The cool thing about ivy is that it can be trained. Well, in truth, it can be “let go” so that it covers everything in sight. Ivy League schools are only beginning to see the damage that the “ivy look” can do to their brick structures and are removing it from buildings kicking and screaming because people like the look so much. Some schools would be almost unrecognizable without their ivy. Regardless of how cool it looks----Ivy should never be allowed to climb buildings. I have seen it crawl under clapboard siding and fill up attic spaces where it turns an eerie albino color due to lack of light. I have seen it go through brick chimneys and come out the fireplace opening. Although it is not the “poison” kind, usually, it is poison to most structures. In some cases, as with this chimney, it has gotten to the point where it not only is likely destroying the chimney but it is also likely holding it together----which only complicates the repair. When it gets this bad (and this one is actually more picturesque in getting my point across than it is bad) it may be more than a matter of just removing the ivy and fixing the chimney, it may mean that the two have to be removed together to prevent the chimney from falling apart. Those of you that have been following me for a while will remember Oscar the Grouch who was in fact holding the chimney together to the point that the whole chimney had to be re-built. Is your house ivy-league---or in a league of its own? Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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Charles,
Great reminder...I have some trying to grow up the side of my chimney....my hubby is going to love you! HA!
Ivy is bad stuff. Not only for houses but in the woods as well. I've spent many Saturdays with a volunteer group which removes ivy and other invasives from Ravenna Park. The trees are eaten alive by the stuff.
Lori, I am sure at least 1/2 the husbands out there hate my blog :)
Glenn, ivy is the "rat" of the plant species
Charles It also makes a great home for all sorts of undesireable vermin
Before I was into real estate I used to think that the ivy covered buildings were cool. My mind has been altered now. Thanks...I think.
Mr Charles,
I would recommend a nice haircut in this case.
Nutsy
Karen, especially rats. Rats/Ivy are synonymous I am afraid. If you want rats----plant ivy.
Lizette, it is interesting how information can change our asthetics :)
Nutsy, tell your boss to step away from the computer and go to breakfast.
Charles - Ivy, like children, must be trained and always monitored for proper behavior.
Hi Charles, Because of the beautiful leaves and it's ever green color, people have always been attracted to this plant. I suspect if let to it's own devices it would much of the earth. It seems to grow just about anywhere. The damage as you mention is amazing. I have a large mound of it and in weeks it can penetrate my fence, up, under and through it. But I have been careful not to let attach to the house. The attachment parts are ugly and the only way to removed is to scrape or sand the fence. A very Feisty plant.
Ivy is like wall paper. Once you've removed it, you'll never have it again.
John, and like children it amounts to a more than full time job
William it is for sure tenacious
Kate, interesting and true analogy.
I remember your Oscar the Grouch post!
And, as cool as it may look, ivy will deteriorate anything it clings to.
Charles you are so right about rats and ivy. I used to think that ivy covered buildings looked so wonderful and then someone told me how rats love to live in the stuff and it changed my viewpoint forever. Now I know even more about the damage it can do it's bye bye for sure.
Hi Charles...I had to have a chimney repaired and the siding replaced on the back of my own house for just this reason...Never again...Enjoy the day.
Craig, it sure will
Angela, like rats, the stuff will probably always be around
Ernie, bummer
I couldn't agree more Charlie. It may look nice, but you are almost stuck with it for life. One of the most resilient plants on earth.
Hey Charles, you'll never see a chimney like that in St. George! I've always thought those ivy covered homes were enchanting, never thought about the probelms they could pose.
Adam, and in the NW it is EVERYWHERE!
Erika, I expect not :)
Very kindly,
Croakster
Mr Charles,
I had thoughted that my joke above was quite hysterious.
Nutsy
Croakster, I have been meaning to ask you how you like your new i-pad?
Nutsy, I didn't get it :)
Very kindly,
Croakster
* I'm sure I don't need to explain the "F." OK, the F means Frog. I can push the apps with my tongue...
Charles-
Folks tend to love ivy. Especially on the side of a brick bungalow. Little do they know the little bugger loves to slowly dig in and spread the mortar until it begins to crack and crumble. The tuckpointing bill far exceeds the quaintness of the ivy wall.
Rich, and in your climate and mine any little crack that gets started just gets made worse in freeze/thaw cycles.