Animal removal and entry repairs for chimneys in Boca Raton

Other birds nesting on the smoke shelf

Birds other than swifts sometimes build nests on the smoke shelf, on top of the damper or just inside the top of the flue. Twigs, grass and leaves falling into the firebox are a common sign.

Whether the nest can come out now depends on the species and whether it is active. Once it can, the material is removed in full, because a nest is combustible and blocks the draft. We then look at how the birds got in and price a screened cap if one is needed.

Branches that give animals a route to the top

Trees and shrubs close to the chimney make it easy for climbing animals to reach the top. Branches resting on the roof act as bridges for squirrels and raccoons.

Trimming trees is outside our work, but we point out any branches that seem to give animals access. Keeping them trimmed back helps the cap and screen do their job. We note it on the written record so you can arrange it with whoever looks after your trees. A cap is harder to defeat when animals cannot reach it easily.

Chimney parts that matter in animal removal

A few chimney terms come up when an animal is removed. Knowing them makes the plan and the written record easier to follow.

During the visit, we can point out each part. Once you have seen the smoke shelf, it is easy to understand why so many animals end up there.

• The flue is the passage smoke uses to leave the house
• The damper closes the flue off from the room
• The smoke shelf is the ledge behind the damper
• The cap screen is the mesh over the flue top

You saw an animal go into the chimney

Seeing an animal enter the chimney top is useful. Note what it looked like, what time it was and whether it came back out. If you saw it more than once, note that too.

Do not try to block the top or chase it away. Keep the damper closed and tell us what you saw. That sighting may let us plan the right approach before we even arrive. A description of its size, color and movement is often enough to narrow it down.