The Importance Of Having A Quality Chase Cover
Homeowners are increasingly taking advantage of the many benefits offered by a prefabricated or factory-made fireplace and chimney system. The reason being that these products:
- can be very affordable
- are designed to be highly efficient and pass significant safety testing before they’re sent to market
- come in a broad mix of styles, shapes and sizes
However, the chimneys that come with prefabricated fireplaces tend to consist solely of metal piping that works well, but can leave a little to be desired in the curb-appeal department. That’s why home builders build chases around prefabricated chimneys — chases make a simple metal chimney look great, and they also serve to protect the chimney from the elements. However, these chases need maintenance and that’s where Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps comes in.
At the top of a chase, a chase cover is installed to keep rain, snow and other kinds of precipitation from getting in and deteriorating the building materials. Certain types of chase covers, unfortunately, have been known to fail and corrode, allowing water to access the system and cause damage. A failing chase cover will quickly lead to bigger problems and costly repairs. If you think your chase cover needs to be replaced, call Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps — we can help!
Is My Chase Cover Failing?
You’ll see some pretty obvious signs if the chase cover on your prefabricated chimney is starting to fail. The first sign is rust — if you notice patches of rust on the top of the chase cover, or streaks running down its sides onto the chase, water has begun to damage the chase cover, and it’s no longer providing the kind of protection you need.
Water damage in or around your fireplace can also indicate a failing chimney chase cover. If you notice any of these issues, call Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps — we can determine if a faulty chase cover is causing or leading to leaks.
Custom Chase Covers Are Designed To Properly Protect Your Chase
Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps installs custom chase covers that are made to fit your chimney chase perfectly. These are also designed with a slope for optimum water-shedding ability. Chases are routinely made with galvanized metal, stainless steel or copper, but at Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps, we highly recommend copper and stainless steel, as these metals are rust-resistant and can last for decades. While galvanized metal is the least expensive option, it is much more susceptible to water damage, so we don’t see the same durability as we do with copper and stainless steel.
Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps can “Bless Your Hearth” by installing a custom chimney chase cover that will bring protection and beauty to your prefabricated chimney for years to come. Call us today or click here to make an appointment with our CSIA-certified technicians!
ChimneySaver Water Repellent is a great product for protecting your chimney from unwanted water intrusion. Ask us for more details.