Copper chase covers
Copper covers last a long time and develop a patina over time that pairs well with copper flashing.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Palos Heights, IL
The chase cover on a Palos Heights home with a factory-built fireplace can be swapped for one that sheds water with a sloped top, drip edge and sealed collar around the flue. Call (708) 708-7262 to reach a local chimney sweep.
If your chimney is covered in siding instead of brick, it is probably a chase built around a metal flue. 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.
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. 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.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Palos Heights chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Palos Heights, IL right now? Call (708) 708-7262 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
A chase cover has to be sized to the chase and the flue, so measuring comes first.
Look for damage
The chase is inspected from the roof for rust, holes and soft framing. Damage below the cover may need repair before the new cover goes on.
Size the cover
The outside dimensions of the chase, the flue location and the collar size are measured. Covers are usually custom fabricated to fit.
Pull the cap
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. Any damage underneath can then be seen.
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. Screws go through the sides so the top stays watertight.
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
Chase cover work
Cross break designs
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off and keep the cover drier.
Chimney caps
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed for a complete watertight top.
Skirt hems
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding and reduce staining.
Stainless steel chase covers
Stainless steel covers resist rust far better than galvanized steel without needing paint.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Palos Heights, IL
When a chase cover has leaked for a while, the chase itself often needs repair too. Rotted studs, soft plywood, damaged siding and soaked insulation are the usual problems. Leaks can come from the roof line as well, so the flashing gets a look.
Calling (708) 708-7262 from Palos Heights with details about stains or leaks helps the sweep plan the visit. 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 Palos Heights, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. In Palos Heights and places nearby like Worth, Palos Park, Chicago Ridge and Palos Hills, snow and rain sitting on flat chase tops speed up rust, and a sloped stainless or copper cover usually ends the problem.
Need chase cover replacement around Palos Heights? Call (708) 708-7262 for a Palos Heights chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
What the local climate does to a chimney
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, 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. Most chimney cleaning in Palos Heights, 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.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Palos Heights and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chase Cover Replacement FAQ
Why is there water in my prefab 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. The sweep will check the cover, collar and cap to find the source.
What is a chase cover?
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. The chimney cap is a separate part that sits on the flue above it.
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
Quality covers in stainless or copper hold up for a long time. A sloped design and drip edge help it last by keeping water moving. 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.
Why is my chase cover rusting?
Rust usually comes from a galvanized cover that has started to break down. Flat tops that hold water rust faster. That rust washes down and stains the siding below.
More questions? Call (708) 708-7262
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides 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, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, 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, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesNeed chase cover replacement in Palos Heights, IL?
Call (708) 708-7262 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Palos Heights, IL.
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