Expert: James Ball - 3/31/2010

Question
Hi James,

We live in the Pacific Northwest and have a concrete brick fireplace (circa 1953). We had water seeping into the chimney's brickwork on top of the roof but have since applied two coats of sealant. We recently removed the drywall inside the house surrounding the fireplace and have noticed what appears to be a white, soft cotton-like mold / effluent(?) growing rapidly from the bricks and mortar. What is this & what should we do?  Thanks much.

Answer
Hello Bruce, that sounds like it is lime leaching out of the brick and mortar, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, (there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James