Drip edges
A hemmed drip edge on the skirt kicks water away from the siding which protects trim and siding.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Burtonsville, MD
The chase cover on a Burtonsville 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. Dial (240) 358-7617 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 chase cover, sometimes called a chase top or chase pan, is the metal sheet that caps the top of that enclosure. 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. Flat covers hold standing water, and galvanized steel rusts once the coating wears, which leaves brown streaks down the siding and eventually holes in the pan. Rust stains on the siding are often the first visible sign of a failing cover.
Water that gets past the cover can do real damage inside the chase. Rotted framing, wet insulation, rusted firebox parts and water stains inside the house are all common results. Catching a bad cover early keeps the repair simple.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Burtonsville chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Need chase cover replacement in Burtonsville? Call (240) 358-7617 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Burtonsville.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a chase cover replacement
A chase cover has to be sized to the chase and the flue, so measuring comes first.
Inspect the chase
The condition of the cover, collar and chase top is checked. 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.
Take off the old top
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. This is the best time to look for rot.
Install the new cover
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. It is fastened through the skirt, not through the top.
Seal the collar
A sealed storm collar and cap close up the opening at the flue. The finished top is checked for gaps.
What is included
What chase cover replacement covers
Copper tops
Copper covers last a long time and develop a patina over time that pairs well with copper flashing.
Storm collars
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed for a complete watertight top.
Sloped tops
A sloped or cross broken top keeps water from pooling which is the main fix for flat pans.
Stainless steel chase covers
A stainless cover holds up to weather for many years and do not leave rust streaks.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Burtonsville, MD
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. Flashing where the chase meets the roof is checked too.
If you are in Burtonsville, tell the sweep about any water stains, soft siding or rust inside the fireplace when you call (240) 358-7617. 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
Around Burtonsville, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. Homes in Burtonsville and nearby towns such as West Laurel, Fulton, Fairland and Scaggsville often have chase covers that were installed when the house was built and never replaced, so replacing an old cover before it fails saves a lot of repair work.
For chase cover replacement in Burtonsville, MD or nearby towns like West Laurel, Fulton, Fairland and Scaggsville, call (240) 358-7617 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Burtonsville is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Burtonsville
Chimney sweeps in Burtonsville know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chase cover replacement
Why is my chase cover rusting?
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. Those streaks are a sign the cover needs replacing.
Can a leaking chase cover be repaired?
Small holes can sometimes be patched, but patches on a rusting galvanized cover rarely last. Replacing it with a sloped stainless or copper cover is the more lasting fix. Ask the sweep to check the framing under the cover too.
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. 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.
How long does a stainless steel chase cover last?
Quality covers in stainless or copper hold up for a long time. Shape matters as much as material, since a sloped top sheds water. Have it checked during chimney sweeping.
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.
More questions? Call (240) 358-7617
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides so water, birds and debris stay out of the flue.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
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
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
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(240) 358-7617
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