Keeping water out of your chimney is one of the most essential maintenance responsibilities you have as a homeowner. Since the top of your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements and harsh weather, it is important to make sure that you have certain components in place to prevent water from entering its opening on your roof. If you have a masonry chimney, it should have a chimney crown to stop water from rain, melted ice, and snow from getting inside your home. Without a chimney crown on the top of the flue, your chimney is at a high risk for corrosion and spalling damage, bird and animal invasions, and other problems. Blue Ridge Chimney Services provides professional chimney masonry construction, repair, and installation services to residents of the Shenandoah Valley, and we would like to answer a few frequently answered questions about chimney crowns.
How long can I expect my chimney crown to last?
Although masonry materials are durable enough to last for a lifetime, they do need to be properly maintained and repaired. Constructed from mortar, chimney crowns can become cracked and chipped after years of exposure to rain, ice, and snow. Once this occurs, the damage can become worse, especially after the winter season. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), masonry deterioration can worsen quickly because of the damage that occurs to bricks and mortar during freeze/thaw periods. To prolong the life of your chimney crown, you should have it professionally waterproofed to prevent this type of winter weather damage and deterioration.
When should I have my chimney crown professionally inspected and repaired?
Because of the extensive damage that can possibly occur during the winter, Blue Ridge Chimney Services recommends having your crown inspected every spring. This will prevent further water penetration damage from occurring during the heavy rains during the warmer months of the year. Since certain weather conditions are needed to perform chimney masonry repairs, spring and summer inspections guarantee that any necessary repairs can be done properly.
To best protect your home from water penetration damage, you also need a chimney cap professionally installed on the top of your chimney, especially if your crown has been repaired. Contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services today to schedule an appointment for a chimney crown inspection.