Animal removal and entry repairs for chimneys in Brickell

An animal in a flue serving another appliance

A chimney can hold a flue for an appliance other than the fireplace. If an animal or nest is in that flue, it can block the path the appliance uses to vent. Combustion gases may then have nowhere to go but back into the house.

If you suspect this, leave that appliance off until the flue has been looked at, and tell us which appliance it is. We identify the blocked flue and explain what needs to happen before the appliance is used again. The appliance itself may need its own service visit.

Questions to ask when the animal job is done

Before we leave, these questions help you understand what was done and what to watch for.

You will find the same answers in the written record. Going over them beside the fireplace, with the parts in view, tends to make them stick. If a question comes up later, call and ask.

• Is the flue confirmed empty and clean
• What damage did the animal leave behind
• How was the top closed, and with what
• What signs would mean an animal is back

When removal and clean-out happen on different days

An animal job may take more than one visit. An exclusion may need several nights, a wait may be required for young to leave or a wildlife professional may need to act first.

We tell you at the start if more than one visit is likely. Each visit has its own purpose and its own line on the estimate. Between visits, keep the damper closed and let us know if the sounds change. Each visit ends with a short account of where things stand.

When a raccoon tries to get back in

A raccoon that has been using a chimney may try hard to return, especially if it believes young are still inside. It can pull at a loose cap, tear at a screen or work at flashing and siding nearby.

That is one reason the flue must be confirmed empty before the cap goes on, and why the cap has to be fixed firmly. If you see signs of an attempt after the work, such as a bent screen, tell us promptly. We look at it before a gap opens.