Often times, small animals will mistake a chimney for a hollow tree. Once an animal has climbed into a chimney, it is extremely difficult to get out. In Michigan, it’s most common to find squirrels, raccoons, and birds stuck in chimneys. If you can hear an animal trying to escape, call your local animal rescue immediately. The experts will safely remove the animal and return it back to the wilderness. Under no circumstances should you try to build a fire and “smoke” the animal out.
It’s also possible that there is a dead animal stuck in your chimney. It’s an unfortunate situation, but sometimes unavoidable. You may not even realize it until you notice a funky smell or have trouble venting a fire. If you notice a problem, contact Doctor Flue for an inspection. If there is, in fact, a critter, our CSIA certified chimney sweeps will assist with the animal removal process.
If your chimney is prone to attracting animals, there are a few ways you can prevent them from getting stuck inside. Here are a few of our recommendations:
To learn more about how to prevent animals from entering your chimney, contact Doctor Flue today! Give us a call at (800) 438-3583 or send us an email at office@drflue.com. For your convenience, you can also schedule an appointment online. Servicing Michigan and Ohio, Doctor Flue offers chimney inspections, cleaning, fireplace installations, and more.
Have you ever had a critter stuck in your chimney? Tell us your story in the comments below!
Some common gas fireplace problems include unusual odors, ignition failure, unbalanced fire, cloudy glass, visible…
Whether you have a traditional masonry fireplace or a modern factory-built unit, each component plays…
Do you need to clean your chimney if you don't use your fireplace? The short…
A cracked chimney can result from moisture, freezing temperatures, house settling, chimney fire, or construction…
The most common fireplace problems include creosote buildup, critter invasions, obstructions, closed dampers, poor-quality firewood,…
There are three chimney inspection levels that professionals use to determine the state of your…