When you think of mold in your home, you automatically think of your basement, as that is typically where it tends to grow in a house, but did you know that mold also grows in your chimney? Not many people realize this; however, cracks in your chimney allow rain water to get in, causing moisture to be trapped. If this moisture is not dried properly, mold will quickly grow and spread throughout your chimney, possibly to the walls and ceiling, causing dangerous health hazards to you and your family. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the best way to prevent the mold problem from ever even occurring is to have regular chimney inspections from a CSIA-certified chimney sweeper and have a waterproofing treatment done to your chimney to keep water from getting in there at all. We at Mr. Smokestack are qualified to protect your chimney from growing mold with our special waterproofing services and can safely clean out any mold you may have, keeping you and your family safe from serious health conditions.
What exactly can mold in your home do to your health?
For some people who already have respiratory problems, breathing in mold spores can be deadly! Even for healthy people, once the mold spores begin spreading through the air, once they are inhaled, you can develop allergy problems, sinus infections, headaches, and throat irritations. So, mold should immediately be removed as soon as it is detected, but how do you know it’s there? A foul, musty odor coming from your fireplace is the first telltale sign, and you can also spot discoloration in your fireplace, ceiling and walls, varying in color from green, black, or white. You might even see a white powdery substance called efflorescence, which isn’t mold but indicates that there are water leaks in your chimney. When you see any discoloration around your fireplace, that is an immediate sign to call Mr. Smokestack today to schedule a chimney inspection so we can check for any mold that may be lurking in your chimney and remove it safely as soon as possible.
How can I prevent mold growth?
After having the mold professionally removed and the cracks repaired in your chimney (or wherever the water was being trapped), you will need to prevent the mold from growing back by taking good care of your chimney by maintaining it regularly. Doing whatever you can to keep water out is the first step to preventing mold regrowth, and doing things like having regular chimney inspections for cracks and flashing damage, installing a properly-fitted chimney cap to protect its flue, and being sure the damper is kept closed when the flue is not in use are all important things you should be doing to ensure no mold is growing in your chimney. However, the most important step you can take to protect your chimney from water damage and mold is to call us at Mr. Smokestack to have one of our professionally-trained technicians apply our 100% breathable water repellant to waterproof your chimney, and you can rest easy knowing every area of your chimney is protected from intruding water, possibly causing hazardous mold. The CSIA certified professionals at Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service in Raleigh, NC can destroy any mold that might be accumulating within your chimney. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Dial 919-747-1859.
