Chimney Drip Edge Repair

[loilfan]

Hello,

I had an inspection done on my chimney/wood fireplace this year. The inspector pointed out that the bricks at the top of the chimney below the cap is starting to wear away from freezing.

The chimney doesn't have a drip edge. He gave me a quote for $800 to repair but I am looking at cheaper options.

I had two ideas on what to do:
Option 1
Use an angle grinder and a disc suitable to cut concrete to cut a 1/4" deep line on the underside of the cap 2" away from the edge all the way around.

Option 2
Get some mortar and install a small lip 2" away from the edge all the way around.

Option 2 likely works better but would not last very long. Any other ideas or comments?

 

[Woody Stover]

How about a bead of caulk or mortar patch? This stuff is polyurethane, so get a fresh one...

 

[bholler]

Cut the groove then repair the damaged mortar. Our forms dont have a drip edge on them so we always cut a groove after we pull them and it have worked well for years

 

[loilfan]

Woody Stover, does that product work on the underside of the cap? Will it bond and set properly?

bholler, how do you cut the groove?

 

[webby3650]

That crown looks like it was cast at a much later date than the chimney was built. Unless that's limeston rather than cement. Do you know it's history? That could be old damage.

 

[loilfan]

I just know that it was a later add-on from the original construction, but that's it.

 

[bholler]

bholler, how do you cut the groove?

An angle grinder with a 1/4" wide blade in it you only have to cut 3/8" deep of so