Drip edges
The edge of the cover is bent so water drips clear of the chase which protects trim and siding.
Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement Abington, PA
The chase cover on an Abington 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 (267) 715-3132 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Homes with prefab fireplaces often have a chimney chase, which is a framed box around the metal flue pipe. The top of the chase is sealed with a metal chase cover that has an opening for the flue pipe. 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.
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. Replacing the cover early is far easier than repairing a rotted chase.
Many chase cover replacement calls in Abington also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Looking for Abington chase cover replacement? Call (267) 715-3132 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Here is how a sweep usually handles a chase cover replacement.
Look for damage
The condition of the cover, collar and chase top is checked. Any rot in the framing is noted.
Measure the chase
Exact measurements are taken so the new cover fits snugly. Covers are usually custom fabricated to fit.
Take off the old top
The cap and old cover are removed carefully so the flue pipe is not disturbed. The framing below is checked once it is exposed.
Set the cover
A sloped stainless or copper cover is fitted and fastened through the side skirt. 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
Sloped tops
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off and keep the cover drier.
Stainless covers
Stainless steel covers resist rust far better than galvanized steel without needing paint.
Chimney caps
The collar around the flue pipe is sealed, and the cap is replaced if it is worn for a complete watertight top.
Copper tops
A copper chase top adds a finished look and resists corrosion that pairs well with copper flashing.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair Abington, PA
A failed chase cover can lead to damage inside the chase, from the framing to the fireplace. Rotted studs, soft plywood, damaged siding and soaked insulation are the usual problems. Flashing where the chase meets the roof is checked too.
Calling (267) 715-3132 from Abington 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 Abington, flat galvanized chase covers are a common source of leaks and rust stains. In Abington and places nearby like Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside, snow and rain sitting on flat chase tops speed up rust, which is why a chase cover is worth checking when the chimney is swept.
Searching for chase cover replacement near me from Abington or Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside? Call (267) 715-3132 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a chimney
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, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in Abington 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.
Local knowledge
Chimney sweeps in Abington know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chase Cover Replacement FAQ
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
A well made stainless or copper cover often outlasts the galvanized original by many years. A sloped design and drip edge help it last by keeping water moving. A yearly look at the chase top is a good habit.
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. 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.
Why is there water in my prefab fireplace?
Water from a leaking chase cover often runs down the flue pipe or framing and into the 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?
Many original chase covers are made of galvanized steel, which rusts once its protective coating wears away. Water pooling on a flat cover speeds up corrosion. That rust washes down and stains the siding below.
Should I patch or replace my chase cover?
Small holes can sometimes be patched, but patches on a rusting galvanized cover rarely last. A new stainless or copper cover with a slope usually solves the problem for good. The framing beneath should be checked while the cover is off.
More questions? Call (267) 715-3132
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
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
Protecting chimney masonry from rain with a penetrating repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to an Abington chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call (267) 715-3132 for a local chimney sweep in Abington and nearby towns.
(267) 715-3132
Free to call. No forms to fill out.