Chimney Rain Pan

Keep Water Out of Your Chimney Chase

The rain pan is the metal cover on top of a factory-built chimney chase. When it rusts or sags, water goes straight into the chase.

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If your home has a prefabricated fireplace, the chimney you see on the roof is usually a wood-framed box (the chase) covered in siding, with a metal chimney pipe running up the middle. The top of that box is covered by a metal pan with an opening for the chimney pipe. That pan is the rain pan, also known as a chase cover, chase pan, or chase top. Its job is simple and important: keep rain, snow, and debris out of the chase.

Rain pans are most common on factory-built chimneys, though some homeowners also put a metal cover over a masonry chimney. A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps is a licensed and insured chimney company that inspects, installs, and replaces rain pans. For more about the same part, see our chimney chase cover page.

Rusty or Leaking Rain Pan?

Call our team or request a free estimate. We’ll measure your chase and recommend the right replacement.

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How a Rain Pan Works

The inside of a prefab chimney chase is mostly wood framing and insulation, which isn’t built to get wet. The rain pan works like a roof for the chase. A well-made pan is sloped or crowned so water runs off instead of sitting on top, has a skirt that wraps down over the outside of the chase with a drip edge, and has a raised collar around the flue opening so water can’t run down the hole. The chimney cap and storm collar then seal the pipe itself.

Flat pans are a common problem. Water sits in the middle, the metal rusts, and eventually small holes let water drip straight into the chase.

Signs Your Rain Pan Needs Replacement

Rust stains running down the siding of the chase
Standing water or a sagging dip in the middle of the pan
Visible rust spots or holes in the pan
Water in the firebox or on the fireplace doors after rain
Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the fireplace
Warped or rotting siding or trim near the top of the chase
A musty smell coming from the fireplace
Animals or birds getting into the chase

Our Rain Pan Service

1. Inspect. We look at the pan, the chimney cap, the storm collar, the chimney pipe, and the top of the chase framing and siding. If water has been getting in for a while, we check for rot or damage that should be repaired before a new pan goes on.

2. Measure. Chases aren’t a standard size, so we measure your chase and the position of the flue for a proper fit.

3. Choose the material. Rain pans are commonly made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper. Stainless steel and copper resist rust better, and we’ll explain the trade-offs for your home.

4. Install. We remove the old pan, set the new one with its slope and drip edge, fasten it securely, and seal the flue collar so water can’t get past.

5. Finish the top. We make sure the chimney cap and storm collar are the correct parts for your chimney and are in good condition.

Why a Good Rain Pan Matters

A failing rain pan lets water into a part of the house most people never see. It can rot the chase framing, soak insulation, cause mold, and rust the metal chimney pipe and the top of the fireplace. Water that reaches the firebox can damage the refractory panels and the damper. Replacing a rusted pan early is far easier than repairing a rotted chase later.

Benefits of a Properly Sloped Rain Pan

Sheds water off the chase instead of into it

Protects chase framing and siding from rot

Reduces rust on the chimney pipe and fireplace

Helps keep animals and debris out of the chase

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a rain pan the same as a chase cover?

In most cases, yes. Rain pan, chase cover, chase pan, and chase top are all names for the metal cover on top of a prefab chimney chase.

Do I still need a chimney cap if I have a rain pan?

Yes. The rain pan covers the chase, but the flue opening still needs its own cap to keep rain, animals, and debris out of the chimney pipe. On factory-built chimneys, the cap should be the one listed for that chimney system.

Can a rusty rain pan be painted?

Painting can slow surface rust on a pan that’s otherwise sound, but it won’t fix holes or a flat pan that holds water. Pans that are rusted through or sagging should be replaced.

How do I know if water is coming from the rain pan or the roof?

It can be hard to tell from inside. Rust streaks on the siding, standing water on the pan, and water in the firebox all point to the pan. We inspect the whole top of the chimney and the roof connection to find the real source. See chimney waterproofing and leak repair.

Do you put rain pans on masonry chimneys?

Masonry chimneys normally rely on a chimney crown. Some homeowners add a metal cover over the crown, and we can talk through whether that’s a good fit for your chimney.

Rust streaks on your chase siding? That’s often the first sign the rain pan is failing.

Call (804) 244-6639

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