A Well-Built Chimney Crown Prevents Expensive Repairs Down the Line

The chimney crown sits at the top of your masonry chimney, stretching from the flue liner to the chimney edge. Its job is to direct the water that falls off the chimney cap out and away from the sides of your chimney, so the bricks and mortar face less exposure. Without a properly constructed crown in place, you’re bound to face chimney leaks, along with some serious deterioration.

The main problem we see with chimney crowns is that they were either built with an unreliable mortar mix to begin with or that they aren’t overhanging enough to effectively send water away. Fortunately, our crew has over 40 years of experience and knows exactly how to set homeowners in Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, and more up with a crown that can offer reliable protection through it all.

Qualities of a Properly Constructed Crown

So, what are the features of a properly built chimney crown?

• Chimney crowns should be built from a Portland cement-based mixture.
• Chimney crowns should overhang the edge of your chimney by at least 2 inches.
• Chimney crowns should slope downward to ensure water doesn’t pool and cause damage.
• Chimney crowns should be at least 2 inches thick at their thinnest point.

If these guidelines are not met, your crown will be more vulnerable to cracking and decay, which will in turn leave the rest of your system more vulnerable to leaks and water-related damages.

Like with most chimney services, this is one you want done right the first time by a qualified and experienced professional. We’ve seen our fair share of poorly built crowns here at Madewell, and we’ve seen the amount of damage they can cause, too. Invest in a job well done right off the bat to ensure you aren’t stuck paying hundreds in repairs, replacement parts, or rebuilds down the line.

Schedule Repairs With Us Today

Water damage isn’t something to mess around with when it comes to your chimney and fireplace. Once deterioration begins, it will only get worse with time, eventually leading to rotting, rust formation, clogging, foul odors, brick discoloration, staining on your walls and ceiling, fire hazards, potential gas leaks, and more.

Trust our licensed and insured team to set you up right from the beginning. Call us at 901-443-1036 to schedule a visit or you can reach out to us online, too. We’d love to hear from you soon!

A professional flashing repair may be exactly what’s needed to fix your chimney leak. Call us for more information.