Chimney Crowns

The chimney crown is placed atop the masonry chimney as a form of protection against the weather. As crowns withstand a lot of abuse, they need to be made out of a solid material; most commonly, chimney crowns are made of poured concrete and free from cracks and crumbling.

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Chimney Crowns Minnesota • Repair • Restorations

The Guardian Chimney System

Under the chimney flue cap, lies the chimney crown, covering the entire top of the chimney opening except for the chimney flues that allow the combustion byproducts to escape. The chimney crown is made from cement that seals the top of the chimney chase off, to protect the chimney interior. A chimney crown in poor condition will allow moisture into the chimney system. Water deteriorates the elements of the chimney, the sides of the chimney can be protected by a waterproofing process, but a chimney cap and crown in good condition will protect the interior of the system. Protecting the inner workings of your chimney extends its life and mitigates the risk of countless common chimney problems. When a chimney has a missing chimney cap or deteriorating chimney crown covering the top of the chimney, this provides a direct entrance for animals and all types of weather conditions. When you allow this opening to remain uncovered, the interior of the chimney must withstand harsh treatment from the outdoors, which evidently results in costly repairs for the homeowner.

 

Limestone Drip Edge Option

Limestone drip ledge is a solid ledge applied to the edges of the brick cavity, measuring around 8″ in width, 6 ft long with a 2″ reveal on the facing. This ledge works well for the fact the overhang distance is adjustable and chiseled edge provides a wonderful upscale aesthetics as well.

 

Spanish Tile Roof Chimney Crown Drip Ledge

The Chimney Crown Drip Ledge is one of the vital components to the chimney crown replacement system. Without a sufficient drip ledge on a chimney crown the water has no deterrent from dripping down the front side of the bricks and posing a serious threat to the integrity of the structure. The effects of this action can lead to spalling of the brick and erosion of the mortar joints. As the water trickles down the brick it will find crevices or cracks and penetrate the structure, once this occurs the water can find a pocket and pool up and if the temperature is below freezing the pools of water can freeze and expand in the act of expanding water behind bricks can and will inevitably compromise the integrity of the masonry materials at hand.

Flue Tile Expansion Joint

The Expansion Joint is a crucial point in the chimney reconstruction process . The expansion joint is a thin 3/8 inch layer of a foam like substance. By installing this material you are ensuring your flue tile has the proper room to expand and contract. As you light your fire in your fire place the smoke raises up the flue tiles, during the heating stage your tile will heat up and swell. When the expansion happens there needs to be the proper room between the concrete crown and the tile to accommodate the growth. Without the expansion joint the crown will crack, when a crack is present water will attack that area and start the erosion process. Once the installation of the concrete against the foam is complete, we trim the foam back to the height of the concrete crown bed, then use a pliable sealant around the perimeter of the tile to create a water tight environment for the expansion joint. The sealant must remain pliable, no glues or caulking should be used, do to the fact that when it drys it can’t mirror the expansion process, glues and caulking will dry solid and crack. Only pliable materials should be used as sealant for maximum protection.

 

False Flue Tile

The use of a false flue tiles are strictly for aesthetic purposes. In the early years installers made the mistake of installing the false flue tiles into the cement. This process posses a major risk to the integrity of your chimney crown. Most installers fill the empty cavity of the false tiles with miscellaneous bricks and debris, then cap it of with a layer of mortar. As the mortar begins to age small fractures begin to form and water will find its way in and begin to pool up, as the temperature drops that water will freeze and when water freezes it expands, that action will cause the false tile to crack the crown. All though false flue tile are strictly aesthetic we have developed a process to give the home owner the option to keep the look they have always had. By installing a new tile with expansion joint as well as a made to fit top flashing glued and applied to avoid the water entry into the false tile.

Wire Mesh / Re Bar

Wire Mesh / Re bar:  Before applying the concrete to the chimney we install a wire mesh / re bar to the concrete bed, this process will insure a strengthening factor to the crown. As the concrete drys around the wire mesh the crown gains the strength of the steel mesh by weaving between the waffle like material and then becoming one solid unit.

Repair or Replace a Damaged Chimney Crown

The chimney crown (also referred to as the chimney wash) is the top element of a masonry chimney. It covers and seals the top of the chimney from the flue liner to the chimney edge.

The crown should provide a downward slope that will direct the water from the flue to the edge of the crown. The overhanging drip edge, by directing the run-off from the crown away from the chimney, helps prevent erosion of the brick and mortar in the chimney’s vertical surfaces. 

Chimney Repair - Inspection Twin Cities MN
Chase cover chimney repair

Newly constructed flues may feature a chase cover, a cap, and a spark arrestor at the top to keep small animals out and to prevent sparks from being broadcast into the atmosphere. All fireplaces require trained gas service members to carry out installations.

Chimney Crown Repair

On the exterior there is often a corbelled brick crown, in which the projecting courses of brick act as a drip course to keep rainwater from running down the exterior walls. Spark arrestor is placed into the crown or cap.

Chimney Heat Shield Repair Inspection MN

Chimney’s fireplace heat shields protect the rear firebricks and fireplace mortar of your firebox from needing fireplace chimney repairs. They prevent direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure, which greatly minimizes the expansion & contraction of firewall firebricks and fireplace mortar.

Client Testimonials

“Highly recommend Guardian Chimney Solutions - I called them on a Monday afternoon concerning a smell coming from my fireplace and they were here by Tuesday. As a new home owner, were knowledgeable and wonderful to deal with. They took the time to explain everything. Definitely will be using them if there are any other issues!.”

Cassie Letson

Homeowner

“Had raccoons in my chimney earlier this week (cute pictures attached!) and realized it was time to do something to keep them (and the bats we've previously had in our chimney) out! I called around for different estimates and checked all kinds of reviews online. Not only were Guardian's reviews the best out there but the estimate I received matched the best out of a number of other local companies. I called on Tuesday and they were out on Wednesday getting the job done. I was very impressed with the service and would happily recommend them to anyone and everyone! Thanks, and keep up the great work, Guardian Chimney Solutions!"

Greg

Homeowner

“Very responsive, timely, efficient, and expertly done. Worked hard and quietly the entire time they were on site. Finished ahead of schedule. Respectful and pleasant. If we have another chimney issue, these guys will be my only call.”

Rich Harman

Homeowner

“We had our long-neglected chimney repaired from the roof line up to the top of the chimney. Guardian ground out the mortar around the entire chimney and rebuilt the top number of rows of brick with new brick and put a new cap on the top to replace the badly cracked cement cap that was there. The tuck-pointing that they performed on the chimney and another area above a door all looked well done. They completed the job in one day, in spite of a short downpour that halted their work. They cleaned up all evidence of their work afterwards and left our yard looking like they never were there. Joe, the owner, was a pleasure to work with. He did most of the brickwork himself and repaired a part of the chimney that was unexpectedly in bad condition without charge. He was clear in his communication with us in a written proposal and priced the job more reasonably than others. When rain was predicted on the original date of work he called and let us know he had to reschedule and rescheduled for the next day, showing up on time. He was trustworthy and very easy to work with. We would certainly recommend him to others for their chimney and brick work.”

Phil

Homeowner

“Showed up on time for both estimating and doing the work. Estimate was very clear and thorough. (And less expensive than the "other guy".) Work was done in a timely manner, everyone was polite, and they cleaned up afterwards. Every company should be this good. Kudos!.”

Michael Byrne

Homeowner

“Couldn’t recommend Joe and Guardian Chimney Solutions more if you need any repairs done to your chimney. Joe took time out of his already busy day to fit me in and repair damages on my chimney so that I was up to code before closing on my house. He was timely, personable, and best of all very skilled at what he does. All in all a great experience.”

Andrew

Homeowner

“We were extremely pleased with our experience with Guardian Chimney Solutions. We had a fireplace liner installed last year and had it cleaned for the first time this summer. Both Joe and Derek were professional, friendly and and prompt. They answered all questions thoroughly and were easy to work with. We would highly recommend this company."
Lisa and Paul Pettersen

Lisa

Homeowner

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We’ve Been Doing Chimney Crown Repair & Restoration For Over 10 Years

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be swept at 1/8″ of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system.  This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home. Factory-built fireplaces should be swept when any appreciable buildup occurs. The logic is that the deposit is quite acidic and can shorten the life of the fireplace.

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We only use the highest quality products because we believe in quality over quantity. Our masons complete each project using the most modern techniques and state-of-the-art tools.

Whether you need fireplace restoration, chimney tear down service or stone and block repair, TotalChimneySolutions.com. is your premier choice in the Twin Cities.

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Guardian Chimney Solutions LLC

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(612) 636-0277

If you are with out heat and or sense an obstruction blocking your chimney or flue do to wind water or fire, do not hesitate.

Please contact us using our 24 hour help line ASAP!

We are looking forward to surpassing your expectations

Guardian Installers are well versed and highly prepared for the field, we undergo rigorous training to become a trusted team of fireplace inspection personnel.

We take pride in our work!

Guardian Chimney Solutions LLC. Is a owner operated company  with over a 17 years in business, we welcome you to look around our website in hopes that we can provide value to your life with information to help you through the process of choosing a contractor you can trust as well as providing insight you may use during the trouble shooting process of your project. Guardian looks forward to surpassing your expectations.

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(612) 636-0277

 

builtbyguardian@gmail.com

 

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Minneapolis–Saint Paul is a major metropolitan area built around the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and Falls at Saint Anthony.

Chimney Repair - Inspection Twin Cities MN

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