Copper tops
Copper covers last a long time and develop a patina over time for homes where looks matter.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Camden, NJ
The chase cover on a Camden home with a factory-built fireplace can be swapped for one that sheds water with a sloped top, drip edge and sealed collar around the flue. Call (856) 353-2481 to reach a local chimney sweep.
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. Its job is to keep water out of the framing and away from the fireplace below.
The cover that comes with most homes is a thin galvanized pan, frequently with no slope at all. Water pools on a flat galvanized top until rust sets in, and then it leaks. Rust running down the chase is usually the first clue.
Once water gets in, it can travel down the chase and into the fireplace. Over time it leads to rot in the framing, rust on the fireplace and mold in damp areas. Catching a bad cover early keeps the repair simple.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chase cover replacement in Camden, NJ can go hand in hand with chimney cap installation and chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Camden, NJ right now? Call (856) 353-2481 to reach a nearby 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.
Size the cover
The chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. Most replacement covers are made to order.
Take off the old top
The old chase top is removed, along with any rusted fasteners. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
Set the cover
The new cover is set in place with its skirt over the siding and a hem that kicks water off the edge. It is fastened through the skirt, not through the top.
Reinstall the cap
The storm collar is sealed around the flue pipe and the chimney cap is reinstalled or replaced. The finished top is checked for gaps.
What is included
Chase cover work
Stainless covers
Stainless steel is the most common replacement material and do not leave rust streaks.
Cross break designs
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off and keep the cover drier.
Drip edges
A hemmed drip edge on the skirt kicks water away from the siding and reduce staining.
Chimney caps
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed to keep out animals and rain.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Camden, NJ
Chase repair goes hand in hand with replacing a cover that has been leaking. The work may include new framing, new sheathing, siding repairs and drying or replacing insulation. Leaks can come from the roof line as well, so the flashing gets a look.
When you call (856) 353-2481 from Camden, mention where you have seen water or rust, since it helps locate the leak. Some chase repairs need carpentry, so ask how that work is handled. Rot under the cover needs attention before the new cover goes on.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
Around Camden, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. In Camden and places nearby like Woodlynne, Collingswood, Oaklyn and Merchantville, snow and rain sitting on flat chase tops speed up rust, which is why a chase cover is worth checking when the chimney is swept.
For chase cover replacement in Camden, NJ or nearby towns like Woodlynne, Collingswood, Oaklyn and Merchantville, call (856) 353-2481 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, 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 Camden is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Camden know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chase cover replacement
What does a chase cover do?
It is the metal lid on top of a chimney chase, which is the framed box around a prefab chimney. Without it, water would run straight into the chase. The cap and cover work together to keep water out.
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
Quality covers in stainless or copper hold up for a long time. Good design keeps water off the cover and the siding. Have it checked during chimney sweeping.
Why are there rust streaks on my chimney siding?
Rust usually comes from a galvanized cover that has started to break down. Water pooling on a flat cover speeds up corrosion. The rust then runs down the siding as brown streaks.
Can a leaking chase cover be repaired?
Patching a rusted chase cover is usually a short term fix. Most sweeps recommend replacement once rust has set in. The framing beneath should be checked while the cover is off.
Why is there water in my prefab 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.
More questions? Call (856) 353-2481
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney 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, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesNeed chase cover replacement in Camden, NJ?
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(856) 353-2481
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