Animal removal and flue clean-out in River Oaks

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.

Sizing and fixing a cap to the flue

A chimney cap has to fit the flue it covers. Manufacturer guidance stresses matching the cap to the size of the flue tile, and the fixing method depends on the cap type. Some bolt onto the flue tile, some band around the top course of brick, some slip into the flue and some attach to the crown.

A cap that is loose or poorly sized can be pushed aside by a determined animal. We measure the flue, choose a cap that suits it and fix it as its instructions describe. The written record notes the type and how it was attached.

Details that help us plan the animal visit

A short description on the phone helps us plan the free inspection and bring the right equipment. These details help most.

Nothing on the list is required to book. If you are unsure about any of it, say so, and we find out during the visit. Call us with what you know.

• What you hear, and at what time of day
• When the noises started and whether they have changed
• Whether the damper is open or closed
• Whether the chimney has a cap on top

Stopping repeat animal visits in River Oaks

Once a chimney in River Oaks has been cleared, the goal is to keep it that way. A well-fitted screened cap, a damper that closes and repaired gaps at the crown or chase do most of the work.

Close the damper when the fireplace is cold and look at the cap from the ground now and then. If you hear activity again, tell us early. A problem caught before a nest is built is simpler to deal with. It also keeps the flue clear for the next fire.