Copper tops
Copper covers last a long time and develop a patina over time that pairs well with copper flashing.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Cecilton, MD
A rusted or leaking chase cover in Cecilton can be replaced with a custom stainless steel or copper cover before rust and standing water cause leaks into the chase and fireplace. One call to (443) 899-3075 reaches a nearby sweep who handles chase covers.
Homes with prefab fireplaces often have a chimney chase, which is a framed box around the metal flue pipe. A chase cover is the metal lid on top of the chase, with a collar where the flue comes through. Everything inside the chase depends on that cover staying watertight.
Builder grade chase covers are usually galvanized steel cut flat across the top. A flat galvanized pan collects water, rusts through and stains the siding below. By the time rust streaks show up, water may already be getting into the chase.
Water that gets past the cover can do real damage inside the chase. It can rot the wood framing and sheathing, soak insulation, rust the metal fireplace and flue pipe and leave stains on ceilings or walls near the fireplace. Replacing the cover early is far easier than repairing a rotted chase.
Many chase cover replacement calls in Cecilton also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Cecilton, MD right now? Call (443) 899-3075 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chase cover replacement process
A chase cover has to be sized to the chase and the flue, so measuring comes first.
Look for damage
The condition of the cover, collar and chase top is checked. Damage below the cover may need repair before the new cover goes on.
Take measurements
The outside dimensions of the chase, the flue location and the collar size are measured. Most replacement covers are made to order.
Pull the cap
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
Set the cover
The new cover goes on with a slope or cross break so water runs off, and a drip edge that sheds water away from the siding. Fasteners are placed so they do not create new leaks.
Seal the collar
A sealed storm collar and cap close up the opening at the flue. The finished top is checked for gaps.
What is included
Chase cover work
Skirt hems
A hemmed drip edge on the skirt kicks water away from the siding which protects trim and siding.
Sloped tops
Shaped tops shed water instead of holding it and keep the cover drier.
Stainless covers
Stainless steel covers resist rust far better than galvanized steel and can be powder coated to match the house.
Storm collars
A new storm collar and cap finish the top so water cannot run down the flue pipe.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Cecilton, MD
When a chase cover has leaked for a while, the chase itself often needs repair too. The work may include new framing, new sheathing, siding repairs and drying or replacing insulation. Flashing where the chase meets the roof is checked too.
When you call (443) 899-3075 from Cecilton, mention where you have seen water or rust, since it helps locate the leak. Chase repairs may involve a carpenter or siding contractor for larger framing work. Fixing the cover without fixing rot underneath only delays the problem.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
Chase covers in Cecilton face every kind of weather the year brings, from summer storms to winter snow. Homes in Cecilton and nearby towns such as Elkton, North East, Perryville and Havre de Grace often have chase covers that were installed when the house was built and never replaced, which is why a chase cover is worth checking when the chimney is swept.
For chase cover replacement in Cecilton, MD or nearby towns like Elkton, North East, Perryville and Havre de Grace, call (443) 899-3075 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Cecilton is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Cecilton
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Cecilton and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chase cover replacement
What does a chase cover do?
A chase cover is the metal top on a framed chimney chase, the boxed enclosure around a factory-built chimney pipe. It keeps rain and snow out of the chase, which protects the framing and the fireplace below. The chimney cap is a separate part that sits on the flue above it.
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
A stainless steel or copper chase cover can last for decades. Good design keeps water off the cover and the siding. Inspections every year catch problems early.
Can water from a chase cover damage my fireplace?
A failed chase cover is one of the most common causes of water in a factory-built fireplace. That can rust the firebox, damage refractory panels and soak the area around the fireplace. A new cover and collar are often the fix.
Why is my chase cover rusting?
Many original chase covers are made of galvanized steel, which rusts once its protective coating wears away. Flat tops that hold water rust faster. That rust washes down and stains the siding below.
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
Patching a rusted chase cover is usually a short term fix. Most sweeps recommend replacement once rust has set in. Any rot underneath should be repaired at the same time.
More questions? Call (443) 899-3075
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Fitting a metal cap over the top of the flue sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
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Call (443) 899-3075 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Cecilton, MD.
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