Today’s pre-fabricated fireplaces have a metal covering at the top of the chimney chase to prevent water from entering the flue. The chase top is usually made of cheap galvanized sheet metal. Over, the years the metal coating is eroded by the sun’s UV rays, rain, expansion and contraction.

A proper installation has the sheet metal sloping to the sides of the chase. Sometimes the flue collar underneath the cover isn’t installed high enough or the weight of the flue moves downward creating a depression in the cover.

The next time that it rains, standing water accumulates around the flue as shown in the photo. Many times you’ll see rust streaks on the sides of the chimney chase… This is your first clue that a chimney specialist should take a look.

The second clue is when you hear dripping water inside the house coming from the fireplace. A good home inspector will note a rusted chase cover and/or water streaks in the firebox or at the damper. Rest assured that a Pacific Coast Inspections inspector will identify this condition.

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