Copper tops
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion for homes where looks matter.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Clarendon Hills, IL
The chase cover on a Clarendon Hills home with a factory-built fireplace can be swapped for one that sheds water sized to the chase and shaped to shed water off the edges. One call to (331) 301-3221 reaches a nearby sweep who handles chase covers.
A chase is the boxed enclosure on the outside of a house that hides a factory-built chimney pipe, usually framed in wood and finished with siding or stone veneer. 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.
Many chase covers installed by builders are made of galvanized steel, and they are often flat. 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.
A leaking chase cover lets water soak the framing, insulation and fireplace below. Rotted framing, wet insulation, rusted firebox parts and water stains inside the house are all common results. The sooner the cover is replaced, the less damage there is to fix.
Many chase cover replacement calls in Clarendon Hills also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Need chase cover replacement in Clarendon Hills? Call (331) 301-3221 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a chase cover replacement
Replacing a chase cover is mostly about getting the fit right.
Check the top
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 chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. A good fit matters more than anything else.
Take off the old top
The cap comes off first, then the old cover is unscrewed and lifted away. Any damage underneath can then be seen.
Fit the new top
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. Screws go through the sides so the top stays watertight.
Seal the collar
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 options
Skirt hems
A hemmed drip edge on the skirt kicks water away from the siding which protects trim and siding.
Stainless covers
A stainless cover holds up to weather for many years and do not leave rust streaks.
Storm collars
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed so water cannot run down the flue pipe.
Cross break designs
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off and keep the cover drier.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Clarendon Hills, IL
Chase repair goes hand in hand with replacing a cover that has been leaking. Rotted studs, soft plywood, damaged siding and soaked insulation are the usual problems. Leaks can come from the roof line as well, so the flashing gets a look.
When you call (331) 301-3221 from Clarendon Hills, 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. The new cover should go on a sound chase.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
In Clarendon Hills, many newer homes have prefab fireplaces with chimney chases and builder grade chase tops. From Clarendon Hills out to neighboring towns like Westmont, Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Oak Brook, sweeps regularly find rusted chase tops on homes that are only a decade or two old, which is why a chase cover is worth checking when the chimney is swept.
For chase cover replacement in Clarendon Hills, IL or nearby towns like Westmont, Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Oak Brook, call (331) 301-3221 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Furnaces, wood stoves and fireplaces run hard from fall to spring, which means fast creosote buildup and a lot of stress on liners, crowns and flashing. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Clarendon Hills chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Clarendon Hills and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chase Cover Replacement FAQ
Why are there rust streaks on my chimney siding?
Builder grade chase tops are often galvanized steel, and they rust after years of weather. Flat covers make it worse, since standing water sits on the metal. That rust washes down and stains the siding below.
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. Replacing the cover and storm collar usually stops it.
Can a leaking chase cover be repaired?
Patching a rusted chase cover is usually a short term fix. Replacing it with a sloped stainless or copper cover is the more lasting fix. The framing beneath should be checked while the cover is off.
What does a chase cover do?
The chase cover is the metal sheet that seals the top of a chimney chase, with an opening for the flue pipe. Without it, water would run straight into the chase. A cap sits on top of the flue pipe that comes through the cover.
How long does a stainless steel chase cover last?
A well made stainless or copper cover often outlasts the galvanized original by many years. A sloped design and drip edge help it last by keeping water moving. A yearly look at the chase top is a good habit.
More questions? Call (331) 301-3221
Often needed together
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
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 moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
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(331) 301-3221
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