As the weather gets colder and you prepare to use your fireplace for the first time of the season, your first step should be to check for mold. Mold growth is not as well-known of a chimney problem as creosote buildup, but it should concern you just as much. Know how to recognize and address this issue.

The Signs of Mold

Mold typically grows inside the chimney, where it's tough to see. It can quickly spread through a room as the spores are released into the air, so any visible mold in other parts of the room could indicate there’s some hidden inside your chimney. Also, look for any water leaking around the fireplace since mold often accompanies moisture. It will also release a musty odor into the room, which becomes stronger as you get closer to the fireplace.

The Causes

Your fireplace sits unused for many months at a time, and it goes unused for at least half of the year for most homeowners. This makes it the perfect location for mold to grow. It’s dark, poorly ventilated, and only cleaned occasionally. It’s also typically damp from the humidity in the air, leaking plumbing, or rainfall coming down the chimney. It will grow more quickly if you live in a high humidity climate and if the room doesn’t get much airflow.

The Issues It Can Cause

Chimney mold can cause respiratory health issues for your family. You’ll disturb the mold spores as you use the fireplace. As people breathe them in, the spores will cause issues in the lungs.

Common problems include congestion, headaches, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and throat irritation. It could be particularly problematic for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.

 

The professionals at The Chimney Sweep will help you prepare your fireplace for safe and healthy use. Former firefighter Terry Osborne is based in Kernersville, NC, and offers chimney maintenance and repairs. He and his team will install chimney caps to prevent water leaks and clean out the mold. Learn more about what they do on their website and call (336) 993-8999 to have them inspect your chimney for problems.