Chimney & Fireplaces/chimny cleaning

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Expert: - 6/13/2004


Question
bart, i have calcium build up on my chimny. what can i use to clean it off from the stone. what can i put on the chimny to prevent it from coming back? thank u for your help.  joe pendergast

Answer
Joe,

What you actually have is a build-up of something called efflorescence.

The first step is to stop the water from entering the masonry.  You must figure out if it is coming from the inside of the chimney or from the outside of the chimney.

Many things can cause this from porous masonry materials to a damaged or defective crown area to no chimney cap to a condensing gas appliance venting into the chimney.  You MUST stop the water from coming in, BEFORE you attempt to remove the efflorescence.  Otherwise all your cleaning efforts will be in vain and it will re-occur.

To remove efflorescence it must be properly treated with a cleaning solution designed to remove this type of buildup.  This will involve wetting the masonry, applying the solution, scrubbing with a brush, then thorough rinsing and/or neutralizing as per the manufacturer's instructions.

After this is done, I would suggest the application of ChimneySaver brand water repellent.  This brand of repellent will still let the chimney breathe and will not trap any future condensation within the structure.  This brand of repellent will also not change the appearance of the chimney.  Whatever you do, do NOT use a SEALER!  This can cause major problems for a chimney.

Thanks for using the forum!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden
President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-625-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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