Sloped tops
Shaped tops shed water instead of holding it and keep the cover drier.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Bryn Mawr, PA
The chase cover on a Bryn Mawr 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. Dial (484) 380-7228 to talk with a local chimney pro about your chase.
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. Everything inside the chase depends on that cover staying watertight.
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.
Once water gets in, it can travel down the chase and into the fireplace. Over time it leads to rot in the framing, rust on the fireplace and mold in damp areas. Catching a bad cover early keeps the repair simple.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chase cover replacement in Bryn Mawr, PA can go hand in hand with chimney cap installation and chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Bryn Mawr, PA right now? Call (484) 380-7228 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Here is how a sweep usually handles a chase cover replacement.
Check the top
The chase is inspected from the roof for rust, holes and soft framing. Soft wood under the cover is a sign of a longer leak.
Take measurements
The chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. Covers are usually custom fabricated to fit.
Remove the old cover
The cap comes off first, then the old cover is unscrewed and lifted away. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
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 cap is reinstalled and the collar sealed with high temperature sealant. A final look confirms the cover is secure.
What is included
What chase cover replacement covers
Drip edges
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding which protects trim and siding.
Storm collars
The collar around the flue pipe is sealed, and the cap is replaced if it is worn for a complete watertight top.
Stainless covers
A stainless cover holds up to weather for many years and do not leave rust streaks.
Copper chase covers
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion for homes where looks matter.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Bryn Mawr, PA
Chase repair goes hand in hand with replacing a cover that has been leaking. Rotted studs, soft plywood, damaged siding and soaked insulation are the usual problems. The framed chase also needs proper flashing where it meets the roof.
Calling (484) 380-7228 from Bryn Mawr with details about stains or leaks helps the sweep plan the visit. 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
Chase covers in Bryn Mawr face every kind of weather the year brings, from summer storms to winter snow. In Bryn Mawr and places nearby like Rosemont, Ardmore, Villanova and Narberth, snow and rain sitting on flat chase tops speed up rust, so replacing an old cover before it fails saves a lot of repair work.
Need chase cover replacement around Bryn Mawr? Call (484) 380-7228 for a Bryn Mawr chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Bryn Mawr
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. 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. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Bryn Mawr is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Bryn Mawr
Chimney sweeps in Bryn Mawr know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chase Cover Replacement questions
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
Patching a rusted chase cover is usually a short term fix. Most sweeps recommend replacement once rust has set in. Any rot underneath should be repaired at the same time.
Can water from a chase cover damage my fireplace?
Water from a leaking chase cover often runs down the flue pipe or framing and into the fireplace. That can rust the firebox, damage refractory panels and soak the area around the fireplace. A new cover and collar are often the fix.
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.
Why are there rust streaks on my chimney siding?
Rust usually comes from a galvanized cover that has started to break down. Flat tops that hold water rust faster. Those streaks are a sign the cover needs replacing.
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. Have it checked during chimney sweeping.
More questions? Call (484) 380-7228
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Bryn Mawr chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call (484) 380-7228 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Bryn Mawr, PA.
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