If you\u2019ve noticed a crystallized white substance or a whitish (or even brown, yellow, or green) powder around your chimney, you\u2019re not alone. This is a common experience for homeowners with masonry chimneys, especially very old ones. And the substance itself can generally clear away just by brushing it, or it may even clear away on its own as the weather changes.<\/p>\n
Many people assume that the white deposits happen naturally as chimneys age, especially since a simple cleaning often clears it away. But you should know that efflorescence, <\/em>the name for this occurrence, indicates a much larger issue with the structure of the chimney.<\/p>\n The masonry that makes up your chimney naturally has salt particles within it. If water moves through the structure, the salt particles can dissolve. As water then evaporates outside of the walls, it can leave behind a salty residue, called efflorescence.<\/p>\n The main concern with efflorescence is that the amount of water required for efflorescence to show on the outside of your chimney should not be able to get through the structure in the first place. Water is one of the biggest threats to a chimney, according to the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America).<\/p>\n Water penetration brings to light problems with the structural integrity of the chimney, problems that will only worsen if you don\u2019t take the proper steps to waterproof the chimney. These structural damages can result in a fire hazard, as fire is more likely to spread to the outside of the home if the chimney is not sound.<\/p>\nHow does it happen?<\/h3>\n
The problem with water<\/h3>\n
Call a chimney expert<\/h3>\n