Our Company Blog

The Importance Of A Chimney Chase Cover

Do you know what’s protecting your prefabricated chimney and fireplace? The answer should be a sturdy chimney chase cover! So, if you’re not familiar with what sits atop your chimney, it’s important you get acquainted with your chimney chase cover. This acts as your chimney’s primary defense against intruders!

What exactly is a chimney chase cover?

On a prefabricated chimney, the chase cover sits at the top of the chimney’s flue. It seals off the box that houses the chimney, called the chase, to the chimney’s flue. The opening of the chase cover should be topped with a chimney cap to keep water from running down the chimney flue.

Why does my chimney need a chase cover?

The chase cover is your chimney’s primary defense against the elements. The chase cover keeps water from running into the chimney chase. In addition, it directs water away from the chimney flue. The chase cover also keeps out animal intruders, including squirrels, birds, and raccoons. These critters like to nest inside chimneys, or accidentally find their way into chimneys and become trapped. Also, the chase also keeps out debris, such as falling leaves and twigs.

Why should I worry about my chase cover?

Oftentimes, prefabricated chimneys are installed with cheap, galvanized metal chase covers. However, these chase covers are not durable. Consequently, they corrode and develop cracks and holes that can let water in. Once a chase cover begins to deteriorate, your chimney is no longer protected from water and animal intruders.

How can I tell if my chase cover is in good repair?

If your chimney chase cover is failing, your fireplace could be giving you some signs that it is no longer protected.  So, you may notice rusty streaks down the exterior sides of your chase, or see signs of water or rust within your fireplace. These may include a rusting damper, fireplace grate or doors, or you might see water pooling at the bottom of your fireplace! Of course, the best way to gauge the health of your chase cover is to have your chimney inspected. In addition, during your annual sweeping and inspection, your chimney sweep will inspect your chase cover. If you are unsure of its health, be sure to ask your sweep!

What do I do if my chimney needs a new chase cover?

If your chase cover is failing, Your Chimney Sweep can help! We offer replacement chase covers that we can install securely over your chase to keep it safe for years to come! Our chase covers come in durable materials. We carry copper, which is the more expensive but more durable option, and stainless steel, which provides a sleek look and secure protection for your chase.

If your chimney and chase cover are overdue for an inspection, or if you’ve noticed signs that your chase cover is failing, call Your Chimney Sweep at 317-243-9687 to schedule an appointment today!

Signs of chimney masonry damage to look for

Winter is hard on your chimney’s masonry, as it endures the heat of your fires, the winter’s freezing temperatures and moisture from rain, snow, sleet and ice. As spring brings warmer temperatures, you should be on the lookout for some common signs of chimney masonry damage.

Chimney discoloration

Staining along the outside walls of your chimney can be one of the first signs that your chimney is absorbing and retaining moisture. Generally, the discoloration will show up as white resident, called efflorescence, along the outer walls of your chimney. You also should be on the lookout for rust streaks down the sides of your chimney, a sign that your chimney cap is corroding and wearing down.

Spalling bricks

One of the most obvious signs of masonry water damage comes in the form of spalling bricks. Spalling occurs when moisture makes its way into the porous surfaces of the bricks and freezes, causing the faces of the bricks to crumble away. That break down of chimney bricks can lead to an overall breakdown of your chimney’s structure.

Crumbling mortar

One of the most common masonry repairs comes when mortar joints break down. You’ll notice the mortar crumbling away, leaving gaps in between the bricks. This can be fixed relatively easily with a service called tuckpointing, but if left unchecked, crumbling mortar can cause your chimney to fail.

Shaling flue tiles

If you have a masonry chimney liner, constructed of clay tiles, they can crack and crumble over time, due to the high temperatures of your fireplace and exposure to moisture. A dead giveaway that your chimney flue tiles are shaling will be the presence of pieces of chimney tiles in the bottom of your firebox.

Cracked fireplace masonry

Just like your flue tiles, the bricks of your masonry fireplace can crack or crumble due to heat and moisture. While some small cracks won’t compromise your chimney, eventually cracks will need to be repaired as they expand or become more numerous.

Failing chimney crown

Your chimney crown is the masonry component that surrounds the top of your chimney. Too often, chimney crowns are improperly constructed from mortar, rather than concrete. That leaves them susceptible to cracks and crumbling, which can allow water to make its way into your chimney flue, or allow water to flow down the outer bricks of your chimney and put them at risk for water damage.

Damaged walls and ceilings

While it may not look like a masonry problem, stained walls, peeling wallpaper and sagging ceilings inside your home, along the wall your chimney’s on, can be a sign that water is seeping into your chimney’s masonry. Eventually, that water can make its way into your home’s structure and cause damage to your walls, ceilings and joists.

This spring, we encourage you to take a walk around your chimney and look for signs of potential masonry damage so you have time to have it repaired and addressed before you’re ready for your next fire in the fall. If you notice any signs of masonry damage, call Your Chimney Sweep today! We’ll help you strategize and carry out needed repairs.