Raccoons
Raccoon dens above the damper are cleared out without harming the kits.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Animal Removal Folsom, PA
A Folsom chimney sweep can get wildlife out of the flue safely and with the right timing for the animal, then cap the top. Dial (484) 470-7034 to be connected with a nearby chimney sweep.
Without a cap, a chimney is an open invitation to wildlife. Raccoons den above the damper, birds nest in the flue and small animals like squirrels can fall in and get stuck. Each one brings nesting material that blocks the flue, droppings that smell and the risk of the animal getting into the house.
Do not try to smoke an animal out by lighting a fire. Young animals that cannot climb will be hurt, the nest can catch fire, and a blocked flue can push smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. Keep the damper and any fireplace doors closed so the animal stays in the chimney, and keep pets away from the fireplace.
Not every animal can be removed the same way or at any time. Chimney swifts are protected under federal law as migratory birds, so an active nest stays until the birds leave for the season. Raccoons, squirrels and bats each have their own methods, and wildlife rules in Pennsylvania can affect how they are handled. Afterward, a chimney cap with screening is what keeps the next one out.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Folsom chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or chimney cleaning.
Dealing with this in Folsom, PA right now? Call (484) 470-7034 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Folsom.
Call nowThe process
The chimney animal removal process
Safe removal depends on knowing what is in the chimney and planning around it.
Identify the animal
The noises, smell and debris point to the type of animal and whether young are involved.
Plan the timing
The method and timing are chosen to follow wildlife rules and protect any young before any work begins.
Humane removal
Depending on the animal, removal may be by hand, with an exclusion door or by giving a mother the chance to relocate her young without harming them.
Clean out the flue
Nests, sticks, droppings and debris are removed from the smoke shelf, damper and flue and the area is cleaned up.
Sanitize
Where animals have nested, the area is cleaned to remove odor and parasites since droppings can carry disease.
Cap the chimney
A chimney cap with a mesh screen goes on the flue so animals cannot return so the problem does not repeat next season.
What is included
Common chimney animal problems
Dead animal removal
An animal that died in the chimney is removed and the odor treated so the odor fades.
Birds
Nests on the smoke shelf, damper or in the flue are cleared with chimney swifts left until they migrate.
Small animals
Small animals stuck in the flue or on the damper are removed and the entry point is closed.
Bats
Bats are excluded rather than trapped since rules often protect them.
Related service
Bird Nest Removal Folsom, PA
Birds nest in chimneys because the inside of a flue is dry, sheltered and hard for predators to reach. The sticks and grass in a nest can block the flue and ignite when a fire is lit. If the flue vents a furnace or water heater, a nest can force carbon monoxide into the house.
Because chimney swifts are protected, their nests cannot be disturbed during nesting season. The sweep will advise on when removal can happen, and then the nest is cleared and a cap goes on. Other species can often be handled sooner, depending on the bird and the rules that apply.
Related service
Raccoon Removal Folsom, PA
Raccoons are strong climbers, and a mother raccoon will often choose a chimney smoke shelf as a den to raise her kits in spring. Noises at dusk and dawn and the sound of young calling are typical. Raccoons can carry disease, and their droppings can hold roundworm eggs, so leave removal to someone equipped for it.
The young are often removed first so the mother can relocate them, and the chimney is checked empty before it is sealed. Trapping and relocation rules differ by state, so the method follows what is allowed in Pennsylvania. Then the area is sanitized and a strong cap is fastened down to keep the next raccoon out.
Local help
Chimney Animal Removal Near Me
Chimneys in Folsom see the most animal activity in spring and early summer, when birds nest and raccoons raise their young. Homes in Folsom and nearby towns such as Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Swarthmore and Morton with trees close to the roof make it easy for raccoons and squirrels to reach the top. A cap with a mesh screen is the simplest fix, and trimming branches back from the roof helps too.
Searching for chimney animal removal near me from Folsom or Ridley Park, Prospect Park, Swarthmore and Morton? Call (484) 470-7034 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Folsom
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Folsom is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Folsom and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Animal Removal questions
What should I do about chimney swifts?
Because chimney swifts are protected, removal has to wait until the birds leave for the season. Once they migrate, a sweep can clear the nest and cap the chimney so they do not return. In the meantime, keep the damper shut to keep noise and birds out of the house.
Are animals in the chimney dangerous?
Wildlife in a chimney brings several risks. Nests can block the flue and catch fire, droppings can carry disease, and raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm. A blocked flue on a furnace or water heater can also send carbon monoxide into the house, so keep CO alarms working.
Can I light a fire to get an animal out of my chimney?
Lighting a fire is the wrong move with an animal in the chimney. It can kill young animals, start a nest fire and push smoke and carbon monoxide indoors. Keep the damper closed and call a sweep instead.
What should I do about a dead animal smell in the fireplace?
A sour, rotten odor from the fireplace points to a dead animal in the chimney. Removing the animal and cleaning the smoke shelf is the only real fix. Keep the damper closed until then to keep the smell out of the room.
How do I keep animals out of my chimney?
Capping the flue with a mesh-sided cap stops most animals. Choose a cap that is fastened securely and has mesh fine enough to stop birds. Keeping branches off the roof removes an easy path to the top.
More questions? Call (484) 470-7034
Related services
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Cleaning
Brushing and vacuuming the buildup from fireplace and stove chimneys of every kind, so the flue drafts well and burns safely.
Learn moreChimney Odor Removal
Getting rid of the campfire, musty or rotten smell coming from a chimney so the room stops smelling like an old ashtray.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Restoring the damper that opens and closes the flue or replacing them with a top sealing damper.
Learn more
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