Cracked chimney crown letting water into the flue
Why it happens here
The concrete crown on a Stonehurst chimney expands and contracts with every freeze-thaw cycle. After 30 years, hairline cracks open up and water runs straight into the flue. Once inside, that water freezes and widens the crack further.
Our approach
We remove the old crown mix, rebuild the overhang with a proper slope, and seal it with ChimneySaver water repellent. A correctly built crown sheds water instead of absorbing it. Most Stonehurst crown repairs take three to five hours.