Chimney animal removal, clean-out and caps in Richmond West
Find out what is living in the chimney and leave with a clear plan for getting it out and keeping it out.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Hints that the flue needs animal removal
- Animals seen entering the chimney top
- Bats leaving the chimney at dusk
- A missing or crooked chimney cap
- Branches touching the chimney or roof
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Birds, bats and raccoons in the flue, explained
Squirrels nesting near the chimney top
Some squirrels do not fall in but build a nest at the top of the flue or just under the cap. Leaves and twigs packed into the opening block the draft. The nest is also combustible.
Removal of the nest waits until any young have left or can be dealt with in the right way. Then the material comes out, the flue is brushed and the top is closed with a screened cap. Gaps in the cap or crown that gave the squirrel access are noted for repair.
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.
Why animals come back to the same chimney
A chimney that has sheltered one animal often attracts another. Scent, old nest material and an easy way in all play a part. USFWS notes that chimney swifts often return to the same chimney.
That is why the clean-out and the cap matter as much as the removal. Taking away the nest material and closing the top breaks the pattern. If you notice activity at the top again, tell us early, before a new nest is built. An early call usually means a simpler job.
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.
What the animal removal estimate covers
- Check of the damper, shelf and top
- Room protection during the clean-out
- Cap fixed as its instructions describe
- Odor source traced after removal
Common questions about birds, bats and raccoons
How do you get bats out of a chimney?
Florida's rule allows bats to be moved out only with exclusion devices or a registered repellent, and only outside the maternity season. An exclusion device lets them leave but not return. We explain what is allowed at the time and who carries it out.
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.
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.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo