Cracked crowns leaking water into the chimney chase
Why it happens here
Concrete crowns crack from thermal expansion and contraction, and Laurel Oak gets dozens of freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Water gets into the crack, freezes, and widens it until the whole crown is compromised. This is the single most common leak source we find here.
Our approach
We pour a new crown with a proper slope and overhang so water sheds away from the flue instead of pooling on top. We also seal the crown to the brick and check the flashing while we are up there. Most crown jobs are done in a day.