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.
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AfterOlympia Chimney Chimney Cap & Crown in Boston: What to Know First
We provide independent Olympia Chimney chimney cap & crown service across Boston, from the triple-deckers in Dorchester to the old brownstones near Back Bay. Most Olympia Chimney cap installations and crown repairs are completed in a single visit, with no-hassle upfront pricing agreed before we start. You’ll know the full cost before we touch a tool.
This page is for homeowners who already have an Olympia Chimney product installed and need cap or crown work done right the first time. If your cap is rusted through, your crown is cracked, or you’re not sure which problem you have, call us at (857) 597-5950. A live person answers, 24 hours a day.
How Olympia Chimney Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Olympia Chimney 304 stainless single-flue caps: The mesh on these caps is 18-gauge, which holds up well to Boston’s salt air but can clog with creosote if the flue is oversized for the fireplace. We see this in South End condos where a 304 cap was spec’d for a 13×13 flue serving a small gas insert. The fix isn’t a bigger cap - it’s matching the cap to actual flue size and adding a pull-ring for seasonal removal and cleaning.
- Olympia Chimney multi-flue caps (galvanized or stainless):strong> The cross-break design sheds water fine until the mounting brackets fatigue from freeze-thaw cycling. In Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, where roofs hold snow longer, we’ve found brackets sheared at the bolt holes after five to seven winters. We replace with upgraded stainless strap anchors and add a drip edge that Olympia’s standard design omits.
- Olympia Chimney wind-directional caps: The rotating hood seizes when pivot bearings pack with soot and moisture. Boston’s nor’easter-driven rain drives particulate into the bearing race. We disassemble, clean the race with a parts washer, repack with high-temp bearing grease rated to 600°F, or replace with a sealed-bearing aftermarket equivalent if the OEM race is pitted.
- Olympia Chimney crown wash (factory-applied on some pre-fab chimney systems): This cementitious layer is thin, typically 3/8-inch, and shrinks away from the flue tile in cold weather. We’ve peeled failed crown wash off units in Cambridge and Somerville that were installed just three years prior. We grind to sound substrate and apply a proper crown coat at 1.5-inch minimum thickness with expansion joints around each flue.
- Olympia Chimney chase covers on manufactured chimneys: The stamped galvanized steel versions develop diagonal crease cracks at the corners where the pan folds. Water follows the crease into the chase, rotting the framing. We fabricate a replacement from 24-gauge stainless with welded corners - no folds, no creases, no path for water.
Our Olympia Chimney Chimney Cap & Crown Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, asks what you’re seeing, and books a visit. No app, no callback queue.
- 2
Level-2 camera inspection. Our technician runs a camera the full length of the flue, photographs the cap or crown from the roof, and shows you the images on-site. You see what we see.
- 3
Parts decision. If your cap is a current Olympia Chimney model, we source OEM. If the line is discontinued - the galvanized multi-flue series was phased out in 2019 - we spec a quality aftermarket equivalent from Gelco or Famco that matches or exceeds the original gauge and mesh spec. We explain the trade-off and let you decide.
- 4
The repair. For crowns, we grind, form, and pour; for caps, we remove the failed unit, inspect the flue tile for hidden damage, and install the replacement with proper clearances. Most jobs finish in one visit.
- 5
Test and document. We run a smoke test or camera pass to confirm the cap vents properly and the crown sheds water. Photos go in your file.
- 6
Written guarantee. The 90-Day Done Right Promise: in writing, no arguing. If it’s not right, we come back.
What Olympia Chimney Chimney Cap & Crown Costs in Boston
These are real ranges for Olympia Chimney jobs we’ve completed in the Boston market. Your exact quote depends on roof access, flue count, and whether we find hidden damage once the old cap is off.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Olympia Chimney single-flue cap replacement (OEM) | $340 - $520 |
| Olympia Chimney multi-flue cap replacement | $580 - $890 |
| Crown repair / recoat (per flue) | $420 - $680 |
| Crown rebuild (form and pour) | $1,200 - $2,400 |
| Chase cover replacement (stainless, welded) | $780 - $1,450 |
| Wind-directional cap bearing service | $180 - $290 |
What moves the price: steep roof pitch requiring additional safety rigging, multiple flues, discovery of deteriorated flue tile beneath the cap, and custom fabrication for non-standard chase dimensions. We quote the full number before booking. Call (857) 597-5950 for your free estimate.
Why Boston Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Olympia Chimney Work
We’ve been serving Boston-area communities for over 42 years. Russell Haines learned the trade at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, where the instructors had no patience for shortcuts, and that foundation still governs how we work.
Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and trained on Olympia Chimney’s product line specifically - but we also carry DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Gelco materials, so we’re never stuck waiting on a single-source part when you have water coming through the ceiling. Every inspection ends with photos you can see and a plain-English verdict. The 90-Day Done Right Promise is in writing with no arguing. A square deal: no surprises on the bill.
If the chimney’s doing its job, you won’t notice it. You hire us so it stays that way.
FAQs
No. As an independent Olympia Chimney service provider, we use OEM or equivalent parts and document our work. Manufacturer warranties on chimney caps and crowns are typically limited to defects in materials, not installation, and are not contingent on authorized service networks. We keep photos and invoices in your file in case you ever need to make a claim.
Yes, for most models. Current 304 stainless and wind-directional lines are readily available. For discontinued galvanized multi-flue caps, we source dimensionally matched replacements from Gelco or Famco in equal or heavier gauge. We never install a cap we can’t stand behind.
If cracks are hairline and confined to the surface, a professional crown coat can add 10-15 years of service. If cracks run through the full thickness, if the crown has separated from the flue tile, or if there is exposed aggregate, we recommend a full rebuild. We show you the camera images and explain which category you’re in before quoting either option.
Most jobs are scheduled within a few days and completed in a single visit. We stock common Olympia Chimney cap sizes and carry Gelco and Famco equivalents for discontinued lines. If custom fabrication is needed for a chase cover, we typically return within one week with the welded unit.
Water enters through cracks, freezes, and expands. Each cycle widens the crack and accelerates spalling of the concrete. In Boston, where freeze-thaw runs from November through March, a crown that could have been coated in September often requires a full rebuild by April. Call (857) 597-5950 for a free inspection - we’ll tell you honestly whether it can wait.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Boston and nearby areas.