Dangers of a Cracked Crown
You look at your chimney every day, but do you ever really consider it, its purpose, and its individual components? A vital part of your chimney’s makeup is its crown. If your chimney’s crown is cracked, not only will it be an eyesore, but a cracked crown can do immeasurable damage to your chimney. Water will enter through the crack in the crown and, over time, destroy your chimney from the top down. There are additional dangers of a cracked crown; read on to find out more.
Understanding of a Cracked Crown
Your chimney’s crown sits on top of your masonry chimney and is a slab comprised of stone or concrete. It’s there to protect the top of your chimney from the effects of weather, unforgiving sunlight, or any objects that might strike it, like a fallen tree limb or large hail. So, you can see the crown’s crucial role in protecting the rest of your chimney.
Possible Causes of a Damaged Chimney Crown
There are numerous possibilities that can cause damage to your chimney’s crown. Among the possible culprits are:
The Weather
Protracted exposure to wind, rain, and sunlight can have an adverse effect on your chimney’s crown, weakening it and making it more likely to crack.
Concrete Shrinkage
If the concrete used to construct your chimney’s crown was improperly mixed and managed after application, shrinkage can occur and produce cracks.
Bad Installation
If the workmanship was lax during the installation of the chimney crown, it would undoubtedly lead to cracks developing in it.
The Effects of a Cracked Crown
Water can find its way into your crown and do real harm when it is cracked. How? When the bricks in your chimney become saturated, they will begin to expand and contract when temperatures drop below freezing. This repeated motion slowly breaks down the bricks in your chimney until they begin to break or crumble. One of the telltale signs of this process, known as spalling, is a white powder on the exterior of your chimney called efflorescence. The powder is a type of salt pushed out of the bricks during the freeze-thaw cycle. If the crack in your chimney is not addressed, it will lead to major repairs or replacements.
What Happens if Your Chimney Crown Needs to Be Repaired?
When damage to the crown occurs, you must choose a qualified and experienced chimney sweep service with an impeccable reputation, such as Dubuque Fireplace and Patio. A certified chimney sweep will inspect the crack in your chimney’s crown to see the extent of the damage and then will examine the rest of your chimney, both inside and out. If no damage has been done to the rest of the chimney, only the crown will be patched or replaced. If the rest of the chimney has extensive damage, then it may need to be rebuilt. You can clearly understand why damage to a chimney crown shouldn’t be ignored.
Inspection After Repairs
Once the repairs to your chimney’s crown are finished, a chimney sweep will conduct a final inspection to ensure the integrity of the repairs is sufficient and that no additional areas need to be addressed.
Don’t Do It Yourself
Remember, while some handy individuals may be tempted to take on chimney crown repairs as a DIY project, it will end up in disaster. Using a qualified chimney sweep service guarantees the project is done right and safely. Due to your chimney crown’s important role in guarding against water damage, repairs by a professional chimney sweep are a smart investment for the future health of your chimney and house.
Dubuque Fireplace and Patio Can Repair or Replace Your Chimney’s Crown
Not sure if your chimney crown is in good shape? Do you suspect there is a crack in the crown? Contact us right away to avoid widespread structural damage to your chimney. We will gladly discuss scheduling our chimney sweeps to come to your home and inspect your chimney’s crown. Don’t wait until there is a catastrophe with your chimney; get in touch today.
