Chimney animal removal by local pros in Pershing

Listening for what is in the chimney

The sound tells us a lot before anyone climbs a ladder. Write down what you hear and when, and share it when you call. Timing, sound and anything that has fallen into the firebox usually narrow the list down.

• Scratching or thumping, often at night, can point to a climbing animal
• Chirping that rises when adults return can mean nestlings
• Fluttering near the damper suggests a bird or bat in the smoke chamber
• Light scurrying in daylight can point to squirrels

Choosing the cap material

Caps come in galvanized steel, stainless steel and copper. Galvanized costs less and eventually rusts, and a rusted screen tears more easily. Stainless holds up longer and keeps its screen intact, and copper is chosen mainly for looks. After an animal problem, a sturdy screen matters more than the finish. We explain the choices for your chimney and write the material on the estimate. Screen gauge and how the cap fastens to the flue or crown are written down as well.

Fireplace doors as a barrier

Glass fireplace doors add a second barrier in front of the damper. If your fireplace has them, keep them closed and latched until the chimney is clear. If it has only a mesh curtain, a closed damper is the main barrier, and cardboard taped over the opening can add a temporary one. Remove any temporary covering before the fireplace is used again. Never block the damper opening in a way that keeps you from checking on what is behind it.

When several homes on a street hear animals

Animals that find one open chimney often try others nearby. If neighbors hear similar sounds, each chimney needs its own assessment, since the animal and its situation can differ from house to house. A screened cap on every chimney closes the pattern. We can inspect more than one home on a visit when the owners arrange it. Each owner still receives a separate written plan and estimate for their own chimney. If a neighbor's open chimney keeps attracting animals, a cap on yours is still the part you control.