Chimney Chase Covers
If you have a prefab/factory-built chimney and fireplace, you likely have a chimney chase cover to cover it. Chase cover are critical components that channel water away from the chase and keep moisture from rain and snow out of your chimney system.
Chase covers also protect the interior of the chimney from outside debris and even small animals that might be looking for a place to live.
Fire N’ Stone of Tilton, NH, provides service for chimney chase covers throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. We offer chase cover inspection, repair and new chase cover installation.
Chimney Chase Covers Don’t Last Forever
It’s not unusual for metal chase covers to begin rusting in as little as seven years. If the rust eats through, even the smallest opening can allow water to run into the interior chimney areas.
When this happens, rust may begin to develop on the chimney pipe and fireplace damper. Depending on how much water is getting in, it can damage the firebox, rot adjacent home materials such as beams, sheetrock and flooring, and deteriorate the chase’s siding.
A large amount of the chimney structural damage we see at our customers’ homes is related to water from rain or snow getting into places where it shouldn’t be.
Spotting Chase Cover Damage
Because rust is a common problem for chase covers, it’s something you should be aware of. Watch for reddish-brown stains on the sides of the chase, which tell you that rust likely has formed on areas within the chase cover that you can’t see and is starting to run down when it rains.
In addition to rust, chase covers also can be damaged by lightning strikes, severe hail storms and other weather events.
Beyond visible rusting, signs of damage to your chase cover or other parts of your chimney that block incoming water can include:
- Water in the firebox
- Unpleasant musty odors coming from the fireplace
- Mold growth in the attic
- Damp patches on walls and the ceiling near the fireplace/chimney
Chimney Chase Cover Inspection & Repair
The best way to stay on top of issues with your chimney chase cover is to have Fire N’ Stone’s licensed technicians perform a thorough annual chimney inspection.
We’ll assess the condition of your chase cover along with other important components and the chimney structure itself. You’ll save money on expensive chimney repair work by fixing problems before they become serious.
Minor chase cover damage sometimes can be repaired. If the damage is moderate to severe, we can properly install a new, high-quality top.
If a rusted or leaky chase cover has led to damage in other areas of your chimney system, we can make those repairs as well.
Schedule an Inspection
Chimney maintenance starts with annual chimney inspections. Call today at (603) 293-4040 to learn more about how we approach chimney chase cover damage or to schedule an inspection.
We’re a family-owned/family-operated business serving New Hampshire’s Lakes Region including Alton NH, Wolfeboro NH, Gilford NH, Laconia NH, and other local cities and towns. We perform all repair and installation work ourselves – nothing is ever subcontracted.