Sloped tops
Shaped tops shed water instead of holding it so rust has less chance to start.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Itasca, IL
A chimney sweep in Itasca can replace the metal cover on top of a framed chimney chase before rust and standing water cause leaks into the chase and fireplace. Dial (331) 301-3229 to talk with a local chimney pro about your chase.
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. The top of the chase is sealed with a metal chase cover that has an opening for the flue pipe. Everything inside the chase depends on that cover staying watertight.
Many chase covers installed by builders are made of galvanized steel, and they are often flat. Water pools on a flat galvanized top until rust sets in, and then it leaks. By the time rust streaks show up, water may already be getting into the chase.
Once water gets in, it can travel down the chase and into the fireplace. 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.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chase cover replacement in Itasca, IL can go hand in hand with chimney cap installation and chimney leak repair.
Need chase cover replacement in Itasca? Call (331) 301-3229 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Itasca.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Here is how a sweep usually handles a chase cover replacement.
Look for damage
The chase is inspected from the roof for rust, holes and soft framing. Soft wood under the cover is a sign of a longer leak.
Measure the chase
The outside dimensions of the chase, the flue location and the collar size are measured. Covers are usually custom fabricated to fit.
Remove the old cover
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
Install the new cover
A sloped stainless or copper cover is fitted and fastened through the side skirt. It is fastened through the skirt, not through the top.
Seal the collar
The storm collar is sealed around the flue pipe and the chimney cap is reinstalled or replaced. The sweep makes sure water has nowhere to get in.
What is included
What chase cover replacement covers
Chimney caps
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed to keep out animals and rain.
Stainless covers
Stainless steel covers resist rust far better than galvanized steel and do not leave rust streaks.
Drip edges
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding which protects trim and siding.
Copper chase covers
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion that weathers to a natural color.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Itasca, IL
A failed chase cover can lead to damage inside the chase, from the framing to the fireplace. 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.
Calling (331) 301-3229 from Itasca with details about stains or leaks helps the sweep plan the visit. Bigger framing repairs may involve a carpenter, while the cover and cap are handled by the sweep. The new cover should go on a sound chase.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
Around Itasca, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. From Itasca out to neighboring towns like Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Addison and Roselle, 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 Itasca, IL or nearby towns like Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Addison and Roselle, call (331) 301-3229 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Itasca
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, so flues collect creosote fast and liners and crowns see a lot of heat and cold. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Itasca chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Itasca and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chase Cover Replacement FAQ
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. Its job is to keep water out of the framing, insulation and fireplace. The chimney cap is a separate part that sits on the flue above it.
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
A rusting cover tends to keep rusting around any patch. A new stainless or copper cover with a slope usually solves the problem for good. Ask the sweep to check the framing under the cover too.
Why is there water in my prefab fireplace?
When a chase top leaks, the water usually ends up in the fireplace below. That can rust the firebox, damage refractory panels and soak the area around the fireplace. Replacing the cover and storm collar usually stops it.
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
A well made stainless or copper cover often outlasts the galvanized original by many years. Shape matters as much as material, since a sloped top sheds water. A yearly look at the chase top is a good habit.
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 tops that hold water rust faster. The rust then runs down the siding as brown streaks.
More questions? Call (331) 301-3229
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to an Itasca chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call now for Itasca chase cover replacement and help in the towns around it.
(331) 301-3229
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