Post by bklmt2000 on Jun 8, 2020 19:56:53 GMT -6
Getting the top crown and both shoulder crowns replaced. Not cheap (will set me back ~$2700), but this place is part of a roofing outfit I've worked with before. Always been happy with them in the past. Most other chimney-masonry places around here are either closed due to the pandemic, are even more expensive, and/or have bad reviews online. No thanks.
Top crown will be completely removed, top part of the clay flue will be replaced, and a new, fiber-reinforced crown (4" thick with a 2" overhang and drip edge) will be poured to replace it. Shoulder crowns will be completely removed and replaced with limestone. Once the top crown completely cures (they said it'll take ~3 weeks or so), they'll come back and waterproof it with the same stuff the rest of the chimney is waterproofed with (breathable/vapor-permeable RTV silicone sealant).
Our chimney has been an ongoing headache in terms of leaking into the basement during heavy rains, so we're hoping this is the last step to finally solve this problem for good. This same outfit did some good work on the main chimney last year, to grind out and retuck several gaps in the mortar, and seal the brick from just below the crown down to the ground.
Wife's oldest son (doesn't live with us) is staying with friends while looking for a new place to live, and he has most of his worldly possessions stowed in our basement in the meantime. Right next to where our chimney meets our foundation. Where a recent rain a few weeks ago leaked in and came danger-close to his belongings. Nothing was damaged, but that was a little too close for comfort.
I hear the joy of home ownership is out there somewhere. If anyone knows where to find it, help a brother out. 
