Expansion joints
The flue tile is separated from the crown to prevent the most common type of crown crack.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Crown Repair Burlington, NJ
A Burlington chimney technician can repair the crown, the concrete slab that seals the top of the chimney around the flue, with a design that sheds water past the masonry. Call (609) 699-0240 to reach a local chimney sweep.
A chimney crown covers the top of the brick and slopes away from the flue so water runs off instead of soaking in. Because it faces every storm, freeze and heat wave head on, the crown is usually the first part of the chimney to fail. Once it cracks, water runs straight into the brick and mortar below, and every freeze widens the crack.
People often confuse the crown with the cap, but they are different parts. A cap is metal and covers the flue opening, while the crown is concrete and covers the rest of the chimney top. One cannot stand in for the other.
A lot of crown failures trace back to the original construction. Builders and roofers often form the crown from mortar mix spread thin and flush with the brick, with no overhang and no gap around the flue tile. Mortar shrinks and cracks under weather, and an expanding flue tile will split a crown that has no room for movement.
Many chimney crown repair calls in Burlington also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Need chimney crown repair in Burlington? Call (609) 699-0240 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a crown repair
Here is how a chimney technician typically handles a crown repair.
Inspect the crown
The technician checks the crown for crack size and depth, overhang, slope and the joint around the flue tile. Damage to the top courses of brick or the flue tile is noted too.
Prep the crown
Any crumbling material is chipped away and the surface is prepared. Good prep decides how long the repair lasts.
Seal minor cracks
Hairline cracks in an otherwise sound crown are filled and the whole crown is coated with a flexible, elastomeric crown sealer. It is the least invasive fix when the crown is still intact.
Recast the top
If the crown is crumbling, thin or cracked through, it is removed and a new one is formed and cast. The new crown is sloped, overhangs the brick with a drip edge and is thick enough to resist cracking.
Flue tile joint
A bond break is left between the crown and the flue tile so the tile can expand without cracking the crown. That one detail prevents the most common crown cracks.
Cap the flue
With the crown done, a cap with a mesh screen is added to keep rain and animals out of the flue. It is a good moment to repoint the top courses if needed.
What is included
Crown work a chimney sweep handles
Crown replacement
A failed crown is replaced with a properly built concrete crown built to last through many winters.
Crown sealer
Hairline cracks are sealed with a flexible crown coating before water and frost can widen them.
Overhangs
The crown extends past the chimney face so water drips clear instead of running down the brick.
Top course repair
The brick under the crown is repointed or replaced where needed so the new crown sits on sound masonry.
Related service
Chimney Crown Replacement Burlington, NJ
A crown that is breaking apart or was built from thin mortar usually needs to be replaced rather than coated. The old crown is broken out down to the brick, and the top courses are checked and repaired if needed. Some crowns are cast in place on the chimney, and others use a precast crown set on a bed of mortar, both with an overhang and a gap around the flue.
In Burlington, the weather affects when a crown can be replaced. Fresh concrete should not freeze while it cures, which makes mild weather the best time for the job. A winter crown failure can often be sealed temporarily to buy time until warmer weather. Make sure the plan includes a drip edge and a flexible joint around the flue, not just new concrete.
Local help
Chimney Crown Repair Near Me
Around Burlington, crown cracks usually show up after a winter of freezing and thawing. From Burlington out to neighboring communities such as Florence, Beverly, Roebling and Bordentown, many original crowns are thin, flush with the brick and locked tight against the flue tile, which is a recipe for cracking, so sealing cracks early or replacing a poorly built crown protects the rest of the chimney.
For chimney crown repair in Burlington, NJ or nearby towns like Florence, Beverly, Roebling and Bordentown, call (609) 699-0240 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in Burlington is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Burlington and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Crown Repair FAQ
Why did my chimney crown crack?
The most common causes are freeze-thaw cycles, poor construction and flue tile expansion. Thin mortar crowns with no room for flue tile movement tend to crack early. Water and frost then finish the job.
When does a chimney crown need replacing?
A properly built concrete crown with an overhang and expansion joint can last for decades. Poorly built crowns crack early and need attention more often. An annual inspection catches cracks while they can still be sealed.
Is a cracked chimney crown a big deal?
Crown cracks start small but cause damage well beyond the crown. Water that gets through a crack soaks the brick and mortar, freezes and causes spalling, crumbling joints and leaks. Sealing a crack early is a small job, while ignoring it can lead to rebuilding the top of the chimney.
Can a cracked chimney crown be repaired?
How far the cracking goes decides it. Minor surface cracks are usually sealed with an elastomeric crown sealer. If the crown is cracked through, crumbling or missing pieces, replacement is the better option.
Is a chimney crown the same as a chimney cap?
A crown is masonry and seals the top of the chimney, while a cap is a metal hood with a screen that covers the flue itself. The crown keeps water out of the brick, and the cap keeps rain, animals and debris out of the flue. A cap cannot make up for a cracked crown.
More questions? Call (609) 699-0240
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides so water, birds and debris stay out of the flue.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Masonry Repair
Fixing the brick, stone and mortar that hold a chimney together, with materials matched to the original masonry.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn more
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