Animal Removal From Chimney
Helping get rid of "varmints" like squirrels sometimes brings us face-to-face with other risks like this red fox looking to score some dinner. This photo taken February 2010 on our client's back deck.
Birds
Birds sit around up top, defecate on roof, chimney and damper, and (oddly) peck holes in flashing. Sometimes they fall down in or get stuck part way down blocking the flue. Chimney swifts love chimneys and build their small nests, sticking them onto the chimney sides. Since they are a protected species, we can't clean or line the chimney during their nesting times, June through August! We'll clear out unwanted or trapped visitors and, again, cap your chimney.
Squirrels
Squirrels build nests and block off chimneys and then sometimes find their way into your house, especially if they fall down and can't get back up the chimney. Dead squirrels smell really bad! We chase 'em out and clean the chimney and put on a cap.
Racoons
Racoons are cute, but a heap of trouble. They love to seek shelter and security on the smoke shelf behind your fireplace damper where they birth their litters. Soon you'll hear the high pitched squeaks of their brood. Meanwhile the urine and feces and roundworms build up, and rabies is an issue. We'll chase the mama out, extricate the babies and leave them outside in a safe place for mama coon to retrieve later, and then clean the chimney — yuck! Warn your neighbors that they're headed their way. Then you'll need a meshed raincap!