Efflorescence Chimney Attic

The moisture picks up minerals carries them to the surface of the masonry and leaves them behind in the form of tiny crystals on the surface as the moisture evaporates.

Efflorescence chimney attic.

The efflorescence is evidence that your chimney is regularly wet. It has a white or greyish tint and consists of salt deposits left behind when water evaporates. A chimney sweep has chemical mixes designed specially for taking care of this problem. Most of the time the rain will wash it away but sometimes it is necessary to remove tougher stains.

The moisture which creates deposits on the chimney also adds moisture in the attic. When the moisture evaporates minerals that had been dissolved in the water are left behind as a visible sign of the evaporation. You can simply brush them away. Premature deterioration of the masonry structure is occurring.

If efflorescence is visible on your chimney it s safe to assume that there is more going on than staining. Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that can form when water is present in or on brick concrete stone stucco or other building surfaces. The efflorescence is formed when the chimney structure cracks has not been properly sealed or is missing a cap or other sealant. Efflorescence occurs when moisture moves through concrete or other masonry.

Older furnaces required more chimney area due to their high rate of heat loss through the chimney and lower efficiency. This allows rain water to seep into the brick or stone walls. There are two possible sources of the moisture. Cleaning efflorescence although rarely harmful efflorescence can still be unsightly on a chimney.

As water moves through the wall it dissolves salt particles naturally present in the masonry along the way.