Chase cover repair and replacement in Stoneybrook Hills

Patching a rusted top versus replacing it

Roof cement, tape or a bead of caulk over a rust hole can slow a leak for a while. The patch sits on metal that keeps thinning around it, and the next hole opens nearby. Patches also add bumps that hold water on the surface. When rust has perforated the sheet in more than one place, we recommend a new cover and explain the reasoning on the estimate, including what a patch would and would not accomplish on your chase.

Planning ahead for a future fireplace change

If you are considering replacing the fireplace or changing what the chase serves, tell us before the cover is made. A new unit may use a different pipe diameter or position, and its collar needs to match. Building the cover for the current pipe and then cutting a new hole later weakens the sheet and invites leaks. When a change is firm, we plan the cover around it. When it is uncertain, we lay out the tradeoffs. The same goes for a planned reroof, since a thicker roof can change the height the pipe needs above the cover.

Getting the chase top ready before storm season

The Atlantic hurricane season, as the National Hurricane Center defines it, runs from June 1 through November 30. A cover with rusted screws, a lifted corner or a loose storm collar is easier to deal with before then. A pre-season inspection lets us secure or replace what is loose, and it leaves you a written note of the chase top's condition. If a storm has already damaged the cover on your Stoneybrook Hills home, our 24/7 emergency line can help you plan the next step.

What to tell us when you call

A few details help us plan the inspection of your Stoneybrook Hills chase, and none of them requires a ladder. You do not need to know the metal or the fireplace model. If you still have closing papers or the fireplace manual, those help too. If the fireplace is on a second floor or behind furniture, mention it so we plan the inside look as well.

• When you first noticed rust, stains or noise
• Whether the fireplace burns wood and is still in use
• Whether the roof or siding was replaced recently
• How many stories the chase rises