Chimney crown repair in Shorewood, IL
The crown is the slab that closes the top of a brick chimney. When it cracks, rain runs straight into the stack. We seal it, resurface it or rebuild it.
- Cracks sealed
- Slabs resurfaced
- Crowns rebuilt
A small slab with a big job
The crown sits above the brick and below the cap. Its edges overhang the sides of the stack so that water drips clear of the walls. A slab that has cracked or worn thin no longer does that.
Because it is the first thing the rain meets, a crown that fails soaks everything under it, which is why we look at it on almost every chimney visit.
- Hairline cracks across the top
- A slab that crumbles or flakes
- Water stains on the bricks below the top
- Gaps between the crown and the flue tile
- A flat top with no slope
- White mineral deposits on the upper brick
What you get with Chimney crown repair
Water shed, not absorbed
A sound crown sends rain off the stack instead of into the brick.
Fewer freeze-thaw cracks
With less water getting in, there is less to freeze and split the masonry.
A repair that fits the damage
We seal what can be sealed and rebuild only what has to be.
Protection for what is below
The brick and the joints under the crown last longer when the top is sound.
Three ways a crown gets repaired
Which one fits depends on how much of the slab is left.
- Sealing narrow cracks with a flexible, masonry-grade product
- Resurfacing a worn slab with a coating of crown repair mortar
- Rebuilding a slab that has failed, with a new sloped pour and drip edge
Timing and weather
Crown coatings and mortar need dry, mild days to cure. In the cold months we judge each day on its own, and a sealant can bridge the gap until the weather lets a full repair go ahead.
Chimney crown repair questions
What does a crown look like when it has failed?
Look for cracks you can see from the ground with a pair of binoculars, flaking pieces on the roof or lawn, or dark streaks on the brick directly below the top of the stack.
Is a coating enough?
For a slab that is still sound, yes. If it has broken up or lost its slope, resurfacing alone will not last and a rebuild is the better answer.
Why do crowns crack?
Weather mostly: water gets into small flaws and freezes, which widens them each winter. A slab that was poured without enough slope or overhang also tends to fail sooner.
Do you also do the cap?
Yes. The cap sits on the flue and the crown lies below it, and since the two work together as the top of the chimney, they are often done in the same visit.
Other services we provide
Chimney cap services
New stainless caps and multi-flue covers that block rain, leaves and animals but not the smoke.
Chimney flashing repair
Step flashing and counter-flashing replaced or tied into the brick where the chimney meets the roof.
Masonry restoration
Failing mortar joints and bricks repaired or rebuilt, so the stack stays sound through the next winter.
Ready to book your crown repair?
Fireplace, stove or insert? Tell us which, leave your number, and we call to set up a visit.