Sammamish — Cracked Crown, Rusted Cap and Failing Flashing
The crown had split and moss had settled into the crack. The clay flue sat open to the weather and the flashing had reached the end of its life. All three were put right in one visit.
The Challenge
A crown is meant to throw water outward, clear of the flue. This one had cracked across its width and moss had taken the split — and moss holds damp against masonry, which is how a hairline crack becomes a broken crown over a few Sammamish winters. The clay flue liner stood open at the top with nothing over it, so rain, debris and animals had a direct path down. The galvanised flashing at the roof junction was corroding at the seams.
Our Solution
The damaged crown material was removed and the crown rebuilt with a proper outward slope and a clean drip edge, sealed at the crown-to-flue junction. A stainless steel cap with mesh screen was fitted over the clay flue. New flashing was formed and sealed along the full roof junction, both sides.
The Result
Water now leaves the chimney at the crown instead of soaking into it, the flue is closed to rain and animals, and the roof junction is watertight. Quoted and approved 13 August 2026.