As a homeowner, there are certain truths that are always worth keeping in mind.
- Small holes in your foundation can lead to rodent troubles.
- Lint build-up in your dryer vents, left unchecked, can lead to a fire hazard.
- Steady moisture from a leak — whether that’s in your roof of your chimney — not only leads to stains and rot, but can quickly lead to mold growth too.
A leak in you chimney can allow molds to grow. Have it waterproofed as soon as possible. If molds have already started breeding, call on us and we’ll clean that out for you.
Water absorption in a chimney can allow mold and mildew staining to accumulate on the exterior of the chimney. The best way to find out for sure whether mold & mildew issues are present on the exterior of your chimney is to have Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps|Bless Your Hearth technicians out to inspect your chimney system, bottom to top. If molds and mildew are present we can clean it off and then protect the chimney with appropriate waterproofing products.
Why You Need To Care About Mold
It’s not exactly news to most of us that mold can be dangerous. Certain kinds of mold allows toxins to get in the air, which have been shown to cause respiratory issues with people exposed to those mold spores — particularly those dealing with respiratory ailments like asthma or allergies. Symptoms that have been linked to mold exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, skin or eye irritation, sometimes fever.
If mold and mildew are growing on the outside of your chimney it’s not likely that you are experiencing these things, but cleaning these deposits off the exterior of your chimney can keep mold and mildew from getting a foothold in your home. This is where Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps|Bless Your Hearth comes in. We can help nip it in the bud.
How Does Mold Get In A Chimney To Begin With?
Mold spores are common just about everywhere, indoors and out. But for those spores to grow on your home’s surfaces — whether that’s on walls, ceilings or on your chimney — they need moisture. So chimney leaks — even if they’re relatively minor — can easily lead to mold growth.
Masonry materials are porous, so they’ll naturally absorb moisture, too. That quality — particularly with older bricks that have become more porous with time — if left unadressed — can draw moisture toward building materials around your chimney, spreading stains, damage and mold and mildew to your walls or ceiling if left unchecked.
What Does It Take To Get Rid Of Chimney Mold?
The first step in ending a mold problem is figuring out where the moisture that’s feeding the mold is getting in. That means inspecting and troubleshooting your chimney system to find the leak or leaks. Our technicians are trained to expertly troubleshoot for these issues. We have the tools and training to help your chimney system effectively fighting off water intrusion.
Leak problems vary from chimney to chimney, but common trouble spots include cracked chimney crowns, rusty or damaged chimney chase covers, missing chimney caps and torn or damaged flashing. Blue Sky technicians can assess and repair all of those issues expertly. We can also help protect and extend the life of your chimney masonry itself, by applying a long-lasting waterproof sealant that prevents the brick from wicking in too much moisture and lessens the gradual wear that comes with the chimney being exposed to the weather.
Chimney mold is a legitimate concern, but it doesn’t have to be a major headache. If you keep up with your annual chimney inspections, Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps|Bless Your Hearth technicians will always be on the lookout for problems that could lead to mold and mildew issues. So if you’re worried that you might have mold & mildew now – usually evident from a strong musty smell or dark stains (sometimes mistaken for soot stains) on the exterior of the chimney – we can help. Just give us a call!