Causes Of Humidity In Your Chimney

Chimneys appear to be robust structures, but they are vulnerable to moisture like Superman is to kryptonite. Did you know that even humidity and your chimney are a bad combination? Any number of issues may create a humid environment inside your chimney. The possible effects of humidity include mold growth and a stinky fireplace. Nothing to worry about, though, if you live in or around New Jersey because Mercer County Chimney has trained and qualified experts to meet all your chimney needs.

What Causes Humidity in Chimneys?

Keeping water out of chimney masonry and flue liners requires diligence! Every component of a chimney stack needs to be in a state of good repair, including the white chimney crown at the top of the chimney, the mortar between bricks, and the masonry. The first line of defense against moisture is a chimney cap, which prevents rain and other types of precipitation from falling directly down the chimney flue. If you request waterproofing for a healthy chimney, it will provide even greater protection against moisture intrusion.

Fire safety experts and chimney sweeps everywhere recommend annual chimney inspections for all chimneys, even those not in use. With an inspection, a chimney pro can spot early signs of potential moisture intrusion. Without inspections and ongoing maintenance, chimney leaks are sure to occur eventually. Whether the water gets in through damaged chimney flashing, deteriorating mortar, a cracked chimney crown, or in some other way, one of the results is humidity in the chimney.

Humidity and Mold in Your Chimney

Mold thrives in humid environments. A dark, damp chimney flue provides the perfect conditions for mold growth. Mold growing in your chimney can be hazardous to your health. A musty odor coming through the fireplace is typically one of the early signs that mold is growing inside the flue.
Because the substance can cause serious medical conditions, such as respiratory problems, mold should not be ignored. Call trusted chimney technicians for help with mold in your chimney. It is a dangerous substance to deal with, and you should leave it to experts.
The cause of mold needs to be dealt with, of course. Qualified chimney sweeps are also the ones who can identify the source of humidity in your chimney. They can fix leaky chimneys or whatever it was that resulted in mold growth.

Creosote and Humidity in Your Chimney

Wood-burning is what results in layers of sooty buildup of creosote in chimneys. The toxic substance can cause all kinds of problems, including chimney fires and blocked chimneys, both of which are highly dangerous.
Humid conditions in a chimney containing creosote can result in the accelerated deterioration of the chimney flue liner. If there is even a small crack in the chimney liner, flue liner repair or replacement is needed before using the fireplace again. Otherwise, potential dangers are multiplied!

Schedule a Chimney Inspection with the Pros

Do you have cause for concern about humidity in your chimney? At Mercer County Chimney, our team of CSIA-certified chimney technicians can be compared to superheroes because they stand ready to protect you against dangers associated with chimneys, including mold. People often identify a moldy smell in their fireplace during the off-season. Summer is the best time to schedule chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, masonry repairs, flue liner replacements, chimney cap repair, fireplace installation, chimney leak repair, and all other chimney services. Call us today at (609) 802-5288 or contact us online.