Animal removal and entry repairs for chimneys in Middle River Terrace
Upfront pricing for each step, and no work added without your approval.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs of an animal in the chimney
- Chirping or chattering in the flue
- Bats leaving the chimney at dusk
- Smoke backing up after a long idle spell
- Sounds that stopped suddenly
Jump to
From first sounds to cap, animal removal explained
A bird trapped above the damper
A single bird that has fallen into the flue may flutter and call without being able to climb out. The closed damper keeps it out of the room, and the flue is the safer place for it for now.
Keep the damper closed and the room quiet, and tell us what you hear. We look at whether the bird can be guided out safely and whether it has a nest in the flue. Opening the damper into a lived-in room is rarely the best way to free it.
Raccoons using a chimney as a den
A raccoon can climb into an uncapped chimney and use the smoke shelf or damper area as a den. Heavy thumps, growling or chittering, especially at night, are common signs. A raccoon inside may be a female with young.
Florida's nuisance wildlife rule allows a property owner, or someone the owner authorizes, to remove a raccoon by allowed methods. We explain what that means for your chimney and who does which step. The young are part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Why nest material must be gone before a fire
Twigs, leaves, grass and fur burn easily. A nest left in the flue can catch fire from the heat and sparks of an ordinary fire. It also narrows or blocks the passage the smoke needs.
Do not use the fireplace until the flue has been cleared and looked at. We tell you when it is ready and note it on the written record. If some material was out of reach, the record gives its location and whether it affects use.
Why some flues attract nesting birds
USFWS describes chimney swifts as preferring brick, stone or mortar chimneys, where the rough inner walls give them something to cling to. A smooth metal liner is harder for them to use. An open masonry flue with no cap is the easiest of all.
That does not mean every masonry chimney will draw birds, or that a metal liner is the answer to a bird problem. If you want birds kept out in future, a screened cap fitted once they have left is the way to do it. We explain the timing and the cap choice that suit your chimney.
Clean-out, repairs and cap after animal removal
- Nest material and droppings removed
- Damage from the animal noted
- Written record of what was found
- Plan for young animals in the flue
Before you arrange chimney animal removal
Is a raccoon in the chimney likely to have young?
It can. A raccoon using a chimney as a den may be a female with young that cannot climb out. The plan has to account for them, so nothing is left behind when the top is closed.
What does a screened chimney cap do?
It closes the top of the flue to birds, bats, squirrels and raccoons while letting smoke out. It also keeps rain and debris from dropping in. It is sized to the flue and fixed securely.
Could an animal block the flue of another appliance?
It can. If a nest blocks a flue serving another appliance, gases may have nowhere to go. Leave that appliance off until the flue has been looked at, and tell us which appliance it is.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
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Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo