SmokTite vs. RainTite

Relaxing beside a warm, cozy fireplace, listening to the soothing crackle with the sweet, aromatic scent of maple wood in the air on a chilly, snowy morning, is the quintessential winter experience. As we stay warm and cozy inside, it is easy to forget the exposure to the elements our chimneys endure day after day, year after year. From snow and ice in the winter to frequent rain and humidity in the summer, masonry chimneys are in a constant battle for survival. To help ensure your chimney and fireplace stand the test of time, there’s SmokTite® and RainTite®.

What is SmokTite®?

SmokTite® is a highly specialized, ceramic coating explicitly designed to seal and restore the smoke chamber—the critical area of your chimney located between the damper and the flue.

When the smoke chamber has cracks, excessive creosote, or debris, it can create turbulence that pushes smoke back into your home. SmokTite® is a professional spray-on coating that parges the smoke chamber, creating a smooth, seamless, and heat-resistant surface that can withstand temperatures up to 2,290°F. The smooth surface allows the smoke chamber to compress the smoke and toxic gases, so they efficiently rise through the flue and exit the building at the top of the stack.

When to Apply SmokTite® to Your Smoke Chamber

SmokTite® is typically applied when a certified chimney professional determines the smoke chamber needs parging or repair:

• During a chimney inspection, a chimney sweep identifies holes, cracks, or missing mortar joints in the smoke chamber walls.
• Following a Chimney Fire to seal any structural damage or vulnerabilities caused by extreme heat.
• When Smoke Back-Puffs or your fireplace has drafting issues, parging the chamber helps air flow more efficiently.
• In Older Homes where smoke chambers are constructed with corbeled brick, parging the smoke chamber with SmokeTite® smooths its jagged edges, which can attract flammable creosote, in compliance with current fire codes.

Five Common Chimney Problems:

SmokeTite® and RainTite® can help prevent several common problems, including:

1. Spalling Bricks: When water enters bricks and freezes, causing the faces of the bricks to pop off or crumble. Applying RainTite® to exterior brickwork can help prevent flaking, cracking, and crumbling.
2. Mortar Deterioration: The joints between bricks “wash” away, leading to structural instability and water leaks. RainTite® is an effective water-resistant barrier that helps protect mortar joints.
3. Creosote Buildup: A highly flammable byproduct of wood burning that adheres to the jagged edges of a corbeled brick smoke chamber. Parging the smoke chamber with SmokTite® reduces the risk of fire and exposure to harmful carbon monoxide exhaust.
4. Efflorescence: Unsightly white, powdery salt deposits on the chimney’s exterior indicate that the brick and mortar are absorbing moisture. Applying RainTite® can help prevent future water damage.
5. Corroded Dampers: Moisture entering from the top of the chimney can rust the damper, making it difficult to open or close. Since RainTite® bonds within the masonry’s pores, it protects the brickwork from moisture intrusion from the inside out.

What is RainTite®?

Think of RainTite® as your chimney’s invisible shield. It is a professional-grade silane-siloxane water repellent that penetrates deep into the masonry. It creates a vapor-permeable membrane that allows trapped moisture within the brickwork to evaporate while locking out rain, snow, ice, and UV rays.

Benefits of RainTite®

RainTite offers several valuable benefits, including:

• Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage: By keeping water out of the brick’s pores, it prevents the expansion and contraction that can lead to structural failures.
• Eliminates Efflorescence: Its ability to bond to the masonry prevents moisture intrusion that causes white stains on your chimney.
• Invisible Protection: It does not change the look or color of your brick; there is no glossy film.
• Long-Term Savings: Applying RainTite® can prevent costly water-damage-related rebuilds to your chimney.

Protect Your Chimney with SmokTite® and RainTite®

Approved Industries offers innovative, advanced ceramic coatings and thermal protective systems that make sealing and protecting your masonry chimney, both inside and out, easy and affordable. Our specialty products, SmokeTite® and RainTite®, are available exclusively for use by approved chimney and fireplace professionals. Visit our website to find a certified installer near you and to explore our full range of advanced ceramic coatings.