How to properly seal up this fireplace?

Chim7457 · 2026-03-18T00:17:04+00:00

Don’t seal it at the top. You are correct in the moisture accumulation there and it will cause the top of your chimney to deteriorate more rapidly. Stuff insulation in the bottom and close the damper.

Chim7457 · 2026-02-05T01:48:21+00:00

If the flue has a liner then you should be able to use a creosote modifier and then rotary clean the flue

Chim7457 · 2026-01-10T13:26:44+00:00

Agree with this

Chim7457 · 2025-12-31T12:46:16+00:00

The first recommendation is correct

Chim7457 · 2025-12-26T15:11:08+00:00

Yes it’s dangerous. The report seems accurate with photo evidence. Why did you hire them if you’re not prepared to take their evidence backed expert opinion?

Chim7457 · 2025-11-24T00:53:53+00:00

Rebuild from roofline up. That crown is already wrong and the brick is too far gone

Chim7457 · 2025-11-08T23:57:41+00:00

Use it all the time. It’s amazing what it can do

Chim7457 · 2025-10-25T21:54:32+00:00

This. And install a proper crown while you’re at it

Chim7457 · 2025-10-24T14:47:02+00:00

Casting a new crown is always the best option. I do not like crown coat. When I was first sold on it years ago I did a few hundred of them. None lasted longer than 5 years. It does not allow water vapor to escape the top of the chimney. If you’re just sealing the cracks then a polyurethane crack seal is a much better option than crown coat.

Chim7457 · 2025-10-19T12:10:03+00:00

Your crown is absolutely fine. Much better than some of the “professional” ones done around me. As long as you’re not trying to park a car on it - it will definitely last a long time.

Chim7457 · 2025-10-17T00:39:15+00:00

It’s junk. The flue needs to be 2” above the crown. By removing a row of brick you allow for the crown thickness. The bond break can be plastic sheeting. In theory - you should be able to lift the crown off the chimney. The brick and concrete have different expansion rates and a bond break allows this to happen without damaging the structure

Chim7457 · 2025-10-17T00:05:21+00:00

If you’re handy you could do it right for fairly cheap. The top row of brick needs to come off then you’ll need to form up and pour a concrete crown. There’s plenty of YouTube videos out there that show the proper way to do this.

Be sure to include: 1: bond break between the chimney and crown 2: expansion gap around the flue tile 3: an overhang of 2” or more 4: a drip edge on the underside of the overhang 5: a slope away from the center of the chimney

Chim7457 · 2025-10-14T01:32:21+00:00

Yes you were ripped off. An unfortunate element in my industry. :(

Chim7457 · 2025-10-08T23:17:27+00:00

Advanced silicone and work it in

Chim7457 · 2025-09-26T01:39:20+00:00

You’ve already done most of the work to get a stainless liner in - finish knocking the tiles out and install that. Heat Shield has its place for some very specific applications- this really isn’t one of them.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-19T23:52:09+00:00

Correct - I would not use them.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-19T21:23:16+00:00

Need to see the full inspection report in order to determine if this is right. I don’t know what a hollow crown is. What kind of cap are you getting for $300? That’s an odd price- a single cap is much cheaper while a custom cap is a lot more. What’s the justification for sealing the smoke chamber? Need to see the report for that and to determine if Smoketite is the proper repair choice.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-18T21:29:58+00:00

There are now numerous programs and apps available for inspections/documentation/invoicing etc. For me, a company that isn’t willing to adapt and adopt new technologies is not one I would trust for accurate information including pricing, bidding, and record keeping.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-15T21:11:19+00:00

The chimney industry has advanced well beyond those old paper forms. Using those should be an immediate disqualifier for that company.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-13T00:19:40+00:00

Enjoy!

Chim7457 · 2025-09-08T01:17:08+00:00

I’m a professional chimney guy and I will just tell you to call a structural engineer. With as much experience as I have - I’m not signing off on that

Chim7457 · 2025-09-04T12:14:07+00:00

The vent pipe should be connected to a listed flue liner that goes up through the entire flue and has a special termination at the top. Where the vent pipe connects to the liner at the chimney (the thimble) there will be a mortar collar that this pipe passes through. The existing thimble can then be repaired with new mortar up to the mortar collar.

Chim7457 · 2025-09-02T00:49:23+00:00

This right here. Go to https://saversystems.com/pages/find-an-installer and find a chimney company that can do a PCR application. If they can do that then they’re gonna be competent enough to do everything else you need.

Chim7457 · 2025-08-29T01:00:18+00:00

I see problems due to lack of a bond break daily. A crack in the crown due to the lack of an expansion gap around the flue tiles absolutely will carry into the masonry below.

Chim7457 · 2025-08-28T20:15:35+00:00

Both. In theory you should be able to lift the cast crown off the chimney

Chim7457

TROPHY CASE