Sealed Tight & Built to Last
Chimney Crown Repair in Vermont & New Hampshire
The chimney crown is the first thing that takes the hit every time it rains, snows, or freezes. It sits at the top of your chimney, spans from the flue to the edge of the brick, and is designed to shed water away from the masonry below. When it cracks, water gets in. That water freezes, the crack grows, and the damage spreads down into the chimney structure. By the time you notice water stains on the ceiling, the problem has usually been building for a while.
Chimney Savers is a family-owned business that has been diagnosing and repairing chimney crowns across Vermont and New Hampshire since 1989. We understand the difference between a crown that can be sealed and one that needs to be replaced — and we'll tell you what we'd do if it were our own chimney.
Why Timely Chimney Crown Repair Matters
The crown does more work than most homeowners realize. When it's in good shape, it quietly protects your entire chimney and everything connected to it from the weather. When it's cracked or wearing down, that protection disappears fast. Here's why it's worth staying on top of.
Stops Seasonal Damage Before It Starts
Even small cracks in the crown let water in, and in our climate, that water freezes and expands with each cold snap. Catching crown damage early means a simple, affordable repair rather than something much larger come spring.
Keeps Your Brickwork in Good Shape
A crown in good condition acts like a small roof for your chimney, shedding water away from the sides rather than letting it soak into the brick and mortar below. That goes a long way toward keeping your masonry looking and performing the way it should.
Prevents Moisture From Getting Into Your Home
A watertight crown is one of the most straightforward ways to keep moisture from working its way into your home's ceilings, framing, and interior walls before it becomes a much bigger problem to address.
One of the Best Returns on a Small Repair
Crown sealing and repair are among the most cost-effective maintenance investments in chimney care. Staying on top of a worn crown is far simpler and much less expensive than addressing the damage that builds up when it's left alone.
Trusted by Your Neighbors
Chimney Savers sent a two-man crew to replace some cracked mortar, seal the ash pit opening and replace the crown of my chimney. They arrived earlier than scheduled and were incredibly polite, clean and enthusiastic about their work. Both of the guys were more than willing to explain the how and why of their work in a way that was understandable. The Chimney Savers estimate I received was also $5k less (no joke) than a popular competitors' for much of the same work. Glad I got a second opinion.
Steve Hill
Not sure if your chimney crown needs repair or replacement?
Here are the most common signs your chimney crown needs attention.
Pieces of Concrete on the Ground
If you've noticed small chunks or flakes of concrete near the base of your chimney or on the shingles below, that material came from somewhere and the crown is the most likely source.
Rust on Your Damper or Firebox
Rust showing up on damper hardware or the metal components inside your firebox is a reliable signal that water has been working its way down through the chimney — something a healthy crown would be shedding away.
Worn or Flaking Bricks Below the Cap
When the bricks just below the crown are showing signs of wear, spalling faces, loose mortar, or discoloration, it's often an indication that moisture has been getting past the crown above them.
White Staining on the Chimney Exterior
Those chalky white deposits on chimney brick, known as efflorescence, appear when water moves through the masonry and leaves minerals behind on the surface. It's usually a sign that moisture is getting in somewhere it shouldn't be.
Our Approach to Chimney Crown Repair
Every chimney crown is a little different, and the right solution depends on what we actually find when we get up there. We're straightforward about what each situation calls for, whether that's a simple seal or a full replacement.
Starting with an Honest Assessment
Before we recommend anything, we get on the roof and take a close look at the condition of your crown. We check for cracking, structural stability, and how water has been affecting the surrounding masonry so we can tell you exactly what's going on and what level of repair actually makes sense for your situation.
Minor Crown Maintenance
For crowns that are structurally sound but starting to show surface cracks or early wear, a professional-grade sealant applied correctly can restore the waterproof barrier and add meaningful life to the existing structure without the cost of a full replacement.
Full Crown Coating
When the crown needs more than spot-sealing, we apply a flexible, breathable waterproof coating over the entire surface. This creates a consistent barrier against rain and ice while still allowing the masonry to breathe — a good fit for crowns that are worn but still structurally intact.
Full Crown Replacement
When a crown is cracked through, crumbling, or missing entirely, the most honest solution is a complete rebuild. We construct and pour a custom-formed concrete crown with the right slope and overhang to shed water away from your chimney the way it should. It's built to hold up through New England winters for years to come.
Regional Expertise
Expert Chimney Crown Repair Across Vermont & New Hampshire
Our crews work throughout Vermont and New Hampshire year-round, handling chimney crown repairs on everything from historic brick colonials to newer construction. Crown problems are particularly common in this region. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are hard on concrete and homes here see more thermal stress per season than in milder climates.
We regularly serve homeowners in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, Stowe, Randolph, Lebanon, Hanover & Claremont, along with dozens of surrounding towns in both states. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just reach out.
Ready to schedule your chimney crown repair?
Contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chimney crown and a wash?
These two terms are often used interchangeably but they mean different things. A wash is a thin layer of concrete material, usually less than 4 inches thick, that forms a slope from the flue opening to the edge of the bricks. A crown is over 4 inches thick, extends out past the edge of the brick, and has a drip edge built into its underside to prevent water from entering the masonry below. A concrete crown is far superior to a wash as it overhangs the chimney so water washes off the sides rather than running down the face of the brick.
What's the best way to protect my chimney crown?
If you want to maximize the lifespan of your chimney crown, installing a properly sized chimney cap is one of the most effective steps you can take.
We recommend a chimney cap that extends beyond the full width of the chimney crown whenever possible. This overhanging design helps direct rain, snow, and ice away from the crown, significantly reducing moisture exposure. By keeping water from repeatedly soaking the crown, you can help prevent cracking, freeze-thaw damage, and premature deterioration.
Combined with routine inspections and maintenance, a quality chimney cap is one of the best investments you can make to protect your chimney and extend the life of your crown.
What is an expansion joint and why does my crown need one?
An expansion joint is a flexible joint between the flue tiles that extends through the top of the chimney and into the crown. As flue tiles heat up and cool down, they expand and contract. The expansion joint allows the tile to do just that without cracking the crown from below. Without one, even a properly built crown will eventually crack and fail from the thermal stress of the flue cycling through temperatures. We include an expansion joint on every crown replacement we do.
Can a chimney crown be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?
It depends on the extent of the damage. In less severe cases, Crown Coat which is a premixed, brushable, flexible waterproofing seal, can stop water penetration and extend the life of the crown without full replacement. Our preference is to replace crowns that are found to be damaged, because a new crown is the more permanent solution. In cases of severe damage, Crown Coat cannot be used because there is nothing sound for it to adhere to. We assess this honestly at the estimate stage and give you our recommendation as if it were our own chimney.
Can chimney crown repair be done in winter?
Concrete work generally requires sustained temperatures above freezing to cure correctly, which makes spring through fall the preferred window for crown repairs and replacements in Vermont and New Hampshire. Crown sealing with products like Crown Coat can sometimes be performed in colder conditions depending on the forecast. We'll let you know at the estimate stage what timing makes sense for your specific situation.
How much does chimney crown repair cost in Vermont or New Hampshire?
Cost depends on the condition and size of the crown, whether you need sealing or full replacement, and the height and accessibility of the chimney. We provide free estimates so you have the full picture before any work begins, no surprises on the invoice. When we quote a job, you can count on that number.
How do I know if I have a crown or just a wash?
A wash is a thin concrete layer that slopes from the flue to the edge of the brick without overhanging it. A proper crown extends past the brick edge and has a drip edge built into the underside. Many older Vermont and New Hampshire homes have washes rather than true crowns. We check for this during our assessment and explain the difference so you can make an informed decision.