Temporary cover for chimney crown?

[KSJeff]

Had to go up on the roof today and noticed that my chimney crown is a mess. Looks like I get to pour a new one, but I need to seal this up in the next few days. Was thinking about tarping it with a strap but the wind is pretty pervasive here in Kansas. What would you do? I don't use this fireplace.

 

[Walkers]

Heavy plastic sheeting and duct tape!

 

[f121]

Tarp, ratchet straps, hope it doesn't blow away, if it does, redo it.

Do you need to seal it? Are you going to get heavy rain before you get a chance to pour a new one? (In my experience the answer is always 'yes)

 

[Zeke]

You could put old towels or rags on any sharp corners to help the tarp to not tear. I would not have thought of ratchet straps. Brilliant.

 

[KSJeff]

For sure we'll get rain before I can pour a new one. I guess I'll box around the flue and tarp it down. Staple it to the framed box and ratchet it down. Then I'll duck tape around the flue.

My wife is going to love this. Wonder if I can find a brick patterend tarp?

 

[ybnormal]

replaced mine about 7yrs ago. have you done one before?
pouring it is the right way, but you can also get sheetmetal, then bend/fold/cut to shape and glue on with caulking as a temporary measure

 

[PCustoms]

Easy

 

[KSJeff]

replaced mine about 7yrs ago. have you done one before?
pouring it is the right way, but you can also get sheetmetal, then bend/fold/cut to shape and glue on with caulking as a temporary measure

I have not. I've done a few concrete projects and poured a few concrete countertops so I'm hoping that experience, combined with some youtube training, will help me get it done. I hadn't considered metal. Looks like I can grab a galvanized steel panel in 8'x24" for $20. Maybe that's the way to go. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd wrap a ratchet strap or two around the base of the chimney ( cheap HF ones should work) to form a perimeter strap.

Use this perimeter strap as the anchor point for the other ratchet straps or rubber bungee cords.

Consider using a camouflage tarp rather than a blue or gray tarp. Then tell the wife that no one will be able to see it.

If you don't use it and are not going to be using it, I would consider pouring a new cap in place. I would remove the old cap, flue and pour a solid cap. If the next owners want to use it, let them figure it out.

 

[KSJeff]

Interestng. Right now my plan is to put a 2x4 frame around the flue, cut an X in the tarp and pull it down over the cap. Then ratchet around the tarp/chimney and trim the bottom. Staple around the 2x4 of the flue, duct tape it and maybe spray it with flex seal. The 2x4 frame should give me plenty of slope to keep water running away from the flue.

But now I'm considering metal, but I don't have that figured out yet. I think I'm going to try to seal this up until summer when I have some reliable sunny weather. Spring is a real **** shoot around here.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wouldn't cut the tarp, you're just going to introduce another place for water to get in.

I'd cut a round piece of plywood, larger than the flue, with rounded off edges as the high point of the tarp. Just set it atop the flue and tarp over it

 

[mcj115]

Another thought.....since this isn't chimney that is used (no combustion), for a temporary fix go to a farm supply store...get a rubber stall mat cut a hole for the hole for the flue and put it on top. it should be heave enough as to not blow away. All you would need to do is tape around the flue seam.

 

[mike93lx]

A few pieces of peel and stick underlayment would probably work and be a lot easier and less unsightly than tarps.

A little heat and a roller and that stuff will stick pretty well

 

[Metallitubby]

I saw a house with a trash can covering their chimney last week.

 

[ybnormal]

I saw a house with a trash can covering their chimney last week.

oh come on! that's a little extreme even for you! calling a Honda a trashcan!

 

[Metallitubby]

oh come on! that's a little extreme even for you! calling a Honda a trashcan!

Busted. Damn!

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

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[DGersic]

A roll of aluminum flashing should cover that and be waterproof until you can deal with it.

 

[The Cobbler]

am I the only one thinking a can of roofing tar and smear it on the issue spots?

 

[ybnormal]

am I the only one thinking a can of roofing tar and smear it on the issue spots?

that mortar crown is crumbling. smearing wouldn't fix it, you'd have to pour it on

 

[Two Speed]

Coming from a similar situation, those of you mentioning a temporary aluminum flashing crown, is there some reason not to go with a permanent aluminum flashing crown cap? (or copper, or stainless, I can make a cap out of whatever).

My crown cracks regularly and between my dad and myself we've repoured it every 5-10 years (it has been done 5 times already). And from being up on the roof this fall I sealed up cracks in it again. Chimney is not falling apart, it is solid. Just a big concrete mass that has one side in the hot sun while the other half stays in the shadow of the house nextdoor and stays cold (its a three fluer). I figure the cracking is from uneven heating and I've contemplated making a sheet metal cap for it before it gets too bad and just go with that so I can forget about it for forever.

 

[DGersic]

Coming from a similar situation, those of you mentioning a temporary aluminum flashing crown, is there some reason not to go with a permanent aluminum flashing crown cap? (or copper, or stainless, I can make a cap out of whatever).

My crown cracks regularly and between my dad and myself we've repoured it every 5-10 years (it has been done 5 times already). And from being up on the roof this fall I sealed up cracks in it again. Chimney is not falling apart, it is solid. Just a big concrete mass that has one side in the hot sun while the other half stays in the shadow of the house nextdoor and stays cold (its a three fluer). I figure the cracking is from uneven heating and I've contemplated making a sheet metal cap for it before it gets too bad and just go with that so I can forget about it for forever.

I was thinking of a quick, temporary cover with easily available material, easy to work with, and water proof. Roll flashing I can pick up at Lowes cheap. Some snips to cut it. Maybe a few pop rivets and some silicone caulk, and you have a cover. Weather improves in a month or two, then OP can demo what’s there and pour a new one or whatever.

it sounds like you need something other than whatever you’ve been pouring. Maybe it’s just the concrete mix you’re using? Or the sun vs. shade could be something.

My solution here was tearing down the chimney, along with the fireplace, and the wall, but that’s probably not helpful unless you’re doing some major remodeling.

 

[Two Speed]

Had it all. First few times is whatever my dads mix was (not his first chimney by any means). But this one got under his skin for how often it failed. The heat thing I found when I was up there one morning prepparing to seal up a batch of cracks 2 or 3 caps ago, one side was stone cold still in the shade, the other was nice and warm from the morning sun already beating down on it (sun travels across the length). Done the bag pre-mix. Done reinforced mix. Tried high strength. Probably forgot something. Lasts a short while and cracks. The only thing not used has been rapid mix. Basically getting tired of having to always mess with it, but don't want to "seal" it up under metal if doing so is going to cause other problems.

 

[gahrajmahal]

While they were making my new cap of stainless steel sheet metal, I had a roll of house wrap. It worked great to keep out several rain storms

 

[Viper98912]

Easy

Agh! You beat me to it.

 

[ybnormal]

I've replaced mine. The quickest fix is to get a sheet of metal, measure/cut holes for the flues, then place over the top. Fold over edge and use Tapcon screws to fasten thru sides into brick/mortar. This can be used as permanent or temporary.