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We remove birds and other small animals from your chimney

What’s that scratching, scraping or chirping noise coming from your chimney? If you hear movement in your chimney, chances are there is an animal in your chimney. So how do you deal with animals in your chimney?

Animals in chimneys are more than a nuisance. Even when the chimney isn’t in use, animals cause problems. Animals and birds damage your chimney lining. They also bring in debris or build nests that entirely blocks the chimney opening. Animals and birds also introduce diseases to your home. Animals and the debris they bring into the chimney can fill your home with horrible odors.

What to do about an animal in your chimney

We remove birds and other small animals from your chimney - Indianapolis IN - Your Chimney SweepIf an animal is in your chimney, call our professionals right now. Larger animals require a professional animal control technician, but birds and small animals such as squirrels, can be removed by Your Chimney Sweep!

If you suspect an animal in your chimney, first you need to close the damper to prevent the animal from entering. Then, call in a professional, because our chimney technicians are trained to remove birds and animals safely. Once the animal is safely removed, your chimney needs to be swept and inspected to ensure no debris or damages are left behind.

About chimney swifts

However, there is one type of bird that cannot be removed from your chimney: the chimney swift. Chimney swifts are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Act, which makes it illegal to disturb their nests. They find homes on vertical surfaces of chimney flues in late spring or early summer, and they vacate their nests in the fall. They have cigar-shaped bodies and square tails, and they flap their wings swiftly, like bats. If swifts are nesting in your chimney, you have to wait until they leave in the fall. Then you should call our professionals to get your chimney swept and inspected.

If you have an animal or bird in your chimney, call Your Chimney Sweep for help! We can assess the problem, safely remove the animal and sweep and inspect your chimney to make sure it’s safe to use this fall. We can even outfit your chimney for the perfect chimney cap to keep birds, bats, and animals out for good!

By Joe Sauter on August 28th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment

The importance of a chimney cap

One of your chimney’s most important components sits at the very top, where you likely don’t see it or think about it. The chimney cap may be out of sight and out of mind, but it plays an important role in protecting your chimney from water damage. As such, it’s important that you make sure your chimney cap is firmly in place and in good repair.

The Importance Of A Chimney Cap - Indianapolis IN - Your Chimney SweepYour chimney cap wears many hats

Your chimney cap sits at the very top of your chimney’s flue. In most cases, it is a metal cap attached to the top of your chimney with a wire cage. While a chimney cap’s primary role is to keep water from flowing down the walls of your flue and causing damage to the chimney liner, firebox, damper and other portions of your fireplace and chimney, it actually serves several other purposes as well.

While the top of your chimney cap diverts water and prevents strong downdrafts from entering your chimney, the metal caging that supports it is equally as important. The caging prevents animals and birds from entering your chimney, where they can build nests or become trapped and die. The caging also prevents leaves, twigs and other debris from entering and blocking the chimney. Blocked chimneys can cause all sorts of problems, including improper drafting, a backflow of carbon monoxide and even chimney fires.

The caging also helps to keep things in. Without it, sparks or still burning embers would be able to rise out of your chimney. Those embers can land on your roof or on nearby vegetation and ignite fires. 

Know your chimney cap

Because your chimney cap is so important, it is important not to forget about it high upon your rooftop. While most chimneys are fitted with chimney caps, those chimney caps can become dislodged over time, or they can rust or corrode. If your chimney cap is missing, in disrepair, or improperly fitted or installed it can pose a risk to your chimney and your home.

The only real way to know the status of your chimney cap is to visit your roof and inspect it. If you are unable to do so safely, your chimney sweep should inspect your chimney cap during your annual sweeping and inspection. Your sweep should inform you if your chimney cap is missing or in poor condition, and he or she should recommend and be willing to install a replacement if needed. If you are concerned, remember to ask your sweep about your chimney cap before he or she visits your rooftop.

If you need a sweep to inspect your chimney and your chimney cap, call Your Chimney Sweep today! We’ll make sure your chimney cap is in good repair and keeping your chimney safe.

By Joe Sauter on May 9th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment