We’ll Repair & Protect Your Chimney Crown With CrownGuard
At the top of your chimney sits a crown, which is a concrete or cement top that closes off the chimney and keeps it protected against rain, snow, sleet, birds, animals, insects, and debris. This important chimney component must be in tip-top shape or it can quickly allow chimney leaks and damage. Unfortunately, crowns can crack over time as a result of freeze/thaw cycles, and if left un-repaired, these cracks will simply grow and lead to further damage. But we can help.
We repair cracked crowns with a product that seals cracks and keeps moisture out. This crown repair and waterproofing product, known as CrownGuard, flexes with the crown as it contracts and expands, which helps prevent the growth of already existing cracks. CrownGuard is UV light and heat resistant, mildew resistant, and provides permanent water protection, without altering your crown’s appearance. This clear product will not peel, and comes with a Limited Lifetime Guarantee. Plus, it’s affordable!
Is Your Crown Built To Last?
Is your crown in need of more than just repair? Although it might seem like all crowns are the same, building a good, long-lasting, and effective crown takes knowledge and expertise. Unfortunately, not all crowns are created with longevity and efficiency in mind, which is why many end up riddled with cracks and holes that allow water to enter the chimney and home. From materials to design, some crowns just don’t last. Here’s why:
Material. Oftentimes, crowns are constructed of simple mortar mix, which isn’t designed to take the heavy rain and snow that the chimney crown is often exposed to. This material will likely crack and deteriorate relatively early in its service life. A crown that’s constructed of concrete, on the other hand, will last years.
Thickness. Crowns are often made too thin, which is why they wear down rapidly and allow moisture in. A crown that’s built to last will be at least 3 inches thick at its thinnest point.
Slope. Many crowns lack any real angles to speak of, which is a problem if you think about what the crown is designed to do. The crown’s purpose is to prevent moisture from entering the chimney by directing it off of the chimney and down onto the roof. If the surface of the crown is flat, water will simply pool atop the crown instead of running off. A properly built crown, on the other hand, will have a slight slope to it on all sides so that rain water runs right off.
Drip Edge. Proper slope will direct water off of the crown, but where is it going? If a crown lacks a drip edge, it will simply dump water onto the base of the chimney and the flashing that surrounds it. This is often to blame for water-damaged masonry and flashing leaks. To prevent this type of damage, a crown’s drip edge should extend at least a couple of inches beyond the chimney stack itself.
From Repairs To Rebuilds, We Do It All
If poor materials and poor design have rendered your chimney crown ineffective, we can help. Our team has built countless high-quality crowns and knows just what it takes to build a crown that lasts. And since it can be applied to crowns in their entirety, once we’ve built your beautiful new crown, we can protect it against premature aging, deterioration, and water-damage using CrownGuard.
To request an appointment to have your chimney’s creosote removed, please call us at 248-646-8970 We’re here to help.