Animal removal and flue clean-out in Midtown
A written record of what was found, what was removed and how the chimney was closed afterward.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Evidence of a raccoon, squirrel or bird
- A rotten smell that will not fade
- A torn screen on the cap
- Feathers or fur in the firebox
- A damper that no longer closes
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How animal removal from a chimney works
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.
What the time of day says about the animal
Different animals keep different hours. Birds tend to be active by day, raccoons often move at night and bats leave the chimney around dusk. Sounds that follow one of these patterns narrow down the possibilities.
Keep a rough note of when you hear activity over a few days. It is one of the most useful things you can give us. It also helps us plan when to look at the top to see the animal for ourselves. Even a few notes on a phone are enough.
Smells that point to an animal in the chimney
A musky smell from the fireplace can come from an animal living in the flue. A sharp, ammonia-like smell often comes from droppings and urine. A sweet, rotten smell usually means an animal has died.
Describe the smell and when it is strongest. Keep the damper closed and air the room. Each kind of smell points to a different stage of the problem, and the clean-out that follows is planned around it. Do not mask it with sprays, because the smell is useful evidence.
Gaps at the crown that let animals in
The crown is the top surface of a masonry chimney around the flue. Cracks and gaps in it can open a route into the chimney beside the flue, even when a cap is fitted.
We look at the crown when the top can be reached and note any openings big enough to matter. Sealing them is part of closing the entry. Wider crown repairs are priced separately if they are needed. A cap alone does not close a gap beside the flue.
What sits inside the animal removal scope
- Occupancy confirmed before any capping
- Flue brushed after the animal leaves
- Listed cap for a factory-built chimney
- Cap material chosen for durability
What to know about animals in a chimney
Should I light a fire to make the animal leave?
No. Young animals and nesting birds cannot leave, adults may come down into the room and nest material can catch fire. Keep the fireplace cold and the damper closed, and tell us what you have noticed.
What damage do animals do to a chimney?
They can bend dampers, tear screens, loosen caps and scratch linings, and their nests hold moisture against masonry. After the clean-out we note any damage and price repairs separately.
Why do animals keep coming back to my chimney?
Scent, old nest material and an open top all draw them back. Removing the nest material and fitting a screened cap breaks the pattern. We also look for other entry points around the chimney.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo