Cross break designs
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off which is the main fix for flat pans.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Sykesville, MD
The chase cover on a Sykesville 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. Call (443) 899-3088 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. The chase cover, sometimes called a chase top or chase pan, is the metal sheet that caps the top of that enclosure. It is what keeps rain and snow out of the chase.
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. Rust stains on the siding are often the first visible sign of a failing cover.
A leaking chase cover lets water soak the framing, insulation and fireplace below. Over time it leads to rot in the framing, rust on the fireplace and mold in damp areas. 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.
Dealing with this in Sykesville, MD right now? Call (443) 899-3088 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Replacing a chase cover is mostly about getting the fit right.
Look for damage
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 chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. Most replacement covers are made to order.
Take off the old top
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. Any damage underneath can then be seen.
Set the 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
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
Chase cover options
Stainless covers
Stainless steel is the most common replacement material without needing paint.
Drip edges
A hemmed drip edge on the skirt kicks water away from the siding and reduce staining.
Copper tops
Copper covers last a long time and develop a patina over time for homes where looks matter.
Storm collars
The collar around the flue pipe is sealed, and the cap is replaced if it is worn to keep out animals and rain.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Sykesville, MD
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. The framed chase also needs proper flashing where it meets the roof.
If you are in Sykesville, tell the sweep about any water stains, soft siding or rust inside the fireplace when you call (443) 899-3088. Some chase repairs need carpentry, so ask how that work is handled. The new cover should go on a sound chase.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
In Sykesville, many newer homes have prefab fireplaces with chimney chases and builder grade chase tops. From Sykesville out to neighboring towns like Eldersburg, Randallstown, Mount Airy and Ellicott City, sweeps regularly find rusted chase tops on homes that are only a decade or two old, so replacing an old cover before it fails saves a lot of repair work.
For chase cover replacement in Sykesville, MD or nearby towns like Eldersburg, Randallstown, Mount Airy and Ellicott City, call (443) 899-3088 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
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. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Sykesville, MD schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Sykesville
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Sykesville and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chase Cover Replacement questions
How long does a stainless steel chase cover last?
A stainless steel or copper chase cover can last for decades. Good design keeps water off the cover and the siding. Inspections every year catch problems early.
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. It keeps rain and snow out of the chase, which protects the framing and the fireplace below. A cap sits on top of the flue pipe that comes through the cover.
Why is there water in my prefab fireplace?
When a chase top leaks, the water usually ends up in the fireplace below. Over time, it can rust the metal firebox and flue and damage panels. A new cover and collar are often the fix.
Why are there rust streaks on my chimney siding?
Many original chase covers are made of galvanized steel, which rusts once its protective coating wears away. Flat tops that hold water rust faster. Those streaks are a sign the cover needs replacing.
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
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. Any rot underneath should be repaired at the same time.
More questions? Call (443) 899-3088
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Fitting a metal cap over the top of the flue sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
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 Sykesville chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call (443) 899-3088 for a local chimney sweep in Sykesville and nearby towns.
(443) 899-3088
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