Cracked crowns letting water into the flue
Why it happens here
The crown is a thin concrete cap on top of the chimney, and it cracks as it ages and cycles through freeze-thaw. Once cracked, water runs behind the flashing and into the attic or ceiling.
Our approach
We chip out the failed crown, rebuild it with a proper slope away from the flue, and seal it with ChimneySaver crown sealant. This is a one-day repair that stops the most common leak source we find.