Chimney Chase Covers — Stainless & Copper

What a Chase Cover Does—and Why Leaks Start Here

If you have a factory-built (prefab) fireplace, the “chimney” above the roof is usually a framed box called a chase. On top sits the chase cover—a metal lid that closes the box against weather and supports the pipe and cap collar. Builder-grade lids are often thin galvanized steel with crude seams and low-quality caulk. On Long Island—salt air, Nor’easters, freeze–thaw cycles—those lids rust fast. Pinholes and seam failures let water in, leading to ceiling stains, moldy insulation, swollen trim boards, and streaks down the siding. If you see rust drips on your chase, water is already inside.

DME Maintenance replaces failing lids with custom-fabricated stainless or copper chase covers. We slope the panel to shed water, hem the edges for strength, add cross-breaks to reduce oil-canning, and build a properly sized collar for your flue pipe and cap. We integrate a storm collar and high-temperature sealant that expands and contracts without cracking. The result is a watertight assembly that resists corrosion and wind uplift—and looks clean from the curb.

Stainless vs Copper: Pick the Best Metal for Your Roof

• Stainless steel: The workhorse. Excellent corrosion resistance, ideal for coastal environments, cost-effective, and easy to keep sharp-looking.
• Copper: Premium choice. Extremely durable, naturally patinas from bright to bronze to verdigris. Great match for historic homes and high-visibility roofs.
• Powder-coated options: For certain projects we can color-match trim. We’ll advise on lead times and maintenance.

Not sure which suits your home? We’ll look at roof pitch, exposure, architectural style, and budget. If your top also needs a new chimney cap, we’ll size both together so airflow, screening, and water management work as a system.

How to Spot a Failing Chase Cover

• Rust streaks on the chase face or siding
• Ceiling stains or musty odor near the fireplace wall
• Buckled, warped, or flat lid holding puddles after rain
• Loose, undersized pipe collar or cracked caulk ring
• Animal intrusion if the top has gaps—often leads to a chimney blockage

If you notice any of these, replacement is the cleanest fix. Patching thin galvanized lids rarely lasts through another season of storm cycles.

Our Replacement Process (Built for Long Island Weather)

1. Measure & assess: We document chase dimensions, flue pipe size, roof pitch, and wind exposure. We also check the cap and screening.
2. Fabricate: Your new lid is cut, hemmed, and cross-broken for stiffness. Collars are sized for the flue and cap; we include drip edges to shed water.
3. Install: Old lid is removed; wood top is inspected. We set the new cover with appropriate fasteners and sealants, then add the storm collar and cap assembly.
4. Water test: We verify drainage and check seams. If the chase face or trim is damaged, we can repair on request (see chimney repair).
5. Final checks: Screens clear, cap alignment correct, and pipe clearances confirmed. We review maintenance steps and photo-document the work.

Why Replacement Beats “Caulk & Pray”

Once corrosion starts, seams and corners fail from the inside out. Slapping on more sealant traps moisture and speeds rust. A properly sloped stainless or copper cover with a formed collar, storm collar, and quality sealant solves the problem for good—and protects the fireplace, framing, and interior finishes from ongoing leaks.

Pair With These Services for Best Results

• Chimney caps to keep out rain, animals, and debris while balancing airflow.
• Chimney inspection to verify clearances, venting, and termination integrity.
• Chimney cleaning if soot or creosote is present in the connector or pipe.
• Blockage removal if nests or debris have entered through a failed top.
• Repair & crown work for masonry portions or transition details on hybrid chases.