Stop leaks at the source. Protect brick, mortar, crown, and interior finishes from water damage.
Get Leak ProtectionMost chimney problems begin with moisture. Wind-driven rain, melting snow, and freeze-thaw cycles push water into tiny gaps at the top of the stack (the crown), around the base where the chimney meets the roof (flashing), and through the masonry itself. Once inside, water causes stains, musty odors, flaking brick faces (spalling), crumbling mortar, rusted dampers, and interior ceiling damage. At Naugatuck Chimney Services, our cap and waterproofing solutions stop water at every typical entry point and help your chimney shed the elements year after year in Connecticut’s challenging climate.
Effective protection is a system—cap, crown, flashing, and masonry treatment—working together. We evaluate each part and correct the weak link so water can’t sneak back in.
A cap is the first line of defense. We size caps to your flue(s) and crown to ensure full coverage with proper overhang and a tight, secure fit. Our stainless steel caps include spark arrestor screens to block embers and keep out wildlife. For multi-flue crowns, we can install a full-coverage cap that spans the entire top with a drip edge, protecting the crown itself from direct rainfall. Caps also help control downdrafts and keep leaves and nesting materials out of the flue—key for draft and odor control.
The crown is the concrete or mortar slab at the very top of the chimney. Many older crowns are flat, thin, and cracked. We repair small, non-structural cracking with professional-grade elastomeric sealants that bridge hairline gaps and shed water. When crowns are too thin or badly deteriorated, we rebuild them with correct thickness, slope, and drip edge. A proper crown prevents ponding, directs water away from the flue, and protects the courses of brick below.
Where the chimney meets the roof is a notorious leak point. We inspect step flashing and counter-flashing details for dried sealant, gaps, and improper laps. Our repair approach includes replacing failed sections, cutting new counter-flashing into the mortar joint for a mechanical lock, and sealing transitions. The goal: turn a chronic leak into a dry, stable tie-in with your roofing system.
Brick and mortar are porous. We apply penetrating, silane/siloxane-based repellents formulated for masonry that reduce water absorption dramatically while allowing trapped moisture vapor to escape. This is critical in New England—film-forming coatings can trap moisture and cause more damage. Properly applied, a breathable treatment helps keep your chimney dry, reduces efflorescence and staining, and extends service life. We prep the surface, repair open joints, allow proper cure time, then apply the water repellent for uniform coverage and performance.
Start with an inspection. We trace leaks methodically—from cap and crown to flashing and brick—to stop damage at the source and recommend the right combination of fixes.
Connecticut’s freeze-thaw cycles expand absorbed water inside masonry, turning hairline cracks into big problems. Late spring through early fall is ideal for crown work and water-repellent application, giving materials the cure time and temperatures they need. If an active leak is present, we prioritize temporary protection (cap installs, emergency sealants) and schedule permanent repairs for the earliest suitable weather window.
1) Diagnose: Review interior stains/odors, examine the firebox and damper for rust or water tracks, and inspect cap, crown, brick, and flashing.
2) Plan: Provide a written scope with photos—what’s urgent (leak stop), what’s preventive (repellent, crown slope), and what improves longevity (counter-flashing).
3) Prep: Grind and repoint open joints, clean surfaces, and set protection for landscaping/roofing.
4) Execute: Install the correctly sized cap, rebuild or seal the crown, repair flashing, and apply breathable water repellent.
5) Verify: Final water test when appropriate, cleanup, and homeowner walkthrough with maintenance guidance.
We use stainless steel caps and anchors, professional elastomeric crown systems, compatible flashing metals, and penetrating repellents designed for vertical masonry. These materials stand up to UV, temperature swings, and the wet-dry cycling we see across Naugatuck and the Naugatuck River valley.
Quality caps last for years with minimal care; we recommend a visual check during your annual inspection. Water repellents typically protect for 5–10 years depending on exposure; we can advise on reapplication intervals. Crowns should be checked every season for new cracking, especially after extreme cold snaps. Our team stands behind materials and workmanship—ask about product warranties available for your specific scope.
Pricing depends on cap size/number of flues, crown condition (seal vs. rebuild), flashing complexity, chimney height/access, and the square footage of masonry to treat. We provide clear, line-item estimates so you can phase work or complete it all at once—whatever fits your budget and timeline.
Call (203) 720-6577 or use our contact form. We protect chimneys throughout Naugatuck, CT with solutions tailored to your home and roofline.
Pair a new crown with a full-coverage cap and breathable repellent—this combo dramatically reduces future leaks and masonry wear.