Protect the top of your chimney: (815) 296-8285 · Caps, crown repair & animal guards · Insured & Bonded · Romeoville, IL
The cap and crown are the chimney’s roof — the two components at the very top that keep rain, animals, and embers out while letting smoke escape. A missing cap or a cracked crown is one of the most common reasons chimneys leak and one of the easiest problems to fix before it causes real damage. Masterful Chimney Sweep installs caps and repairs crowns on chimneys throughout Romeoville. Call (815) 296-8285 to have yours checked.
Cap versus crown: what is the difference?
People often use the terms interchangeably, but they are two different parts. The crown is the sloped concrete or masonry slab that covers the top of the chimney structure and sheds water away from the brick and flue. The cap is the metal cover-and-screen assembly that sits over the flue opening itself. The crown protects the masonry; the cap protects the flue. A well-protected chimney needs both in good condition.
What a chimney cap does for you
- Keeps water out of the flue — rain that pours straight down an open flue rusts the damper, soaks the smoke shelf, and speeds up liner deterioration.
- Blocks animals — birds, squirrels, and raccoons treat an uncapped flue like a hollow tree. A cap with a proper screen keeps them out, along with their nests and the blockages they cause.
- Stops embers — the spark-arrestor screen catches embers that could otherwise land on the roof.
- Reduces downdrafts — the right cap helps prevent wind from pushing smoke back down the flue.
Why crowns crack and what we do about it
A chimney crown takes the full force of sun, rain, and Illinois freeze-thaw cycles. Over time it develops hairline cracks, and once water gets into those cracks and freezes, they widen. A failing crown lets water run straight into the masonry below, which leads to spalling brick, failed mortar joints, and interior leaks. Depending on the damage, we either seal the crown with a flexible waterproof coating or, when it has deteriorated too far, recast it. Catching a cracked crown early is far cheaper than the masonry repair that water damage eventually requires.
Signs you need cap or crown work
- Water in the firebox or a rusted damper.
- Animals, chirping, or scratching sounds coming from the chimney.
- A visibly cracked or crumbling crown at the top of the chimney.
- A cap that is bent, rusted, missing its screen, or gone entirely.
- Debris or nesting material falling into the fireplace.
Our approach in Romeoville
Cap and crown work happens at the very top of the chimney, so it takes the right equipment and a technician who is comfortable and safe on a roof. Owner Leo Jenkins has 18 years of experience sizing caps to fit correctly — an ill-fitting cap is almost as bad as none — and repairing crowns so they actually shed water. We are insured and bonded, we quote the work up front, and we can pair cap and crown work with a sweep or inspection in the same visit. Starting prices are on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a chimney cap?
Yes. An uncapped flue lets in rain, animals, and debris and offers no spark protection. A cap is an inexpensive part that prevents several of the most common and costly chimney problems.
How long does a chimney crown last?
A well-built crown can last many years, but our freeze-thaw winters shorten that if it is not sealed. Annual inspection catches early cracks so the crown can be sealed before it fails.
Can you keep animals out of my chimney?
Yes. A properly sized cap with a durable screen keeps birds, squirrels, and raccoons out. If animals are already nesting, we clear the flue first and then cap it.
What is the difference between sealing and replacing a crown?
If the crown is intact with minor cracks, a flexible waterproof sealant extends its life. If it is badly deteriorated or spalling, we recast it. The inspection determines which you need.
Will a new cap stop my chimney from leaking?
Sometimes. A cap stops water entering the flue opening, but leaks also come from a cracked crown, open mortar joints, or failed flashing. We identify the actual source rather than guessing.
Can you replace just the cap without other work?
Absolutely. If the rest of the chimney is sound, a cap replacement is a quick, standalone job we can often complete in one visit.
Already hearing animals in the chimney?
If something has already moved in, do not light a fire — a blocked flue pushes smoke and carbon monoxide back into the house. We clear the nest and debris, confirm the flue is open with an inspection, and then install a properly screened cap so it does not happen again. Call (815) 296-8285 and we will take care of it.
Reviewed by Leo Jenkins, owner of Masterful Chimney Sweep.
Keep water and animals out for good. Call (815) 296-8285.