How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Chimney Crown?

$350 - $400
Average Cost
$750 - $1,000
$1,000 - $3,000
(deeper cracks and/or flaking materials)

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How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Chimney Crown?

$350 - $400
Average Cost
$750 - $1,000
$1,000 - $3,000
(deeper cracks and/or flaking materials)

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Reviewed by Irene Pomares. Written by

Homeowners don't usually think about the pieces that make up their chimneys. However, these pieces all do important work to keep your chimney and your home safe. A chimney crown, for example acts like a roof over your chimney to keep rainwater, debris, and even small animals from getting into your house. It also keeps sparks and hot ashes from landing on your roof or any other flammable places. Most notably, it keeps your chimney from deteriorating over time.

Unfortunately, not all chimney crowns were made up to code, especially on chimneys that are not pre-fabricated. There are a lot of variables that go into chimney crown repair cost, but most people can expect to pay between $750 and $1,200 for their repairs, with the average customer paying $900 for repairs such as crack fillings and sealant applications.

Repair a Chimney Crown Costs

Repair a chimney crown costs
National average cost$900
Average range$750 - $1,000
Minimum cost$350 - $400
Maximum cost$1,000 - $3,000

Chimney Crown Repair Cost by Project Range

$350 - $400
Simple crack repairs or sealant top coat
Average Cost
$750 - $1,000
Deeper cracks and/or flaking materials
$1,000 - $3,000
Repair crumbling pieces or rebuilding crown

Signs That You Need to Repair Your Chimney Crown

Since your chimney crown is the tallest part of your home, it's hard to tell when it needs to be repaired. As a matter of fact, a lot of homeowners don't realize that they need chimney crown repair until they get an inspection from a chimney service. That being said, there are several signs you can look for that indicate the need for chimney crown repair. If you notice air or water coming through the fireplace, you may have cracks in your chimney crown. You can also look for other signs that moisture has gotten into the chimney. Those signs include unpleasant odors coming from the fireplace during air conditioning season, moisture-damaged interior walls, and damaged or moist mortar 1 joints 2. If your chimney crown is made out of bricks or another porous material, then you should replace the crown as soon as possible. Chimney crowns should be made from waterproof materials. When they are not, water gets absorbed into the chimney crown instead of flowing away from it as intended.

Cost Factors​

Several factors can go into your chimney crown repair costs. First, there is the accessibility of your roof and the location of your chimney. If your chimney repair specialist cannot access the chimney without building complicated scaffolding 3, then the cost of labor might increase. Likewise, the pitch (slope) of the roof may complicate the process. If your roof is especially steep, it can make it tougher for a repair specialist to finish their work quickly. Since many specialists charge by the hour, a more complicated chimney setup will lead to higher costs because it takes longer for the specialist to get the job done. When it comes to cost, the extent of the damage matters, too. If your chimney crown only has a few cracks (around $350), it can cost far less to repair than a chimney crown that is crumbling (up to $1,200).

Common Problems and Solutions

When it comes to chimney crown repair, there are some very common problems that homeowners face. One of the most common problems is algae and moss on the chimney crown. A contractor will use a chemical cleaner designed for removing algae and moss at a price of around $100-$300. Sealing the crown will also prevent moisture from damaging your chimney crown again ($160-$300). More often than not, moss will build up due to existing cracks in the crown, so repairing them will prevent moisture from coming back. Caulking the cracks or filling them with concrete averages $1,000. For more severe cases where pieces are crumbling or there are missing pieces in the crown, resurfacing may be needed at a cost of $750-$1,200.

Common problemsSolutionsCost
Debris and buildupChimney cleaning $100-$500
Algae and moss

Using a chemical cleaner designed for algae and moss

Sealing the chimney to prevent more growth

Repairing cracks to prevent further moisture growth





Filling the cracks with concrete

Caulking 4 the cracks

Sealing the chimney crown to prevent further cracks




Missing piecesResurfacing the chimney crown$750-$1,200
Crumbling chimney crownFull crown replacementfrom $3,000


When your chimney crown has cracks or missing pieces, it is best to hire a professional chimney repair service. Chimney repair specialists have special training that allows them to navigate your roof safely, choose the best materials for the job, and get the job done quickly. Furthermore, a professional will know how to minimize their exposure to creosote and other harmful chemicals during the repair process.

The repair process and cost will both depend on the extent of the damage. For surface level cracks, a sealant may be enough to get the job done. This type of project will likely only take a few hours. More extensive damage may require a full crown replacement. In that case, the project can take several days, including the 24-48 hours it may take for the concrete to set. Chimney sweeps often also provide repair services, and they may either charge a flat rate for their labor or charge about $75 per hour. Chimney installers, meanwhile, generally charge $200 for the first hour of work and $100 for each subsequent hour. In many cases, you can choose one or the other. However, not all chimney sweep services offer repairs. If you can’t find a chimney sweep in your area who does repairs, then an installer should be able to get the job done. For minimal chimney crown damage, you may only pay about $300-$400 in labor costs.


The best way to save money on future repairs is to keep your chimney crown in good shape. For the most part, your chimney crown will be fine on its own, especially if it was installed correctly. However, a correctly-installed chimney crown is surprisingly rare among American homes. It is best to be on the lookout for potential chimney issues just in case your chimney sustains damage. You can catch problems in the early stages by keeping an eye out for the signs of moisture damage mentioned above. For added protection, a waterproof sealant can keep your chimney crown in top shape. Yearly professional chimney inspections can help you make sure that your chimney crown stays in its best shape, and a regular chimney sweep service can help you keep debris away from your chimney. The average cost for a chimney inspection is $300.

Rebuilding vs Repairing a Chimney Crown

When you have chimney crown problems, you can either repair the crown or replace it completely. If your crown just has a few chips and cracks, then re-sealing those cracks may be all your chimney needs. However, if you have extensive chimney crown problems, then replacement may be the best decision. As stated above, not all masons build their chimneys with proper crowns. If your chimney crown doesn't slope properly or provide enough overhang, then it won't give your chimney proper protection from rain and other elements. If the crown was not made from waterproof materials, then it can crumble and crack, leading to further repair needs. However, a properly built chimney crown can protect your chimney for up to 75 years. If you choose to replace your current chimney crown now with the proper materials, then you likely won't have to deal with further chimney crown issues for several decades. That said, chimney crown replacement can cost over $3,000. For those who can't afford the expense of full crown replacement, repair is a good fix until they can find a more permanent solution.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Elastomeric Coating

Elastomeric coating is an acrylic sealing substance that protects a surface from weather elements. It also reflects the sun's rays, keeping the treated surface cool. Some people coat their entire roof with elastomeric coating to save money on their energy bills. However, you can also choose to coat just the chimney crown to protect it from heat and moisture. A pro would either charge a flat rate for the labor or an hourly fee of $75 to $200, depending on the professional that you hire.

Additional Considerations and Costs

  • Permits. Some states and counties may require permits for major chimney fixes and changes. Look into your area's permit laws before hiring a contractor.
  • DIY. Though it's generally a good idea to hire a professional, your chimney crown repair can be a DIY project if you simply need to fill a few cracks.
  • Crown quality. There is a lot of variety when it comes to chimney crown quality. Factors that impact the quality include material, the way the chimney was built, weather and climate, chimney maintenance, and the amount you spend on your initial investment.
  • Chimney crowns vs. chimney caps. Chimney crowns and chimney caps are two different things, but some people use both terms interchangeably. The biggest difference between the two is that a cap only covers the chimney opening, while a crown has an overhang that sends water away from your chimney. When you hire a contractor, make sure that the two of you are on the same page about what needs to be repaired.
  • Chimney sweeping. Regular chimney maintenance is an essential part of keeping your chimney running smoothly. A chimney sweeping service can make sure that your chimney crown isn't collecting debris. This service can cost around $100 to $500.


  • How much does it cost to seal a chimney?

If you take the DIY route, you can buy a small container of sealant for under $11 to seal small cracks. For a bigger sealant job, you can buy a larger can of sealant for $10-$30. With a contractor, you can expect to pay for materials plus labor (either a flat fee or $75 to $200 per hour).

  • How long should a chimney crown last?

If built correctly, a chimney crown can last for up to 75 years. However, not many chimneys other than prefabricated options have been built with the correct type of chimney crown.

  • What is a chimney crown?

A chimney crown is a slab made of metal or concrete that goes over your chimney. The slab extends over the edges of your chimney, letting water flow away from it. That extension is what sets a chimney crown apart from a chimney cap. However, a chimney crown cam also perform many of the functions of a chimney cap such as preventing animals and debris from getting into your house through your chimney and keeping sparks from flying away from your chimney and landing on something flammable.

  • How do I fix flashing around my chimney?

Flashing 5 is the metal piece that separates your chimney from the rest of your roof. Often, when the flashing needs to be fixed, the best choice is to replace your chimney's flashing completely. You can buy pre-bent flashing at a hardware store and install it yourself, or you can hire a professional roofing service. While it can be a fairly simple fix, when it comes to your roof, it’s generally best to hire a professional. No matter how simple, and job that involves climbing on your roof can be dangerous.

  • How much does it cost to replace a chimney crown?

Chimney crown replacement can cost $3,000 or more.

  • What do I use to fix a chimney crown?

It depends on what type of damage your chimney crown has sustained. Usually, you can use caulk, concrete, or specially-made sealant for DIY chimney crown repairs.

  • How do you repair a concrete chimney cap?

Like a chimney crown, a chimney cap can often be repaired with sealant or concrete. Alternately, you can hire a chimney professional for your cap repairs. It is common to have a chimney cap repaired or replaced at the same time as a chimney crown.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

See full cheat sheet.
glossary term picture Scaffolding 3 Scaffolding: A temporary structure used during construction/maintenance/painting projects to raise and support workers (or one worker), required materials, and equipment

Cost to repair a chimney crown varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.

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