Stainless steel chase covers
Stainless steel is the most common replacement material and do not leave rust streaks.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Park Forest, IL
A chimney sweep in Park Forest can replace the metal cover on top of a framed chimney chase sized to the chase and shaped to shed water off the edges. Call (708) 708-7348 to reach a local chimney sweep.
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. It is what keeps rain and snow out of the chase.
Builder grade chase covers are usually galvanized steel cut flat across the top. A flat galvanized pan collects water, rusts through and stains the siding below. Rust running down the chase is usually the first clue.
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.
Chase Cover Replacement is often paired with chimney cap installation and chimney leak repair, depending on the cause.
Looking for Park Forest chase cover replacement? Call (708) 708-7348 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chase cover replacement process
A chase cover has to be sized to the chase and the flue, so measuring comes first.
Look for damage
The sweep checks the old cover, the storm collar, the cap and the siding near the top. Soft wood under the cover is a sign of a longer leak.
Size the cover
The chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. Most replacement covers are made to order.
Pull the cap
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
Fit the new top
The new cover is set in place with its skirt over the siding and a hem that kicks water off the edge. Fasteners are placed so they do not create new leaks.
Reinstall the cap
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
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion that pairs well with copper flashing.
Sloped tops
Shaped tops shed water instead of holding it which is the main fix for flat pans.
Skirt hems
The edge of the cover is bent so water drips clear of the chase instead of soaking into it.
Storm collars
A new storm collar and cap finish the top so water cannot run down the flue pipe.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Park Forest, IL
Chase repair goes hand in hand with replacing a cover that has been leaking. Common repairs include replacing rotted framing and sheathing, fixing or replacing siding, resealing trim and replacing wet insulation. Flashing where the chase meets the roof is checked too.
If you are in Park Forest, tell the sweep about any water stains, soft siding or rust inside the fireplace when you call (708) 708-7348. Chase repairs may involve a carpenter or siding contractor for larger framing work. Fixing the cover without fixing rot underneath only delays the problem.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
Around Park Forest, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. Homes in Park Forest and nearby towns such as South Chicago Heights, University Park, Olympia Fields and Richton Park 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.
Need chase cover replacement around Park Forest? Call (708) 708-7348 for a Park Forest chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are cold and long, with lake effect snow in many towns and deep cold snaps that can last for days. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, 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. Most chimney cleaning in Park Forest, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
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 Park Forest and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chase Cover Replacement questions
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. Without it, water would run straight into the chase. A cap sits on top of the flue pipe that comes through the cover.
Can water from a chase cover damage my fireplace?
When a chase top leaks, the water usually ends up in the fireplace below. It can lead to rust, damaged panels and stains around the fireplace. A new cover and collar are often the fix.
Why is my chase cover rusting?
Builder grade chase tops are often galvanized steel, and they rust after years of weather. Flat tops that hold water rust faster. That rust washes down and stains the siding below.
How long does a stainless steel chase cover last?
A stainless steel or copper chase cover can last for decades. Shape matters as much as material, since a sloped top sheds water. A yearly look at the chase top is a good habit.
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
Small holes can sometimes be patched, but patches on a rusting galvanized cover rarely last. Most sweeps recommend replacement once rust has set in. Ask the sweep to check the framing under the cover too.
More questions? Call (708) 708-7348
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, 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
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, matched to what an inspection actually finds.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Park Forest chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call (708) 708-7348 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Park Forest, IL.
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