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Chimney Parts
Chase Cover Replacement La Plata, MD
A chimney sweep in La Plata can replace the metal cover on top of a framed chimney chase sized to the chase and shaped to shed water off the edges. Dial (240) 622-3033 to talk with a local chimney pro about your chase.
If your chimney is covered in siding instead of brick, it is probably a chase built around a metal flue. The chase cover, sometimes called a chase top or chase pan, is the metal sheet that caps the top of that enclosure. It is what keeps rain and snow out of the chase.
The cover that comes with most homes is a thin galvanized pan, frequently with no slope at all. A flat galvanized pan collects water, rusts through and stains the siding below. Rust running down the chase is usually the first clue.
Water that gets past the cover can do real damage inside the chase. 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.
Many chase cover replacement calls in La Plata also turn up a need for chimney cap installation or chimney leak repair.
Dealing with this in La Plata, MD right now? Call (240) 622-3033 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in La Plata.
Call nowThe process
How chase cover replacement works
Here is how a sweep usually handles a chase cover replacement.
Inspect the chase
The chase is inspected from the roof for rust, holes and soft framing. Any rot in the framing is noted.
Size the cover
The outside dimensions of the chase, the flue location and the collar size are measured. Covers are usually custom fabricated to fit.
Pull the cap
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
A sloped stainless or copper cover is fitted and fastened through the side skirt. Fasteners are placed so they do not create new leaks.
Reinstall the cap
The cap is reinstalled and the collar sealed with high temperature sealant. The finished top is checked for gaps.
What is included
Chase cover options
Stainless covers
A stainless cover holds up to weather for many years and do not leave rust streaks.
Sloped tops
Covers are made with a slope, cross break or raised center so water runs off so rust has less chance to start.
Chimney caps
Collars and caps are checked and replaced as needed for a complete watertight top.
Drip edges
Drip edges stop water from running down the siding and reduce staining.
Related service
Chimney Chase Repair La Plata, MD
When a chase cover has leaked for a while, the chase itself often needs repair too. Common repairs include replacing rotted framing and sheathing, fixing or replacing siding, resealing trim and replacing wet insulation. Leaks can come from the roof line as well, so the flashing gets a look.
If you are in La Plata, tell the sweep about any water stains, soft siding or rust inside the fireplace when you call (240) 622-3033. 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 La Plata face every kind of weather the year brings, from summer storms to winter snow. Homes in La Plata and nearby towns such as Bensville, Waldorf, Bryans Road and Accokeek often have chase covers that were installed when the house was built and never replaced, which is why a chase cover is worth checking when the chimney is swept.
Searching for chase cover replacement near me from La Plata or Bensville, Waldorf, Bryans Road and Accokeek? Call (240) 622-3033 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around La Plata
Winters here are moderate, but cold nights still come regularly and fireplaces see real use from late fall into early spring. The ground and the masonry freeze and thaw many times each winter instead of staying frozen, and soaking rains in spring and fall test every crown and flashing joint. In summer, humidity and nesting animals become the bigger issue. Most chimney cleaning in La Plata is booked in the fall, before the first cold snap.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across La Plata and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chase Cover Replacement questions
What is a chase cover?
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.
How long will a new chase cover hold up?
A well made stainless or copper cover often outlasts the galvanized original by many years. Good design keeps water off the cover and the siding. Have it checked during chimney sweeping.
Can a leaking chase cover be repaired?
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. Over time, it can rust the metal firebox and flue and damage panels. The sweep will check the cover, collar and cap to find the source.
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. The rust then runs down the siding as brown streaks.
More questions? Call (240) 622-3033
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Fitting a metal cap over the top of the flue sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
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, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a La Plata chimney sweep about chase cover replacement
Call (240) 622-3033 for a local chimney sweep in La Plata and nearby towns.
(240) 622-3033
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