Removing Animals From Your Chimney
The heat and smoke of your fireplace, combined with its dark confines, may make your chimney seem inhospitable. Many animals and birds have the opposite view, however. The warmth that flows up from you home can seem cozy and inviting. In addition, the walls of your chimney can offer protection from predators and the elements. That’s why a variety of animals will try to make a home in your chimney, if given the opportunity.
The dangers of animals in your chimney.
Do you hear scratching and movement from your chimney walls? Have you noticed an animal lurking on your rooftop near your flue? If so, it can be tempting to ignore, but ignoring an animal intruder in your chimney is a big mistake! Animals can damage your flue liner. Their bodies and their nests can create dangerous obstructions that can force smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home, or that can ignite and cause a chimney fire. Animals that find their way into your chimney and get stuck can die inside the chimney. Consequently, they can fill your home with a putrid smell as they rot. In a worst case scenario? Animals can bypass your chimney damper and gain entry to your home. This is where they can be aggressive, cause damage to your furniture, floors and décor, or spread dangerous diseases.
What to do about animals in your chimney.
Do you hear the telltale rustle of animals or birds in your chimney or see animals or birds entering and exiting your flue? If so, it’s time to call in chimney professionals. Never try to deal with an animal on your own! Threatened animals can become aggressive and bite or scratch. If you accidentally kill or trap the animal in your chimney, you will be stuck with a rotting corpse in your chimney. Additionally, some bird species cannot legally be removed from your chimney; you must wait until the animals migrate away and then have the nest remains swept away.
Chimney technicians trained in animal removal will know how to remove an animal or bird safely from your chimney. A trained chimney technician also can sweep the chimney to make sure that any remaining nest, food or debris within the chimney has been cleared away. In addition, he or she will inspect the chimney for any damage that could have been caused by the nesting animal.
How to keep animals out of your chimney.
Of course, it’s ideal to prevent animals from invading your chimney in the first place. Your chimney should be outfitted with a chimney cap, or a top-sealing damper, that is surrounded by a metal cage. These cages are specifically designed to keep your chimney – and your home – safe from animal intrusions.
If you need an expert to remove an animal from your chimney, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment today! We can remove the animal and make sure that your chimney is once again safe for use. If your chimney is unprotected from animal intrusions, we can outfit your flue with a chimney cap or top-sealing damper that will keep pests out of your chimney.