacerbated by the high heat your chimney crown must endure every time you light a fire in the fireplace.
Eventually, an untreated chimney crown will deteriorate and allow water to seep into the masonry of the chimney beneath it, causing even more damage and requiring a more extensive repair. The goal is to prevent this scenario by performing chimney crown repair before the freeze-thaw damage becomes severe.
Flex Crown for Chimney Crown Repair
If caught early, small cracks and slight separations in the chimney crown can be repaired. We do this by applying a special silicone-based mortar preserve called flex crown. The paint-like material adheres to the mortar, flexing with the expansion and contraction that accompanies the changing temperatures.
By eliminating cracks and coating the porous mortar surface, flex crown (also known as crown coat or crown seal) waterproofs the top of your chimney, preventing the damaging freeze-thaw cycle from having any effect. This inexpensive repair can extend the life of your chimney crown for several years and save you thousands of dollars in chimney repair and replacement costs.
Masonry Chimney Crown Replacement
A chimney repair expert will assess the condition of your damaged chimney crown and determine if it can be repaired or should be replaced. It may be possible to fill large cracks with high-quality exterior silicone or acrylic caulk before applying flex crown. However, if the damage is extensive, we may recommend replacing the chimney crown.
In this case, the old masonry is removed, and a new crown is laid in its place. This requires special care and construction knowledge, especially because the process must be completed on the roof. Leave the job to our qualified chimney repair team for the best results. To protect the new installation from future damage, we will apply flex crown before deeming the job complete.
Schedule Chimney Crown Repair in MD, DC & VA
Choosing the right chimney repair company is vital to ensure a job well done. At Chimney.com, we have been exceeding customer expectations since 1989. Whether you hire us to repair your chimney crown or replace the mortar completely, we promise to finish the job on time and within budget. We guarantee the quality of our work and can provide numerous references from satisfied commercial and residential customers. Contact us online or at (301) 989-3300 today to learn more about our chimney crown repair services!
Where Are Chimney Services Available?
Our service area includes most of Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. Here’s a partial list of cities we serve.
- Washington
- Bethesda
- Herndon
- Hyattsville
- College Park
- Alexandria
- Great Falls
- Potomac
- McLean
- Chevy Chase
- Hanover
- Ellicott City
- Gaithersburg
- Laurel
- Kettering
- Vienna
- Columbia
- Glenelg
- Fulton
- Woodstock
- West Friendship
- North Laurel
- Dayton
- Elkridge
- Silver Spring
- NOVA
- Washington DC
Don’t see your city listed? We may still offer chimney services in your area – contact us to inquire!