Animal removal and entry repairs for chimneys in Olympia Heights
We find out what is in the flue before anything is closed, and we explain what the law allows next.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What tells you an animal moved in
- Thumps or growling at night
- Droppings on the hearth or firebox floor
- A rotten smell that will not fade
- A torn screen on the cap
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Birds, bats and raccoons in the flue, explained
Leave droppings and nest material alone
Droppings, feathers or nest material in the firebox are signs worth describing, but not worth handling. Leave them where they are. They help us identify the animal, and cleaning them up belongs to the clean-out once the flue is empty.
If material is spreading into the room, cover it loosely and keep the area closed off. Do not sweep or vacuum dry droppings with household equipment. We bag them with the rest of the debris and haul them away when the work is done.
Signs that bats are using the chimney
Bats often show themselves at dusk, when they leave the chimney top to feed. Small dark droppings collecting in the firebox or on the hearth, a faint musty smell and quiet squeaking or rustling are other signs.
If you see bats leaving, try to note the time and roughly how many. Do not block the top or try to scare them out. That information helps decide whether exclusion is possible now or has to wait, and what kind of device would suit the chimney top.
Animals inside a framed chimney chase
Factory-built fireplaces often have a metal chimney inside a framed chase. Gaps around the chase cover, damaged siding or openings at the base can let animals into the chase without entering the flue itself.
Animals in a chase can damage framing and pull at material around the chimney pipe. We find the way in and describe what the animal may have disturbed. Repairs to the chase or its cover are priced separately, once the animal is out. Until then, keep any openings into the house near the chase closed.
A torn cap screen as the way in
A cap does not stop animals once its screen is torn, rusted through or pulled away. Squirrels and raccoons in particular can widen a small gap. The cap looks fine from the ground, but the flue is open.
We look closely at the screen during the visit. If it is damaged, we explain whether it can be repaired or the cap should be replaced. Either way, the fix waits until the flue is confirmed empty. In the meantime, keep the damper closed.
What the animal removal estimate covers
- Check of the damper, shelf and top
- Smoke shelf cleared of debris
- Written record of what was found
- Odor source traced after removal
Common questions about birds, bats and raccoons
What if a bird falls into my fireplace?
Keep people and pets away and do not try to raise it. For young swifts, USFWS advises contacting a migratory bird rehabilitator. Tell us, so we can plan the clean-out for when the birds have gone.
Where does a removed animal go afterward?
Florida's nuisance wildlife rule limits where a caught animal may be released, and some species may not be moved at all. We explain what will happen to the animal before any removal starts.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- 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.
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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