Masonry repair
Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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.
Gelco Crown Repair: The Orlando Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Gelco-compatible chimney crown repair products across Orlando, with most crown repairs running between $450 and $1,100 installed depending on crown condition and access. If your crown is cracked, spalling, or pulling away from the flue, we can usually assess it the same week and complete the repair in a single visit. Most Orlando homeowners discover a failing Gelco crown the hard way: a water stain appears on the ceiling near the fireplace, or they notice small pieces of concrete in the firebox after a heavy Florida rain. The crown is the concrete cap at the very top of the chimney, and when it fails, water gets where it shouldn’t. Danny Cortes has seen it enough times in the Dr. Phillips area to say it plainly: a cracked crown rarely announces itself until the damage is already underway.
Which Gelco Models This Applies To
Gelco manufactures prefabricated chimney crowns and termination caps used across a range of pre-fab fireplace systems, and the crown repair products we work with are sized to match those systems specifically. The compatibility gotcha most Orlando owners run into is this: Gelco crowns are engineered for particular flue diameters and chase top dimensions, and a “close enough” generic crown will leave gaps that leak the first time a summer thunderstorm rolls through. We verify the flue inside diameter and chase opening measurements before ordering or cutting anything, because an eighth of an inch off means the crown won’t seat correctly against the flue pipe. For Gelco systems, we typically recommend Gelco-compatible repair components or OEM Gelco parts when they’re still available for your series. There are quality aftermarket equivalents that perform well, but only when the measurements match exactly. If you have the original install paperwork, the model plate on the fireplace will list the Gelco series number; if the plate is gone, we measure on site and match from there.
Styles & brands we work with





Signs Your Gelco Crown Repair Is Failing
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the fireplace. This almost always means water is entering through the crown and working its way down the chase. In Orlando’s rainy season, this shows up fast once the crown develops even a hairline crack.
- Concrete chips or grit in the firebox. The crown is literally breaking apart above the flue, and pieces fall down through the pipe. If you see sand-like debris on the firebox floor that wasn’t there before, the crown is spalling.
- Visible cracks when looking down from a ladder or the roof line. Florida’s heat and humidity expand and contract the crown every single day, and those micro-movements eventually turn into cracks. If you can see a crack from the ground, it’s past the point of ignoring.
- Rust staining on the chase or around the cap. Water getting past the crown hits metal components below, and rust is the result. This often shows up as orange-brown streaks on the sides of the chase top.
- Musty smell or damp framing in the attic near the chase. A failed crown lets water soak the framing around the chimney over time. By the time it smells, the leak has been active for months.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
In Orlando, a Gelco-compatible crown repair or replacement typically runs $450 to $1,100 installed. The range depends on what we find once we’re up there: whether the crown needs a full replacement or can be sealed and resurfaced, the chase dimensions, and how much prep work the damaged area requires. Here’s how that breaks down:
| Work | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Crown inspection and measurement | $75 – $150 (waived if we do the repair) |
| Crack sealing and resurfacing | $350 – $600 |
| Full Gelco-compatible crown replacement | $600 – $1,100 |
Every quote includes the written price before any work starts, the Gelco-compatible crown material, mortar or sealant as needed, and the install labor. We also photograph the crown before and after so you can see exactly what changed up there. The work is covered by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not right, we make it right.
DIY or Call Us?
You can safely check a few things from the ground: look for visible cracking or spalling on the crown, check the firebox for debris, and note any water stains inside. What we don’t recommend is getting on the roof to repair a crown yourself. This is roof-height work over an open flue, often on a wet or sloped surface, and the risk of a fall is real. The crown also has to be formed and sealed to exact measurements against the flue pipe, and a bad seal just hands you the same leak again in six months. Every Orlando crown repair we do starts with an inspection that tells us whether the crown can be saved or needs replacement, and you get that written price before you commit to anything. Call us at (850) 940-3442 and we’ll schedule it.
FAQs
A properly installed Gelco-compatible crown repair in Orlando typically lasts 10 to 20 years, depending on sun exposure and how well the original chase was built. Florida’s UV and rain cycles are harder on crowns than almost any climate, which is why we use materials formulated to hold up in exactly this weather. Call (850) 940-3442 for a crown inspection and we’ll tell you honestly what condition yours is in.
Yes, if the cracking is surface-level and the crown is still structurally sound, we can seal and resurface it rather than replace it, which usually runs $350 to $600. If the crown is pulling away from the flue or crumbling in sections, replacement is the honest call. The inspection determines which route makes sense, and you see the photos before you decide.
Most Gelco crown repairs in the Orlando area are completed in a single visit of 3 to 5 hours, depending on whether we’re sealing or replacing and how much prep the crown needs. Weather can shift scheduling in summer, but we’ll confirm the window when you book.
We keep Gelco-compatible crown repair materials and common cap sizes stocked for Orlando service calls, along with parts for DuraFlex and HeatShield systems. For unusual chase dimensions or older Gelco series, we can usually source OEM parts within a few days. Call (850) 940-3442 and we can confirm stock for your model during the first call.
Written by Danny Cortes, Owner, Kindling Chimney Orlando at Kindling Chimney Orlando, serving Orlando and nearby areas.