Chimney Caps, Chimney Chase Covers & Chimney Crowns: Why They’re All Important

The top of a chimney is where damage and problems often begin. When this area isn’t protected, all kinds of things can eventually go wrong throughout the chimney system. National Chimney Cleaners of Fairfield County, CT, and Morris County, NJ, would like to explain a little about three key protective parts of modern chimney and chimney chase systems.

Chimney Caps

By most definitions, chimney caps are full-width components that protect the flue opening, the chimney crown and the bricks of a masonry chimney. Flue covers, also sometimes referred to as “chimney caps,” protect only the flue opening.

Features of full-width chimney caps:

• Installed at the top of chimneys that serve masonry fireplaces.
• Solid, angled cover that forces rain and snow to run off and away from the chimney’s bricks and mortar.
• Covers and protects the vulnerable concrete chimney crown.
• Top shield that keeps water from falling into the flue.
• Vertical mesh sides to release smoke and gases while keeping debris and small animals out of the chimney.

Chimney Chase Covers

These components function similarly to full-width caps.

Features of chase covers:

• Protects the entire top of the chase, which houses the drafting pipe connected to manufactured fireplaces.
• Designed to keep rain and melting snow from running down the sides of the chase structure.
• Vertical cover that drafts smoke and prevents the intrusion of water and debris

Chimney Crowns

A chimney crown covers the entire top of the chimney minus the flue opening.

Features of chimney crowns:

• A solid concrete slab that’s part of the chimney structure.
• Protects the tops of the bricks under the crown from damaging rain and snow.
• Slanted design encourages water to run off the crown and away from the sides of the chimney.
• Guards the interior chimney spaces outside the flue.

What Can Happen When These Components Are Damaged?

Rain and moisture are key enemies of chimney systems. Water running into the flue and other interior spaces can lead to a lot of serious problems. Water that penetrates the bricks and mortar of a chimney can cause significant deterioration.

Here are some of the types of damage that can occur when a chimney cap, chase cover or chimney crown is compromised:

• Brick decay and mortar crumbling
• Chimney structural weakening
• Flames and deadly carbon monoxide escaping from a cracked chimney liner
• Rotting in the chimney chase material
• Invasive water damage to fireplace dampers, fireboxes and nearby materials of the home
• Backups of smoke and combustion gases caused by debris blockages
• Worse-case: collapsed chimney, house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning

How To Prevent All This

When chimney caps, chase covers and crowns are all in good shape and working correctly, you’ll avoid a lot of damage and problems. This is easily accomplished by scheduling annual chimney inspections and keeping an eye on your chimney in between inspections.

Safety note: Components at the top of a chimney can only be seen well by getting up there and taking a look. If you don’t feel 100% safe climbing around on your roof, don’t do it. Contact your local chimney services company and schedule a visit from a technician who spends plenty of time on customers’ roofs.

If you suspect that any part of your chimney is damaged and needs repair, call National Chimney Cleaners in Fairfield, CT, or Morris County, NJ. You can reach us by phone or through our contact form.