Animal removal and flue clean-out in North Miami Beach

When there are young raccoons in the chimney

Young raccoons cannot climb out on their own, and a mother will try hard to get back to them. Removing her and closing the top would leave them to starve. Removing them without her can bring her back to tear at the cap or the roof.

The plan has to keep the family together or account for every animal. We explain the approach that fits what we find and whether it needs a wildlife professional. The cap goes on only once the flue is confirmed empty.

A dead animal inside the flue

A strong, rotten smell from the fireplace, sometimes with flies near the hearth, often means an animal has died in the chimney. It may have fallen in and been unable to leave, or been sealed in by a cap fitted too early.

Keep the damper closed and the room aired. We locate and remove the remains, clean the area they were in and bag everything for removal. The smell usually fades once the source is gone, and we tell you if anything else may be contributing.

Questions to ask before animal removal starts

A clear plan answers a few questions before work begins. Ask these if the answers are not already plain.

If an answer is vague, ask again. We would rather take a few extra minutes at the start than leave you unsure about what happens to the animal or the chimney.

• What kind of animal is in the chimney
• What the rules allow at this time
• Which steps our team handles and which others do
• How the flue will be confirmed empty before capping

Cap mesh that stands up to salt air

Where salt air reaches the chimney top, galvanized mesh can rust through sooner than it would inland. American Galvanizers Association guidance notes that chlorides shorten the life of galvanized coatings. A rusted screen opens a gap animals can use.

For caps in salt-exposed settings, we explain the stainless and copper options and why the grade matters. IMOA guidance on stainless steel links grade choice to chloride exposure. The estimate shows the material we suggest. Stainless grade and fastener choice matter more in this exposure than on chimneys away from salt air.