Cross break designs
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off and keep the cover drier.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Edgewater, NJ
A rusted or leaking chase cover in Edgewater can be replaced with a custom stainless steel or copper cover sized to the chase and shaped to shed water off the edges. Dial (551) 378-0034 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 chase cover, sometimes called a chase top or chase pan, is the metal sheet that caps the top of that enclosure. Its job is to keep water out of the framing and away from the fireplace below.
The cover that comes with most homes is a thin galvanized pan, frequently with no slope at all. Water pools on a flat galvanized top until rust sets in, and then it leaks. Rust running down the chase is usually the first clue.
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.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, an Edgewater chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in Edgewater, NJ right now? Call (551) 378-0034 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Replacing a chase cover is mostly about getting the fit right.
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.
Measure the chase
The chase top is measured, along with the flue opening and its position. Most replacement covers are made to order.
Pull the cap
The cap comes off first, then the old cover is unscrewed and lifted away. Any damage underneath can then be seen.
Install the new cover
A sloped stainless or copper cover is fitted and fastened through the side skirt. It is fastened through the skirt, not through the top.
Finish the top
The storm collar is sealed around the flue pipe and the chimney cap is reinstalled or replaced. The finished top is checked for gaps.
What is included
Chase cover options
Storm collars
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed to keep out animals and rain.
Copper tops
Copper is a long lasting option that pairs well with copper flashing.
Stainless steel chase covers
Stainless steel is the most common replacement material without needing paint.
Drip edges
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding and reduce staining.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Edgewater, NJ
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. The framed chase also needs proper flashing where it meets the roof.
Calling (551) 378-0034 from Edgewater 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. Fixing the cover without fixing rot underneath only delays the problem.
Local help
Chase Cover Replacement Near Me
Around Edgewater, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. In Edgewater and places nearby like Cliffside Park, Fairview, Fort Lee and Palisades Park, 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 Edgewater? Call (551) 378-0034 for an Edgewater 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: 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 Edgewater, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
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 Edgewater
Chimney sweeps in Edgewater know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chase Cover Replacement questions
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
A rusting cover tends to keep rusting around any patch. Replacing it with a sloped stainless or copper cover is the more lasting fix. Ask the sweep to check the framing under the cover too.
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. It can lead to rust, damaged panels and stains around the fireplace. Replacing the cover and storm collar usually stops it.
Why are there rust streaks on my chimney siding?
Builder grade chase tops are often galvanized steel, and they rust after years of weather. Flat covers make it worse, since standing water sits on the metal. Those streaks are a sign the cover needs replacing.
What is a chase cover?
The chase cover is the metal sheet that seals the top of a chimney chase, with an opening for the flue pipe. It keeps rain and snow out of the chase, which protects the framing and the fireplace below. The cap and cover work together to keep water out.
How long does a stainless steel chase cover last?
Quality covers in stainless or copper hold up for a long time. Shape matters as much as material, since a sloped top sheds water. Inspections every year catch problems early.
More questions? Call (551) 378-0034
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, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
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 servicesNeed chase cover replacement in Edgewater, NJ?
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(551) 378-0034
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