Some chimney tops have been destroyed by Minnesota winters and the freeze-thaw cycle over the years. Customers usually call when big chunks of concrete fall onto their roofs or on the ground. Some crowns can be repaired and sealed; others, however, need to be completely removed by jackhammer and replaced.
The best repair solution for Minnesota crowns that I have found is the Ahrens® style crown with overhang and drip edge. As you can see in the picture above, the original concrete crown top was only what is called a crown wash, because it did not incorporate an overhang, but just tapered to the edge. This is an important thing, because good water drainage away from the bricks helps protect the bricks from rotting. Bricks that absorb moisture combined with the Minnesota freeze-thaw cycle simply kill our chimney tops! Unfortunately, most crowns in Minnesota and in the Twin Cities area are constructed with a tapered crown wash, like the photo above. In the new crown that SmartSweep poured, shown in the picture below, you can see how the overhang helps protect the bricks from the rain drainage and weather. Again, this is critical because of how our Minnesota freeze-thaw cycle can cause such awful brick deterioration and chimney damage.
SmartSweep can evaluate your existing crown top and give you repair options. Have the repair done that is right for your situation. Maybe a new Ahrens® style crown with overhang and drip edge is the solution for you. Maybe just a Crowncoat® or Crownseal® elastomeric repair of your existing crown is all that is needed to make your present cement top water-tight. There’s no sense in tearing off a sound concrete top that only needs minor sealing repairs; that is a bit like “shooting a fly with a cannon.” But you do want the work done right, with no sloppy patches or cut corners. SmartSweep will tell you what you honestly need, and not try to sell you something you don’t. Options are great, aren’t they?
In the gallery are some “before and after” examples of SmartSweep’s new crowns, Crownseal® and Crowncoat® repairs, and our custom-colored crowns. Take a look. Then give us a call.
Example of Ahrens® custom colored “chocolate” crown with overhang and drip edge. To see more pictures of our work, click here.