Cracked chimney crowns after a hard freeze
Why it happens here
Fruit Heights gets deep freeze-thaw cycles from November through March. Water sits in hairline cracks on the crown, freezes overnight, and expands. Each cycle widens the crack until water is running straight into the flue and the ceiling below.
Our approach
We pour a new crown mix with the correct slope and overhang, so water sheds off instead of pooling. We also seal the crown and the top courses of brick with a breathable water repellent that lets the masonry dry out without letting new water in.