Storm collars
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed to keep out animals and rain.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Sewickley, PA
A rusted or leaking chase cover in Sewickley can be replaced with a custom stainless steel or copper cover with a sloped top, drip edge and sealed collar around the flue. One call to (412) 663-3115 reaches a nearby sweep who handles chase covers.
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. 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. 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 running down the chase is usually the first clue.
A leaking chase cover lets water soak the framing, insulation and fireplace below. 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. Catching a bad cover early keeps the repair simple.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chase cover replacement in Sewickley, PA can go hand in hand with chimney cap installation and chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Sewickley, PA right now? Call (412) 663-3115 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chase cover replacement process
Here is how a sweep usually handles a chase cover replacement.
Inspect the chase
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.
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 comes off first, then the old cover is unscrewed and lifted away. Any damage underneath can then be seen.
Set the cover
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.
Reinstall the cap
The storm collar is sealed around the flue pipe and the chimney cap is reinstalled or replaced. A final look confirms the cover is secure.
What is included
Chase cover options
Cross break designs
Shaped tops shed water instead of holding it which is the main fix for flat pans.
Stainless steel chase covers
Stainless steel is the most common replacement material without needing paint.
Copper tops
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion that weathers to a natural color.
Skirt hems
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding which protects trim and siding.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Sewickley, PA
When a chase cover has leaked for a while, the chase itself often needs repair too. The work may include new framing, new sheathing, siding repairs and drying or replacing insulation. Flashing where the chase meets the roof is checked too.
Calling (412) 663-3115 from Sewickley 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 Sewickley, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. Homes in Sewickley and nearby towns such as Coraopolis, Ambridge, Franklin Park and Avalon 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 Sewickley? Call (412) 663-3115 for a Sewickley chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
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: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in Sewickley is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Sewickley know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chase cover replacement
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
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.
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. Without it, water would run straight into the chase. 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. Most sweeps recommend replacement once rust has set in. The framing beneath should be checked while the cover is off.
Why is my chase cover rusting?
Builder grade chase tops are often galvanized steel, and they rust after years of weather. Water pooling on a flat cover speeds up corrosion. The rust then runs down the siding as brown streaks.
Why is there water in my prefab 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. The sweep will check the cover, collar and cap to find the source.
More questions? Call (412) 663-3115
Other services that may help
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, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Protecting chimney masonry from rain with a penetrating repellent, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesGet chase cover replacement help in Sewickley
Call (412) 663-3115 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Sewickley, PA.
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