Chimney Care Company's Blog
Does Your Chimney Need a New Chase Top?
One of the greatest benefits of a prefabricated chimney system, particularly a gas-burning one, is the low maintenance factor. Often, homeowners forget that their easy-to-use prefabricated hearths require some regular care, and often the care these systems need is a new chimney chase cover. Neglecting your chase top can lead to serious problems for your chimney and your home. But what is a chimney chase top and how does it protect your chimney system? How do you know if your chimney requires a new chimney chase cover?
Your chimney chase top serves as a lid to your chimney system. It encloses the very top of your chimney, leaving room for individual flues to exit your home while providing a seal for the chimney. It keeps water, debris and animals from entering your home’s prefabricated chimney. If your chimney chase top is in decaying and in need of replacement, it can allow water, animals, and debris to enter your chimney, where they can cause serious damage over time. If your chimney chase top needs to be replaced, your chimney sweep should alert you during your annual chimney sweeping and inspection. Your chimney also might be sending you some signs that your chase cover needs to be replaced, such as:
Rust Stains
Most chimney chase covers are made of metal, or more specifically, steel. The first sign of breakdown for these metal chimney chase covers is usually rust. You might be able to spot rust forming on your chimney chase cover, or you might notice brownish-orange streaks or rust streaming down the sides of your chimney from the chase cover. While the rust itself isn’t a danger, rust means your chimney chase cover is breaking down. Eventually, your rusting chimney chase cover will form holes that can let water or animals access your chimney and cause damage.
Water Entering Your Home
Water enters your chimney through holes and cracks in the chase cover. You might notice water pooling on your fireplace floor, rust forming on your fireplace doors or grates, or water spots forming on your walls or ceiling. Address signs of water entering your home immediately, as they can cause major damage to your chimney and your home’s infrastructure.
Water Pooling on the Chase Cover
Some chase covers have been improperly constructed and for that reason alone need to be replaced. An improperly constructed chimney chase cover doesn’t do its job of diverting water away from the chimneys opening. Instead, it can allow water to flow back into your chimney flue or pool on top of the chase cover.
If you think you need a chimney chase cover replacement, don’t wait to call! A damaged or deteriorating chimney chase cover can lead to severe water damage. This can obviously cost you serious time and money in repairs in the future. If you need a new chimney chase cover, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your appointment today!
What is a chimney chase top? Does it need to be replaced?
Homeowners who love to use their fireplaces are usually well versed on the workings and construction from their chimneys on the inside. However, what’s happening with the chimney above the firebox is often a mystery, until they hear that the upper portion of their chimney requires some repair. One common chimney component maintenance issue with prefabricated fireplaces is the chimney chase cover. But what is the chimney chase top? And what kind of maintenance or repair could it need?
What is a chimney chase top?
You probably know that your chimney offers a direct route out of your home. That makes it an easy entryway for water, animals, and debris. A prefabricated chimney is made up of parts of factory-made wood, gas or pellet fireplace. A prefabricated chimney chase cover protects the chimney from the outside elements. Regardless of the outer material of your chimney, the chimney chase cover is a metal topper for the chimney. It’s slopped to divert the flow of water, ice or melting snow. A center opening allows smoke out, while an attached chimney cap prevents water from flowing down the opening.
Does my chimney chase cover need to be replaced?
In a prefabricated chimney system, the chimney chase cover is usually the first element to break down. Water pools on the chase cover, rust forms and holes and cracks develop. Because most contractors default to a galvanized steel chase cover, that breakdown can happen in a matter of years. If your chimney chase cover has developed holes, it should be replaced to prevent water from coming down your chimney or leaking into your home’s structure and causing damage. Aside from examining your chimney chase cover from the roof, signs your chimney chase cover needs to be replaced include:
- water in your fireplace,
- a damp smell emanating from the chimney,
- water leaking down the walls or ceiling around your chimney,
- and rust streaking down the sides of your chimney outside your home.
Of course, your chimney sweep will inspect your chase cover during your annual sweeping and inspection and let you know if your chase cover is deteriorating.
What are my options for replacing my chimney chase top?
If your chimney chase cover is failing and needs to be replaced, you’ll have a few options. The recommendation most chimney experts will give is to choose a stainless steel chimney chase cover. They are durable and long-lasting. For homeowners who want a durable chimney chase cover that adds style to their home, copper chimney chase covers are another popular choice. If you’ve noticed water coming in through your chimney, or need your cover replaced call Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment today! We can fit your chimney with a durable chimney chase top that will protect your chimney and home from water damage for years to come.