Remove animals in your chimney
Spring is when most animals and birds are looking for places to nest. As a result, some animals might enter your chimney and make their home there. So what’s the problem with animals in your chimney? And what should you do if an animal has made your chimney their home, or is accidentally trapped inside it?
The dangers of animals in chimneys
Once inside your chimney, animals can cause all sorts of problems. They can damage the components inside your chimney including the chimney liner or chimney damper. Animals can also cause blockage in your chimney, with their bodies or with the nesting materials.
A blockage in your chimney can ignite a dangerous chimney fire. It can also prevent smoke and carbon monoxide from exiting your chimney. Some animals might even bypass your smoke shelf and chimney damper to enter your home, which can then cause serious damage to your property. In addition to causing a blockage in the chimney, the animals that inhibit it can fill it with disgusting smells.
What to do about animals in your chimney
If you have a bird or animals in your chimney, it’s time to call in the professionals. Some animals like chimney swifts are protected, and their nests must stay in your chimney until they decide to move out by choice. Whereas, other animals can be safely removed by a professional. Once an animal has been removed or leave your chimney, it’s crucial to have it properly cleaned and inspected professionally. A chimney sweeping will remove any debris or nesting materials left behind, while the inspection will spot any damages left behind by the critters.
How to prevent animals in your chimney
When it comes to animals in your chimney, it’s best to prevent an animal from the chance to enter your chimney from the start. First, we recommend a sturdy chimney cap affixed with a metal guard, to prevent birds and animals from finding their way into the chimney. You can also fit your chimney for a top-sealing chimney damper, which seals the opening of your chimney to prevent animals or water from entering your chimney at all.
However, if an animal has already found its way into your chimney, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment now. Our technicians can remove animals from your chimney, and can also clean and inspect it to find a solution to prevent any future animal invasions!