Chimney crown cracking is one of the more common observations made when inspecting a home with a chimney. These cracks can cause moisture intrusion and also cause the chimney to deteriorate. Often there is a leak observed at the interior, and often there are damaged brick.
A chimney crown should ideally be made of concrete or metal, but, more often than not, they will be built out of mortar. The problem is that mortar was not meant to be installed in this manner. Because of this, failure is common. When the mortar fails, moisture intrusion is often the result. Since chimneys are places to access, this condition often goes unnoticed and, therefore, will continue uncorrected for a long time. In the picture, you can see where damage had occurred; some repair attempts to seal were made, but the failure continued.
Tending to these failures early is important and may save you lots of money in the long run. This is a good article talking about repairs. Having your chimney inspected before purchasing your home is a good idea and a must if you plan to use the chimney. Some general observations will be made during a home inspection. If you are selling your home, here is some helpful information.Â