Have you ever heard of a chimney crown? Many people have no idea what a chimney crown is, but it is an essential piece of your chimney’s equipment. In fact, having a chimney crown may even help to prevent damage to your roof. Here is the definitive guide to chimney crowns in the San Antonio area.
What Is a Chimney Crown? How Can I Tell If I Have One?
A chimney crown is exactly what it sounds like. Just like a king has a crown that sits on top of his head, a chimney crown is a cap, usually made of metal or concrete, that sits on top of your chimney. It allows smoke and fumes to escape, but it acts as a protective shield for your chimney as well. The primary reason you need a crown on top of your chimney is to keep rainwater out of your flue, which leads to your fireplace.
It is fairly easy to determine if you have a chimney crown or not. Just walk outside your home and look up at your fireplace stack that is rising from your roof. If you have a chimney crown, you will see a cap or a cover on top of your chimney. If you don’t have a chimney crown, you will not see any device on top of your chimney.
What’s the Difference Between a Chimney Crown and a Chimney Cap
A chimney crown sits directly on top of your chimney and can be made of metal, stone or concrete. A chimney cap does not attach to the top of your chimney cap. Instead, it attaches to the inside of your chimney, which is called the flue. The chimney cap’s job is a little different than the chimney crown. Chimney caps protect the flue and the bricks from embers that may escape upward and cause a fire. A chimney crown protects the chimney and flue from water damage.
Why Do I Need a Chimney Crown?
In San Antonio, storms can happen without warning, and dump a huge amount of rain in a short period of time. You are going to want to protect your flue. Over time, if you don’t have a chimney cap, rainwater will leak down into your flue. If enough water leaks into your flue, it can begin to wear away the mortar holding the bricks together. This means you will begin to lose bricks, which could cause damage not only to your chimney but to your roof as well. Also, if enough water leaks into your flue, you could begin to lose flue tiles as well. Eventually, all of this water damage could mean you will have to replace your chimney.
If I Don’t Have a Chimney Crown on My Chimney, What Should I Do?
If you don’t currently have a chimney crown, that doesn’t mean you can’t get one now. You should have your chimney checked first to make sure there is no damage to it, and then you can have a chimney crown installed. You can choose to have your chimney crown made using metal. Many chimney crows are made from galvanized metal. If you don’t like the look of galvanized metal, you could opt for concrete or even stone. Many people like stone crowns that match the stone on their houses for a nice decorator look.
What If My Chimney Crown Looks Damaged?
You can have your chimney crown inspected at the same time you have your roof inspected. If your chimney crown is damaged, you can check to see if it can be repaired. One of the major reasons homeowners have trouble with chimney crowns is periods of extremely hot weather or extremely cold weather. Depending on the year, San Antonio can experience both extreme heat and extreme cold.
If you’re lucky, your chimney crown has a few cracks that can be fixed using a sealer. There are sealers that are safe for fireplaces, flues, and chimney crowns. However, if your chimney crown is too damaged, you won’t want to leave it. Instead, you’ll need to have it replaced. Not sure about your chimney crown situation at your house? Do you think you might need a repair? We can help. Why not contact Roof Fix in San Antonio today and let us help you get your chimney protected?
