What Is A Chimney Chase Top?

If you have a prefab fireplace with manufactured gas burning logs, the “chase” is the artificial chimney that sticks out of your roof. The chase top is what sits on top of it. It’s important to have a chase and chase top that are in good working order because these components are what keep water out of your chimney and out of your home.

Aelite Chimney Specialties - Chase Cover Before

Aelite Chimney Specialties - Chase Cover Complete

Aelite Chimney Specialties - Chase Cover Installation

Aelite Chimney Specialties - Chase Top Close Up

If you’ve had your chase top for as long as you can remember, we’re willing to bet it’s accumulated some rust. What tends to happen with chase tops over the years is that they rust because of all the rain, ice and snow that pile on top of them (thanks to our weather here in Illinois). When all that moisture—plus pine straw, leaves, and other debris—sits atop your chimney chase top for a long period of time, it creates an acidic mixture that can begin to eat through the metal. This will become evident when you see rust stains on your chase or roof. A closer look may also reveal that your chase top has started to “pit,” so that water can drip inside of your chimney. You may even hear the unnerving sound of water dripping into your home.

Rust stains aren’t just a cosmetic issue; they’re a sign that your chase top or some other nearby component needs to be quickly replaced before its deterioration leads to costly water damage. Our inspections often reveal that a chase top was installed incorrectly from the beginning—because they’ve either been built without supports to hold the chase top up or because the chase tops have nail holes in them that are rusting and leaking. Be sure to have your chase top checked for proper installation!

How do I know if I need a new chase top?

If you see rust on your chase cover, chase, or roof, there’s a good chance that water is getting inside your chase, which in turn may be causing damage to your chimney, heating appliance and even your drywall. For that reason we tell our customers that the No. 1 sign that your chase top needs replacing is when there are rust stains. Rust on the outside of your chimney usually means there’s rust on the inside of your chimney, too.

How Aelite Chimney Can Help

The chimney professionals at Aelite Chimney Specialties will be happy to help you decide which chase top is the best choice for your chimney chase, or to repair or replace the one you have if it’s been damaged. With our professional installation, you’re guaranteed a chase top that will serve you for the life of your chimney. Call Aelite Chimney Specialties at (815) 363-1242 or click here to schedule an appointment online.

Increase the efficiency of your fireplace with a new damper. This is an easy chimney repair for the experts at Aelite.