Crowns

Damaged chimney crowns are one of the biggest problems. There are also referred to as the chimney wash or cap. The crown is want covers and seals the top of the chimney. Most chimneys were built with inadequate crowns from the start. The masons who built these crowns used common mortar mix instead of a portland cement-based mixture. 

New crowns are built so they provide and overhang, or drip edge, projecting beyond all sides of the chimney at least two inches. The crown needs to be sloped on the top to provide good water run off. The over hanging drip edge helps to direct the water away from the sides of the chimney, this well help prevent erosion of the brick and mortar.