Chimney crown repair and sealing in Haralson Estates

Hairline cracks on a sound crown

Fine cracks across a crown that is otherwise solid are common, and they are welcome news at any crown inspection. The concrete still has its strength, and the cracks can be cleaned, filled and covered with a coating made for chimney crowns.

Our crew taps the whole surface to confirm the concrete around the cracks is sound before recommending a coating. If it is, the repair is usually a single visit for Haralson Estates homeowners. We give you the coating's name and the care instructions in writing.

Sealing hairline cracks early keeps a crown in service far longer than waiting for them to open. Once water starts moving through them, the concrete around the cracks weakens and a coating job turns into a rebuild. A yearly look is usually enough to catch them in time.

What a full crown rebuild includes

A crown rebuild covers the whole top of the chimney. The old crown comes off, the top brick is checked, forms go up, reinforcement goes in, and a new sloped crown is cast with an overhang and drip.

After it cures, the flue joint gets its sealant and any cap is refitted. Our written estimate lists each of those steps, and at the end of the job we walk you through them so you know exactly what you paid for.

A rebuild also includes protecting the flue during the work and checking it afterward, so no debris is left inside. If the cap needs replacing, it is fitted once the crown has cured. Everything is listed, so you can see what the rebuild includes and what it leaves out.

• Old crown removed down to sound masonry
• Forms, reinforcement and a sloped pour
• Bond break and sealant at each flue

Crown sealers versus brick water repellents

Crown coatings and brick water repellents are different products. A crown coating forms a flexible film over the concrete top, while a masonry water repellent soaks into the brick face and leaves it able to breathe.

Brick Industry Association guidance on clear coatings stresses letting masonry release moisture. Using the wrong product in the wrong place can trap water, so our technicians match the product to the surface and the estimate names each one.

The crown also needs a surface that sheds water without trapping any underneath. Our technicians check that the product suits the crown's condition, and we explain how the surface should look and behave once it cures.

What our technician checks on a crown

A crown inspection is more than a glance at the top. Our technician looks at the surface, taps for hollow areas, checks the edges and drip, watches how the top drains and examines the joint at each flue.

Everything goes into a written summary in plain language, with a recommendation for each finding. The inspection is free, and so is the estimate.

The inspection also covers the brick at the top of the chimney and the cap. If anything outside the crown needs attention, we tell you, and it shows up as a separate line on the estimate so you can decide.

• Surface cracks and how deep they run
• Hollow or loose sections
• Edges, corners and the drip line
• Sealant and bond break at each flue