Is It Time For A Chase Cover Replacement?

Own a prefabricated chimney? Instead of a masonry chimney, crown and cap, you use a chase and chase cover! A chimney chase is a chimney with wood, metal, or vinyl siding in which the prefabricated chimney is inside this covering. The chase cover, or chase pan, is the metal equivalent to a mortar crown that typically sits atop a masonry chimney.

What Does the Chase Cover Do?

The chase cover, like the chimney (mortar) crown, keeps water out of the chimney. It’s vitally important that the chase cover is installed securely and properly. Why? So that it keeps water from penetrating the chimney! The chase cover is designed in such a way that water runs off of it, instead of pooling and causing rust and deterioration in the metal.

Typical Problems With the Chase Cover

Chase pans, or covers, typically last 5-15 years with routine maintenance and care. They are designed to withstand weather. However, they can become damaged by animals nesting and scratching the metal and creating a weak spot. Tropical storms and high winds can also damage a chase cover. This can quickly cause deterioration and allow water into the chimney, resulting in costly water damage.

Prefabricated chimneys are typically bundled in a sale. While the chimney may be high quality, the manufacturer doesn’t always use the best materials or design for the chase cover. When this happens, the chase cover doesn’t last as long as it should. It becomes damaged more quickly than expected and can be quite bothersome. This is why it’s important to choose a chimney sweep company that you know and trust!

Hudson Chimney has been serving the Jacksonville, Florida area for over 30 years. We know the area, the municipal codes, and the climate. When we install prefab systems, we use the best products, and finish with an inspection. We are happy to inspect your chimney – even if you recently had a prefab system installed by another chimney professional. Our aim is safety and efficiency for all our customers, new and old.

Let Us Help You

When Hudson Chimney assesses a chase cover for damage, a technician will first look for rust. This is something that you can look for as well. If you have seen rust stains running down your siding or along the edges of your chase cover, you most likely already have a problem. The cover will need to be replaced! Other signs of a damaged chase cover include: dripping, staining, or leaking inside the home around the chimney system – or even rooms away! Also, rusted parts such as the damper assembly, hinges on your door, and moldy or mildew-like smells from the fireplace.

If you’ve noticed signs of water damage, call a certified chimney sweep at Hudson Chimney to discuss your chase cover today. Do you have a masonry chimney? Ask about our custom chase pans for masonry chimneys. Call 904-282-4159 or use our online contact form!

Chimney Cap Replacement

The chimney cap is a vital part of the chimney system that has multiple jobs. The chimney cap is often overlooked, but when it’s gone it’s missed.

The Chimney Cap Keeps Weather Out

The chimney cap is placed at the flue opening. It prevents water from rain, snow, or hail from entering the flue. When the cap is missing, the water drops right into the flue’s opening and can cause water damage throughout the entire system in just a short time.

The Chimney Cap Keeps Wildlife Out

At various times throughout the year, animals seek shelter in chimney flues because they are warm and dry. These animals can bring debris with them. Even scratching the liner, damaging the masonry, blocking airflow, and can suffocate and die resulting in foul odors. A missing chimney cap can also allow sticks and leaves to fall into the flue during fall weather.

The Chimney Cap Keeps the Fire In

At times an unruly flame can throw sparks up the chimney along with the smoke and vapors naturally produced by the fire. If sparks are allowed to escape the flue opening, a fire can result when leaves and debris on the roof are ignited. Sparks have even been known to ignite dry grasses on the ground around the home.

Diagnosing a Chimney Cap Problem

The chimney cap is one component of the chimney system that can be visually inspected quite easily. Assessing your chimney system monthly, year-round, you will notice quickly if something has changed with your chimney cap. If it is turned, shifted, crooked, or missing it should be replaced as soon as possible. Do you have sudden downdrafts that push smoke into your living space? You should take a look at your chimney cap. The cap and screening is designed in a way to allow vapors to vent properly while preventing down drafts from blowing down your chimney. Downdrafts can decrease efficiency substantially and make it difficult to heat or cool your home and keep a fire going.

The most thorough assessment you can do for your chimney? Having a CSIA inspection! This is when a certified chimney sweep inspects your chimney from top to bottom. When you schedule an inspection your technician will notice right away if there’s a problem with your chimney cap. Not only will he point it out in the report, but will check thoroughly for damage caused by the missing cap.

Give Us A Call

Hudson Chimney not only replaces standard chimney caps, but we also specialize in custom chimney caps for our customers that prefer a personalized color or shape. Our chimney experts use stainless steel or galvanized metal to create caps that are both beautiful and functional. Call a Hudson Chimney expert today and get started with your chimney cap assessment and repair!