Local chase cover replacement for Tangerine homes

Laying out a cover for two chimney pipes

Some chases carry two chimney pipes, such as two fireplaces on different floors. Each pipe needs its own collar at its measured center, and the cover has to drain away from both. One manufacturer suggests terminations in a shared chase sit at least twenty-four inches apart center to center, at staggered heights. We measure each pipe's position on the old top and confirm the spacing before fabrication so the new openings line up with the pipes. The drainage has to work between the two collars as well, so water never pools in the space that separates them.

What we check while the top is open

The time the cover is off gives the only full view of the chase top, so we use it. Findings are recorded in writing, and anything outside the cover replacement is priced as its own item for you to approve or decline.

• The outer casing of the chimney pipe, for rust or damage
• The joints where pipe sections lock together
• The edges of the framing and sheathing at the top
• Debris, nests or wet insulation inside the enclosure

What our written estimate spells out

A clear estimate separates the cover itself from everything around it. Ours names the cover metal and thickness, the shape, the collar and storm collar work, whether the existing cap is reused or replaced, removal and disposal, and any repair to framing, siding or trim found during the inspection. Items that can wait are marked that way. You approve each part knowing its purpose and price, with no hidden fees added later. If you only want part of the work done now, the estimate makes it clear which pieces can be separated safely.

Wet insulation inside the chase

Some chases are insulated on their inside walls, and insulation soaked through a failed top stays damp for a long time. Wet insulation loses much of its value and holds moisture against the framing. If we see wet or matted insulation from the top, we note it. Whether it needs removal depends on how far it extends, which may mean opening the chase from the side, a separate job priced for your approval. Insulation that was wet only once and has dried may be fine, which is one reason we describe what we see before recommending removal.