Local chase cover replacement for Lake Butler homes

The raised collar around the pipe opening

Where the chimney pipe passes through the cover, the hole needs a raised collar so water running across the top cannot drop straight down beside the pipe. One widely installed fireplace manual describes a two-inch collar that is soldered, welded or spun, a formed part of the cover rather than a loose ring set in caulk. A short collar or a split collar seam is one reason a newer-looking cover can still leak. We measure the old collar and specify the new one.

Finding your fireplace's model information

The installation instructions for your chimney system decide several details of the chase top, so the model matters. Factory-built fireplaces carry a listing label on the unit that names the maker and model. If you have the original manual, keep it handy for the visit. If not, we read the label during the inspection and locate the instructions for that system before specifying the cover for your Lake Butler home. If the label is missing or unreadable, we tell you what we could identify and how that affects the cover specification.

Comparing two chase cover quotes

Two quotes can both say chase cover replacement and describe very different jobs. Our estimate lists each of these items in plain language so a side-by-side comparison is easy. A lower price that leaves out the storm collar or uses a thinner sheet is a different job, even if both say chase cover.

• The metal and its grade, and the sheet thickness
• How the top is shaped to drain, and the collar height
• Skirt depth, drip edge and fasteners
• Whether the storm collar and cap are included
• How hidden damage under the old cover will be handled

A damp odor from the fireplace after rain

A musty or wet-ash smell from the fireplace after a storm can mean water is reaching the unit. Moisture mixes with old ash and soot, and the odor carries into the room. The source may be the chase cover, the termination cap or the joints of the pipe, so we check each in turn, beginning with the top. If cleaning the firebox is part of the fix, it appears as a separate line. The smell often fades within a few dry days once the water path is closed and the firebox is cleaned.