Chimney Crown Repair
The crown is the chimney's roof. When it cracks, water pours into the masonry below — so we seal and restore it.
The crown is the sloped concrete or mortar slab at the very top of the chimney, covering the masonry around the flue. Its job is to shed water away from the structure — and when it cracks, which it inevitably does over years of sun and freeze-thaw, water flows straight down into the masonry, one of the leading causes of chimney deterioration.
Frank & Sons repairs chimney crowns before that damage spreads. Depending on the crown's condition, repair ranges from sealing cracks with a specialized crown coating to rebuilding a crown that's crumbled beyond patching — covered on our crown rebuilding page.
Signs of crown damage
- Visible cracks across the top slab of the chimney.
- Chunks of the crown missing or crumbling.
- Water stains inside the house near the chimney.
- Efflorescence or spalling on the upper masonry.
- The crown lacks an overhang to direct water away.
How we repair crowns
For a crown that's structurally sound but cracked, we clean it and apply a flexible, waterproof crown coating that seals existing cracks and flexes with temperature changes rather than cracking again. It's a cost-effective repair that can add years of service.
When a crown has deteriorated beyond coating — crumbling, missing sections, or poorly built originally — we rebuild it properly with the right slope and an overhang to direct water clear of the masonry. We'll tell you honestly which your crown needs.
Why it matters in Greater Pittsburgh
The crown is the most weather-exposed part of the entire chimney, taking full sun and every freeze-thaw cycle head-on. In Pittsburgh's climate, cracked crowns are one of the most common problems we find — and one of the most important to catch early, since the crown protects everything below it.
Our Process
Straightforward, honest, and built around getting it right the first time.
Call or Request Online
Reach out by phone or the form. Tell us what's happening and where — we'll gather the details that matter.
Inspection & Diagnosis
We examine the system, often with a camera, to find the real cause rather than guessing at the symptom.
Clear Recommendation
You get a plain-English explanation and honest options — repair before unnecessary replacement, always.
Quality Workmanship
We do the work with the right materials and technique, then confirm the result and leave the area clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
The crown is the concrete/mortar slab covering the top of the masonry; the cap is the metal cover over the flue opening itself. Both keep water out, in different ways — and both matter.
A sound crown with cracks can usually be sealed with a flexible crown coating. A crumbling or badly built crown needs rebuilding. We assess and recommend the right option.
Fairly urgent in our climate. A cracked crown funnels water into the masonry, so sealing it promptly prevents much costlier damage below.
Related Chimney & Fireplace Services
Chimney Crown Repair Across Greater Pittsburgh
We provide chimney crown repair throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities within roughly 60 miles.
Request Chimney Crown Repair
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- ✓ Honest recommendations — repair before unnecessary replacement
- ✓ Camera-backed inspections that show you what's really there
- ✓ Serving Greater Pittsburgh within roughly 60 miles
- ✓ Family-run crew from first call to finished job
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