Chimney Rule: No Animals Allowed

Animals in your chimney can cause huge problems. They can bring an assortment of parasites with them and, at the same time, can cause a blockage in your chimney that could ultimately result in dangerous (and potentially deadly) byproducts of combustion being unable to travel up and out of your chimney. Most birds, squirrels, and other animals will die in the chimney; only raccoons, bats, and chimney swifts are capable of getting themselves out of the chimney once they’ve gotten themselves in.

Animals are drawn to your chimney because it acts as a perfect nursery for them. In the wild, these same animals could very well search out a tall, hollow tree (which is quite similar in many ways to your chimney). Both provide a safe place for their young seeing, providing a location in which it makes it very difficult for predators to get to and harm them.

Placing a chimney cap on your chimney is the best way, by far, to prevent animals from entering and nesting inside your chimney. A cap with wire mesh that is small enough to keep even the smallest of pests out (e.g. bats), while at the same time large enough to allow the harmful combustion byproducts (e.g. carbon monoxide) to escape is the ideal solution.

Chimney caps come in a variety of materials (e.g. copper, stainless steel, aluminum) and can be simple or ornate. Stainless steel caps generally give homeowners the most bang for their buck, as they are not impacted by the elements as much as are the other materials. Aluminum caps can and will eventually rust and need to be replaced. Shiny and more-expensive copper caps will slowly weather and eventually end up the same color as the State of Liberty due to weathering, although some homeowners may actually prefer this natural patina and will be willing to fork over the extra money for it. The selected material is purely a personal preference.

Animal carcasses and their nesting materials can block off (partially or fully) the flue, which creates a dangerous situation in which carbon monoxide and other lethal gases are unable to vacate the home safely. Hence, keeping animals out of your chimney is crucial! The chimney professionals at Young’s Chimney Service are always here to help keep your chimney functioning safely and efficiently for as long as possible. We know how hard it can be to trust someone with the safety and well being of your home and family. But with Young’s, you can rest assured that your family will be taken care of as if it were ours.