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(645) 465-4171

Chimney animal removal, clean-out and caps in El Portal

We check the damper, lining and top for damage the animal left behind and price any repair separately.

  • Owned and run locally
  • Available for same-day service
  • Fully licensed and insured
  • Family owned and run
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When to call about chimney animals

  • A missing or crooked chimney cap
  • A torn screen on the cap
  • Smoke backing up after a long idle spell
  • Buzzing insects around the chimney top
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What our chimney animal work covers

Many native birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Florida's nuisance wildlife rule does not allow them to be taken without federal authorization. That can include both the birds and their active nests.

So a bird in the chimney is first a question of which bird. Some species may be handled directly, and others must be left until the nest is no longer in use. We explain which case applies and what can be done in the meantime to protect the room.

What animals do to a fireplace damper

A damper is often where an animal sits, nests or tries to get through. Its plate can be bent out of line, its hinge jammed with nest material or its handle knocked loose.

After the clean-out we work the damper through its range and check that it closes fully. A damper that no longer closes lets air, smell and possibly the next animal into the room. Repair or replacement is priced as its own item. We also explain whether the fireplace can be used before the damper is fixed.

Animal sounds in a house you just moved into

New owners sometimes hear their first chimney animal soon after moving in. The chimney may have been uncapped for a long time, or an old nest may be in use again.

Treat it as a chance to learn about the chimney as a whole. The free inspection identifies the animal and also shows the state of the top, the damper and the flue. You then have a plan for both the animal and the fireplace. That is more useful than dealing with the noise alone.

Using the fireplace again after an animal

After an animal has been removed, the flue cleaned and the top closed, the fireplace can usually go back into use. We confirm that before we leave and write it on the record.

Watch the first fire for smoke spilling into the room or an unusual smell. If either appears, stop and tell us. A small amount of material may have lodged beyond reach, and it is better to find it early. Keep the written record handy in case you need to describe what happened.

Animal removal work in El Portal, line by line

  • Check of the damper, shelf and top
  • Removal or exclusion where the rules allow
  • Damage from the animal noted
  • Crown gaps sealed at the top

Asking about animal removal in El Portal

What should I do if an animal gets into the house?

Close off the room, keep people and pets out and open an outside door or window from that room if there is one. Do not try to catch it. Our 24/7 emergency line is there if you cannot contain it.

Do you use poison to get rid of chimney animals?

No. Most poisons are not allowed under Florida's rule, and poison tends to leave a dead animal inside the flue. We use methods that fit the species, the rule and the chimney.

What if the animal noises have stopped?

Silence does not by itself mean the animal left. It may be resting, have moved higher or have died, and young may remain. Keep the damper closed and tell us, and we check before any cap goes on.

More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace

More about chimney animal removalEvery service in El Portal

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