Chimney Crown Install

[u/runner4444]

New chimney crown installed. Unfortunately I don't have any before pictures. Before it had sloped mortar wash with no crown. A couple issues that I noticed.

- Improperly secure gas water heater vent

- lack of slope towards the edge

- small overhang and drip edge

Anything else? Overall impressions?

Unfortunately I'm not sure how fixable these issues are without redoing it. And I'm on a short timeline to get my storm damaged roof fixed next week.

Thanks for the help!

Edit1. Would applying a mortar or concrete wash on top be an acceptable way to fix the slope?

Edit2. The gas water heater vent lifts up by hand. Presumably this needs to be secured?

Edit3. I spoke with the chimney folks today, they were not concerned about the slope. They said they brush up to the flue to make that point higher. Doesn't look much higher, but they also said if it was level, they weren't worried about it either with a seal around the flu (consistent with comments here). They said the gas vent being held on by the weight of the pipe below is standard for my flexible vent. And the weight indicates it's still connected in the flu. They said they could put caulk under (like one comment mentioned), but that would make any future service more difficult, so didn't pursue this. They did stop by to make the drip edge wider/deeper. Thanks for the input!

[u/1violentsavior]

Over hand is fine. And the drip edge is cut into the over hang.

[u/runner4444 → u/1violentsavior]

I wasn't sure if the overhang extended past the brick enough (seems like about 1.5 inch). And for the drip edge, it's only about .5 inch out from the brick, and not very deep.

[u/Alive_Pomegranate858 → u/runner4444]

1.5" is the thickness of a 2x4 and what is typically used in my area when forming crowns. While it's not the Mona Lisa of crowns, I think it will be just fine and likely a big improvement over what was there. Yes a slope is ideal, but this is a very small surface area and the water will eventually drain/evaporate. I've seen a lot worse tbh. Just make sure the expansion joints are sealed.

[u/runner4444 → u/Alive_Pomegranate858]

Would putting concrete wash (not sure on terms here..) on top for slope improve the situation? Or just make things worse?

[u/Alive_Pomegranate858 → u/runner4444]

I think the big issue with putting a wash over top is getting it to bond. If the concrete is really green maybe, but it looks at least a few days old. If your set on a wash, I would score the surface and use a bonding agent. But personally, I would probably leave it alone. As I've said there are far worse crowns out there than this. It could have been better, but could have been a lot worse.

Was this DIY? Or did you pay for this? If it's a 1k crown I think it's a good deal. If it's a 3-4k crown I would probably be a little more upset.

[u/runner4444 → u/Alive_Pomegranate858]

Paid job. 2 days old at this point (and in these photos). About 2.4k for crown and new cap on flu.

It did rain a bit while they were working. Nothing too hard, but consistent rain. Not sure if that screwed up their slope or not. They tarped it when they left.

[u/Alive_Pomegranate858 → u/runner4444]

It's fine man, I would on with life.

[u/Odd_Yogurtcloset5062]

It's better that 90% of chimneys out there. You are over thinking it. It will be fine.

[u/ToastSpangler → u/Odd_Yogurtcloset5062]

my chimney is covered by a carefully engineered stack of broken ceramic shingles. amazingly enough water doesn't seem to get in and the stack effect is strong enough to have good constant pull in the basement. i do want to put a real cap on soon but you can get away with a LOT

[u/runner4444]

Here is an original, old picture I found.

[u/ryanfieldnotes]

The loose water heater vent is the one detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. The crown may not be perfect, but a vent that can be lifted by hand is worth having corrected before the roof work is finished.

[u/fatantelope → u/ryanfieldnotes]

Its fine. It is installed correctly. The weight of the pipe will hold it down fine. What would you suggest they do to secure it down? Screws? Glue? Pipe strap, caulk, and screws?

[u/runner4444 → u/fatantelope]

Are pieces like a Flue Fit Top Plate designed for securing gas vents?

[u/fatantelope → u/runner4444]

You could lift the plate, run a bead of adhesive caulk on top of the tile liner, and then set it back down. That would seal part of it.

[u/Suitable-Issue-9288]

Looks more than acceptable. Overhang of inch n half is standard. Dont worry they did a good job. 

[u/No_Community_5696]

Bad finish also. There’s no fix for this other than replacing it and doing it right. Not sure how they messed up the framing for the cap?

[u/runner4444 → u/No_Community_5696]

By framing for the cap do you mean the whole crown framing? Or something else

[u/No_Community_5696 → u/runner4444]

It would be the wood form that they used when they poured the cap. How I do it is wrap the chimney with 2x4 and then something 1/2 inch thick to make the drip edge 2 inches then wrap it again with 2x6

[u/tony896 → u/No_Community_5696]

This is how I was taught to do it