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Caps & crowns

Chimney caps and crowns in Pittsburgh

The top of your chimney takes more weather than any other part of your house. A well-fitted cap and a sound crown keep rain, animals and debris out, and stop freeze-thaw damage before it starts.

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Cap, crown, flashing

Three parts people mix up

All three protect the brick below. When any one of them fails, water gets into the masonry, and in a Pittsburgh winter that water freezes, expands and breaks things.

A properly built crown slopes away from the flue and overhangs the brick, so water drips clear of the chimney instead of running down its face. Flashing is covered on our leaks and waterproofing page.

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What each part does

Cap
The metal cover over the flue. Its lid keeps rain and snow out; its mesh keeps out birds, squirrels, raccoons and leaves, and acts as a spark arrestor on wood flues.
Crown
The concrete or mortar slab over the top of the brick, around the flue tile. It keeps water out of the masonry.
Flashing
The metal that seals the joint between the chimney and the roof. A common leak source.
Chimney caps

A cap that fits your chimney

Caps aren't one size fits all. The right one depends on how many flues you have, what's venting through them and how the top of the chimney is built.

Single-flue caps

Fits over one flue tile and fastens to it. The usual choice when each flue sticks up through the crown on its own.

Multi-flue caps

One larger cap that covers the whole top of the chimney, including several flues. It also shelters the crown from direct rain.

Stainless or copper

Stainless steel holds up well and suits most homes. Copper costs more, lasts a long time and weathers to a darker patina. We don't recommend galvanized caps, which rust.

Gas and oil flues need the right cap tooA cap with fine mesh can clog on some appliances and restrict the flue. We match the cap to the appliance that vents through it, and check the mesh every year.
Chimney crowns

Seal it, or rebuild it

Many older chimneys don't have a true crown. They have a thin layer of mortar troweled over the top bricks, sometimes called a mortar wash. It's flat, has no overhang, and cracks quickly as the chimney heats, cools, freezes and thaws.

Hairline cracks in an otherwise sound crown can usually be cleaned and sealed with a flexible crown sealant made for the job. It's a quick repair that can add years to the crown's life.

Crumbling, broken or flat crowns are better rebuilt. We remove the old crown down to solid masonry and form a new one that slopes away from the flue, overhangs the brick with a drip edge, and leaves a small gap around the flue tile so the tile can expand and contract without cracking the crown.

Signs your cap or crown needs work

  • No cap at all, or one that's rusted, loose or bent
  • Leaves, twigs or nesting material in the firebox
  • Scratching or chirping in the chimney
  • Water dripping into the firebox, or a rusty damper
  • Visible cracks or chunks missing from the crown
  • Crumbling brick or white staining near the top of the chimney
What's included

Done properly, up top

  • Measured to your flue. Every flue is measured so the cap sits square and the mesh clears the tile.
  • Fastened to stay. Secured to the flue tile or crown so a windy Pittsburgh winter doesn't take it off the roof.
  • Crown assessed while we're up there. Cracks are photographed and sealed or quoted for rebuild.
  • Flue checked first. If there's a nest or debris inside, we clear it before the cap goes on.
  • Photos of the finished top. So you can see work you'll never see from the ground.
How it works

The visit

  1. Look and measure

    We inspect the top of the chimney and measure each flue, then talk you through what we found.

  2. Written price

    For the cap, sealing or rebuild, with photos. Nothing is installed until you approve it.

  3. Install and photograph

    Cap fastened, crown sealed or rebuilt, and photos texted to you when we're done.

Related services

Keep the whole chimney dry

Leaks & Waterproofing

Flashing, crickets and breathable water repellent for the rest of the chimney.

Animal & Nest Removal

Already have a guest in the flue? We remove it humanely, then cap the chimney.

Masonry & Tuckpointing

Brick below a failed crown often needs repointing too.

Caps and crowns across Greater Pittsburgh

See also: Why every chimney needs a cap

PittsburghMt. LebanonUpper St. ClairBethel ParkPeters TwpFox ChapelSewickleyCranberry TwpWexfordMcCandlessRoss TwpMonroevilleMurrysvilleMoon TwpRobinson
Common questions

Cap and crown questions

Can't tell if you even have a cap? We'll check at your next sweep, or call and ask.

(412) 555-0142
Does my chimney really need a cap?
Almost every chimney benefits from one. Without a cap, rain falls straight down the flue, where it rusts dampers, soaks the smoke chamber and damages tile. An open flue is also an easy home for birds, squirrels and raccoons. A cap is one of the least expensive ways to protect a chimney.
What's the difference between a chimney cap and a crown?
The cap is the metal cover over the flue opening. The crown is the concrete or mortar slab that covers the top of the brickwork around the flue. The cap keeps water and animals out of the flue; the crown keeps water out of the brick. You need both.
How much does a chimney cap or crown repair cost?
It depends on the size and number of flues, the cap material, and whether the crown needs sealing or a full rebuild. We measure, photograph the top of the chimney and give you a written price before anything is installed. Repair estimates are free.
Should I choose stainless steel or copper?
Both last well. Stainless steel is the practical choice for most homes. Copper costs more and is often chosen for looks, especially on older brick homes, as it weathers to a darker patina. We'll show you both and give you a written price for each.
Can a cap cause draft problems?
A cap that's the wrong size, sits too low, or has mesh clogged with creosote or soot can restrict the flue. That's why we measure each flue, match the cap to the appliance, and check the mesh at every sweep.
Is a cracked crown urgent?
It's rarely an emergency, but it's worth fixing before winter. Every crack lets water into the brick below, and freeze-thaw cycles make the crack and the damage bigger each year. Sealing a crown early is far cheaper than rebuilding the top of a chimney later.
Book your visit

Pick a time. We'll handle the rest.

Send the form and we'll text you within one business hour to confirm your service, your price and a 2-hour arrival window.

  • Price in writing first. Nothing starts until you've seen it and said yes.
  • 2-hour arrival window, with an on-the-way text and your technician's name.
  • No mess. Drop cloths, shoe covers and a HEPA vacuum.
  • Photo report texted to you the same day.
  • Licensed & insured. Saturday appointments available.
Prefer to talk? Call or text(412) 555-0142

No obligation. Your details are only used to schedule your visit.

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