Chimney Crown Repair in Lighthouse Point, FL

The chimney crown — the concrete or mortar slab that caps the top of the chimney structure and protects the flue opening perimeter — takes a beating on Lighthouse Point properties. It sits fully exposed to subtropical sun, Broward's periodic heavy rain, and whatever salt and humidity the canal breezes deliver year-round. Thermal expansion and contraction cycle constantly, and over time the surface that looked solid when the chimney was built develops cracks that let water in.

Chimney Crown Repair: What the Work Looks Like

The kind of chimney crown repair work we handle for Lighthouse Point homeowners — swipe to see more.

Why Lighthouse Point Homes Need Chimney Crown Repair

What makes crown deterioration particularly deceptive on older Lighthouse Point homes is that it often isn't visible from the ground. By the time water is showing up inside the firebox or along the masonry below the roofline, the crown may have been failing quietly for two or three seasons. On re-stuccoed chimneys — which are common in this neighborhood — a layer of painted stucco can conceal a crown that is crumbling underneath, making it look acceptable until the surface coat separates.

Crown repairs vary depending on what we find. Minor cracking on a structurally sound crown can be addressed with a flexible elastomeric sealant applied properly to bridged and cleaned surfaces. A crown that has deteriorated past the point where patching holds — typically when cracks are wide, the perimeter edge has spalled, or the bond to the chimney brick below is compromised — needs to be cut back and replaced with a new poured crown with a proper drip edge overhang that directs water away from the masonry.

If you're a Lighthouse Point homeowner and the chimney crown hasn't been looked at in several years, it's worth having it assessed before the wet season rather than waiting for interior water damage to make the decision for you. Crown repairs done proactively are considerably less expensive than the masonry and interior work that follows a season of unchecked water intrusion.

Signs You Need Chimney Crown Repair

• Visible cracks in the concrete slab at the top of the chimney
• Pieces of the crown or concrete debris at the base of the chimney
• Water stains inside the chimney or on the ceiling below it
• Spalling or flaking brick just below the crown

How It Works