- PENSACOLA SHOWROOM: 7555 Highway 98 West, Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32506
- DESTIN SHOWROOM: 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100, Destin, FL 32541
Animals invading your chimney can be a big problem. An unprotected chimney will allow in birds, squirrels, bats, raccoons, rodents, and other critters. What can you do about it?
Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to share some helpful information about how to deal with a small-animal chimney invasion.
Why do animals want to get into chimneys?The main reason little animals move into chimneys is for shelter from the outside elements. Different types of animals may seek refuge at various times of the year, so it can be an ongoing problem.
Certain animals use chimneys to give birth to their young. Among these animals are chimney swifts, birds that are federally protected and cannot be destroyed. Likewise, their nests and eggs cannot be harmed. Your chimney technician should be able to alert you to the presence of chimney swifts and help with a strategy.
There are four good reasons to take the necessary steps to keep small animals out of your chimney flue.
If the animals build nests, the material can lead to a draft blockage and cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to move slowly through the flue and possibly back up into your home.
Small animals can emit odors. Dead small animals can emit very unpleasant odors. These smells can easily filter into the air you breathe.
Should you experience a chimney fire, nesting materials, and dead animals will add fuel to it and make it burn faster and hotter.
Once a bird, squirrel, or rat is in the flue, it’s an easy path down into your home. Remembering to keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace isn’t in use will prevent this.
Short of moving your home to a location where no small animals exist, the only sure-fire solution for keeping them out of your chimney is a proper chimney cap.
A chimney cap is a full-width component that covers the entire top of the chimney. In addition to keeping out invaders with its mesh sides, it protects the flue from rain and tree debris. It also covers and protects the concrete chimney crown.
A flue cover is a component designed to cover just the flue opening. It will keep animals out, but it won’t protect the crown.
If you’re currently having an animal problem, the first step is to have your chimney professionally cleaned. Trained chimney sweeps will remove living and dead animals and clean out nesting materials and other debris. Chimney sweeping also removes flammable creosote.
It won’t do any good to attempt to “smoke out” the animals by using the fireplace. The ones that escape likely will return; the ones that die will lead to problems as described above. Have a chimney sweep clean out the flue, then have a proper chimney cap installed. This is the solution that works.
Doodlebuggers can help with animal problems. We provide professional chimney sweeping, chimney inspections, and the installation of chimney caps and all other components.
Reach a chimney expert today at (850) 477-1151 in Pensacola, FL, or at (850) 243-0154 in the Destin, FL, area. You can also get in touch with our handy contact form.
