All About Chimney Mold

Do you have a stinky chimney on your hands? Or perhaps you see mold or signs of water damage on or around your chimney? Are you suffering from allergies that you believe may be attributed to chimney mold? Those of us at Young’s Chimney Service see mold accumulate not only inside the chimneys we care for in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas, but also outside them, as well as on the walls and ceilings adjacent to the chimney area.

Chimney mold is a problem that warrants immediate attention from a C.S.I.A.-certified chimney technician rather than a roofer, who may not have the proper tools and training to fully rid a chimney of its mold problems. Most certified chimney experts, including the Young’s Chimney Service team members, will use closed-circuit cameras that allow them—and homeowners—to examine the length of the chimney flue, searching for signs of mold or water damage. If desired, we are also able to use these cameras to show homeowners the finished results once we have completed the job.

Mold is a symptom of water damage and—beyond any mold remediation efforts that need to be made—indicates that your chimney requires some repair work to keep mold from reoccurring in the future. For the record, your chimney should not have water or moisture on the inside. Not only does a wet chimney become a breeding ground for mold, but it also compromises the safety and structural integrity of your chimney.

We often see chimney mold accompanied by masonry problems like spalling or efflorescence, water stains on walls and ceilings, and rusted or otherwise damaged components like dampers or chimney caps. Beyond a good chimney sweeping and the application of an anti-fungal solution to kill the mold, you may also want to consider having your chimney waterproofed, which “seals” the brick and mortar while still allowing it to “breathe.” You may also have a chimney cap or top-sealing damper that needs to be repaired or replaced to operate as intended. Many of these fixes have an added advantage of making your chimney safer and/or more efficient.

Have questions or concerns about chimney mold? We encourage you to give Young’s Chimney Service a call today.