Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterDuraFlex Crown Repair: The Bethlehem Owner’s Guide
DuraFlex crown repair in Bethlehem typically runs $380-$720 installed, depending on whether the chase top needs full replacement or targeted sealing. We stock DuraFlex-compatible crown repair components on every truck, and most Bethlehem jobs are completed in a single visit. Most owners discover the problem during the first hard rain of fall, when water starts finding its way past a cracked or rusted crown and into the chase.
Which DuraFlex Models This Applies To
DuraFlex crowns and chase tops are found across several product lines, and matching the right repair part matters. The DuraFlex SW (stainless wall) and DuraFlex HT (high temperature) series use slightly different crown profiles and fastener spacing, so a chase top from one won’t necessarily seat flat on the other. Look for the stamped model tag on the chase itself, usually visible from the roofline, or measure the chase width and corner radius if the tag’s weathered off.
We carry both OEM DuraFlex replacement crowns and quality aftermarket equivalents from Copperfield and Famco. The aftermarket options match spec and carry the same 10-year material warranty, though we default to OEM when the chase is still under factory coverage. If your DuraFlex system was installed before 2015, check whether you’ve got the original galvanized crown or the upgraded stainless version, Bethlehem’s freeze-thaw cycles chewed through a lot of the earlier galvanized units up around the South Side’s tighter rooflines.
Signs Your DuraFlex Crown Repair Is Failing
- Water staining on the ceiling near the chimney chase. The crown’s primary job is shedding water away from the chase opening. Once the seal fails or the metal rusts through, water follows the flue pipe down and finds the path of least resistance, usually a ceiling joint in the room below.
- Rust streaks running down the exterior chase siding. Those orange-brown trails mean water is getting behind the crown and washing rust from the chase cap or top flashing down the face. On DuraFlex systems, this often starts at the corner welds where the crown meets the drip edge.
- Visible cracks or separation in the crown sealant. DuraFlex crowns rely on a flexible sealant bead where the metal meets the chase top. After five to seven Pennsylvania winters, that sealant hardens and shrinks, opening a gap that widens with every freeze cycle.
- The chase top is visibly sagging or dented. Snow load, falling branches, or a previous homeowner stepping where they shouldn’t have can deform the crown enough to break its pitch. Water pools instead of running off, and pooling water always wins.
- Musty smell from the fireplace or stove area after rain. This means water is inside the chase, saturating the insulation around the DuraFlex liner. Left alone, it compromises the liner’s draft performance and can accelerate corrosion at the collar connection.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| DuraFlex crown reseal (sealant replacement, inspection) | $380-$490 |
| DuraFlex crown replacement, standard chase (parts + labor) | $520-$720 |
| Crown replacement with chase top repair (rust damage, flashing work) | $680-$890 |
What drives the range: chase height and roof pitch affect labor time, whether the existing fasteners are seized or stripped, and if the underlying chase top needs patching or replacement. Our estimate includes the Level-2 camera inspection, photos you can see, removal and disposal of the old crown, installation of the new DuraFlex-compatible unit with fresh sealant and fasteners, and a plain-English verdict on the rest of the system. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers the work in writing, no arguing. We also honor our standing 5% Senior and Veteran discount, and right now there’s $50 off any repair over $250.
DIY or Call Us?
There’s a safe middle ground here. A homeowner can check the crown from the ground with binoculars for obvious rust, sagging, or missing sealant. You can also sniff for mustiness after rain and check the ceiling for new stains. What you shouldn’t do is climb onto a steep roof to inspect or attempt replacement yourself. The crown sits at the highest point of the chase, often on a pitch that wasn’t designed for foot traffic, and working around a live flue with combustion gases present is not a weekend project.
We’ve rescued a fair number of DIY attempts in Bethlehem, usually after someone realized the DuraFlex crown’s corner radius didn’t match the generic replacement they bought online, or they stripped the fasteners trying to seat it. If it needs doing, we’ll tell you. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too. Call (610) 595-5754 and we’ll walk through what you’re seeing.
FAQs
A properly installed DuraFlex stainless crown lasts 15-20 years in the Lehigh Valley, though the sealant bead needs inspection every 3-5 years. Bethlehem’s freeze-thaw cycles and the occasional ice storm shorten that if maintenance gets skipped. Call (610) 595-5754 for a free inspection and we’ll tell you exactly where yours stands.
Resealing is viable if the crown metal itself is sound, no rust has pitted through, and the shape still sheds water. Once there’s perforation or significant deformation, replacement is the only fix that lasts. We document either recommendation with photos so you can see the difference yourself.
Most DuraFlex crown replacements take 90 minutes to two hours from ladder set to final photo. We stock the common sizes on every truck, so there’s no waiting on parts. You’ll get the photos and written report before we pack up.
We stock DuraFlex-compatible crowns, chase tops, and sealants on every service vehicle, along with HeatShield and Gelco equivalents for mixed systems. Hearthstone Chimney Co. is an independent service provider, not affiliated with DuraFlex, but we’ve been installing and repairing their products long enough to know which part fits which chase without a catalog hunt.
Get It Done Right
We’ve been the crew Bethlehem homeowners call for over 42 years, from the historic Hill-to-Hill district’s tight brick stacks to the newer construction out toward Hanover Township. Russell Haines and our background-checked, uniformed technicians show up when we say, explain what we found in plain terms, and don’t recommend work that doesn’t need doing. Every job gets the 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing, and a live person answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (610) 595-5754 for a free estimate on your DuraFlex crown repair.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Bethlehem and nearby areas.