Chimney animal removal by local pros in Riverside Acres

Checking the flue before the next fire

Once the animal and the nest are gone, the flue still needs a look from top to bottom. We check for leftover material, damage to the liner and anything that would block smoke from rising. NFPA 211 calls for chimneys to be inspected annually and for obstructions to be cleared, and that standard applies with extra weight after nesting. Any repair we find is priced separately for your approval. On your Riverside Acres chimney, the flue check is part of the same visit as the cleanup whenever access allows it.

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.

What the chimney inspection covers

Our free inspection for an animal problem looks at the chimney from the roof and from inside. The written findings say what we saw, what the rules allow and what we recommend, item by item. The inspection also notes anything we could not see, so you know what the findings cover.

• The cap, screen and crown or chase cover at the top
• Signs of nesting, droppings, fur or feathers
• The damper, smoke shelf and firebox from below
• Every flue in the chimney, including appliance flues

Birds perching or nesting on top of a cap

Birds sometimes perch on a cap or build on its hood without entering the flue. That is usually a lesser concern, though nest material on the hood can blow into the screen and clog it. We look at the hood and screen during the inspection. If nest material is restricting the screen, clearing it is part of the cleanup, while the timing rules for protected birds still apply. A cap hood with a nest on top can also trap heat and debris, so we note it even when the flue is clear.