Chimney Leaks and Storm Damage in Topeka: Caps, Crowns and Flashing

Chimneys sit on the highest, most exposed part of a house. In Topeka, where thunderstorms bring hail, wind and heavy rain, that exposure adds up. The damage is often small at first: a hairline crack in the crown, a cap that has shifted, a seam of flashing that has pulled away. The trouble starts when water finds the gap. This guide explains the parts, what storms can do to them, and how to approach a repair in Topeka.

The parts that keep the weather out

• Cap. A cover over the flue opening that keeps rain, debris and animals out.
• Crown. The slab across the top of the masonry that sheds water away from the flue and the bricks.
• Flashing. Metal sealing the joint where the chimney meets the roof.
• Mortar joints and brick. The body of the chimney.
• Liner. The flue lining inside, which can be damaged by moisture over time.

A repair guide describes how the damage happens: cracks or holes, or worn flashing, let water in, often where the roof meets the chimney. Moisture entering the masonry causes spalling, which leads to cracks and crumbling brick. Storms can dent or crack caps and damage crowns, and heavy moisture can rot wooden parts near the chimney.

What Topeka storms have looked like

The National Weather Service office in Topeka documents local events. After a line of severe storms on June 2, 2008, its preliminary report listed hail of about 2.75 inches near Auburn and at Dover, a 63 mph gust at Forbes Field south of Topeka, an 80 mph gust at Auburn and 70 mph at Silver Lake, where a large metal shed was blown down. It also reported heavy rain in Topeka, with water standing on roads. On the night of May 18, 2017, the office reported hail in southwest Topeka that damaged siding on a home, with Jefferson County among the hardest hit areas that night.

Neither report mentions chimneys, so we are not saying those storms damaged any. They are examples of the kind of weather the area gets. Hail, wind and driving rain all hit the top of a chimney first.

Signs of trouble

A repair guide lists these as signs of water damage:

• Leaks, especially near the roofline
• Rotted wood around the chimney
• Cracked or crumbling brick or mortar
• Mortar that wears away over time
• Damaged or cracked caps and crowns after storms
• Water seeping through damaged flashing

Inside the house, a stain on a ceiling or wall near the fireplace, a damp smell, or dampness in the firebox after rain are reasons to call. None of these prove the chimney is the cause, because roofs, gutters and windows leak too, but a provider can narrow it down.

What an inspection after a storm looks like

One inspection guide describes a Level 2 inspection as the one used after a significant storm or environmental event. It uses a camera and checks from the roof and from the opening of the flue. The prices for each inspection level are in our Topeka cost guide. A simple look from the roof may be enough for some problems, so ask the provider which makes sense. Quotes vary, and a provider who sees the job gives the real number.

Typical repair ranges

Repair costs for crowns, caps, flashing and masonry are in our Topeka cost guide. They run from about $100 for a small cap repair to several thousand dollars for a crown replacement or rebuild, depending on the guide.

A small repair now is usually cheaper than the damage that can follow, but we do not have a figure for that, so ask the provider what they expect if you wait.

Older masonry in Topeka

Topeka has historic neighborhoods with brick houses. Potwin Place, for example, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for brick lined streets and Victorian and Queen Anne style homes. The land was bought in 1869, divided into lots in 1882 and annexed into Topeka in 1899. That says nothing about the condition of any chimney there. It is a reminder that old mortar and old crowns are exposed to many decades of weather, and a provider may suggest repointing or a new crown when they find wear. Ask for photos of what they see.

Safety and sequence

1. Do not climb on a roof after a storm. Wet shingles, loose materials and damaged chimneys are a fall hazard.
2. Stay clear of a damaged chimney. If bricks are loose or leaning, keep people away from the area below and call a provider.
3. Do not use the fireplace until it has been checked if you suspect storm damage. A cracked liner or blocked flue can send smoke or carbon monoxide into the house. Make sure the house has working carbon monoxide alarms in the meantime.
4. Take photos from the ground and write down the date of the storm. That helps with an insurance claim and with the provider.
5. Get the scope in writing. Ask what will be repaired, what materials will be used and what the price covers.

Questions for a provider

• Which part is damaged: cap, crown, flashing, mortar or liner?
• Can you show me photos or camera footage?
• Is this a repair or a replacement, and why?
• What happens if I wait until spring?
• Will the work be written up so I can send it to my insurer?

Request a quote

If a storm has gone through, or you see a stain near the chimney, request a quote through this site. An independent provider near Topeka can look at the chimney and tell you what it needs. It is free and there is no obligation to hire anyone.