Seasonal Crown Maintenance: Pre-Winter Waterproofing Rituals for Longevity

Like clockwork, shorter days and longer nights mean that winter is just around the corner. And if you live in an area of the country that gets freezing rain and snow (most of us do), then you’re probably used to the yearly ritual of winterizing your home and vehicles. However, it is also essential to include your chimney and crown in your pre-waterproofing rituals for longevity.

Why Waterproof Your Chimney Crown?

The crown is the concrete surface at the top of the chimney that seals the area surrounding the exposed flue pipe, thereby protecting the chimney from water damage. Its sloped design sheds rain and snow away from the flue vent and the bricks below. Due to its height above the roof, the crown is particularly vulnerable to cracking and spalling, especially if the chimney cap is damaged or missing. To prevent small cracks from worsening and causing significant water damage and costly structural repairs, waterproofing your entire masonry structure before winter is a crucial part of your seasonal maintenance.

Seasonal Maintenance: How to Prepare Your Chimney for Winter

Water is the most destructive force against masonry. As chimneys age, the bricks and mortar can become soft, and the porous materials absorb rain and snow like sponges. When this absorbed moisture freezes year after year, it causes the bricks and mortar to crack. Without repair, it could cause bricks to spall and even fall off the chimney, eventually leading to structural failure. 

Preparing your chimney for the freezing, wet conditions of winter will ensure that smoke and harmful contaminants are efficiently expelled from your home:

1. Schedule a Professional Inspection and Cleaning: Before lighting your fireplace for the season, schedule an annual inspection and cleaning by a certified chimney sweep. An inspection ensures the removal of flammable creosote buildup and identifies any hidden structural or liner damage.
2. Make Masonry Repairs: Any damaged masonry must be repaired before waterproofing can be successfully applied. Otherwise, small cracks will only worsen when water freezes during the winter.
3. Check the Cap and Crown: The chimney cap is an essential component for keeping debris and animals out of the flue. The crown, equally important, protects the top of the masonry. Ensure that the cap is secure. If the crown is damaged, it should be repaired with a specialized crown sealant before waterproofing the remainder of the chimney.

Waterproofing Your Chimney and Crown

After all necessary repairs are complete, apply a professional-grade waterproofing sealant to the exterior masonry and crown. Use a repellent, such as Raintite, that creates an invisible, breathable barrier to prevent rain and snow from penetrating the masonry. A certified professional should always perform waterproofing to avoid masonry damage.

Benefits of Using Raintite for Pre-Winter Waterproofing

Raintite is a proprietary, professional-grade water repellent that provides superior protection compared to conventional surface-level sealants. It offers many outstanding benefits for your pre-winter waterproofing ritual:

• Protects the Crown: Raintite can defend both the masonry stack and the vulnerable crown, providing a complete, seamless, and invisible shield against the worst winter weather.
• Vapor Permeable Membrane: As the repellent shields against precipitation, its 100% vapor-permeable membrane allows water vapor (trapped moisture from inside the masonry) to dissipate. This feature allows the chimney to “breathe,” preventing moisture from becoming trapped and causing internal damage when temperatures dip below freezing.
• Masonry Bonding: Raintite penetrates deep into the porous material, chemically bonding with the masonry. This sub-surface barrier is far more durable and longer-lasting than surface-level sealants.
• Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage: By preventing rain and snow from saturating the bricks and mortar, Raintite effectively neutralizes the destructive freeze-thaw process, preventing cracking, spalling, and deterioration throughout the winter.
• Professional Strength: Raintite is applied by factory-certified technicians, giving you peace of mind that your masonry chimney is protected from the elements.

Where to Buy Raintite® for Seasonal Chimney Crown Maintenance and Waterproofing 

Raintite® is a specialty product available exclusively for use by chimney and fireplace professionals to ensure proper application and safety. To protect your masonry chimney and crown from future water damage, contact an Approved Industries certified installer near you to learn more about pre-winter waterproofing with Raintite.