I Hear Stuff Falling In My Chimney? Top 73 Best Answers

It’s finally spring! Sunshine and warm temperatures aren’t the only things spring brings us. It also brings us visitors who love living in your chimneys. Much of our animal-related phone calls are because a homeowner either hears strange noises or because they’ve seen one. The most common animals that will take up residence in your chimney are raccoons, chimney sweeps, squirrels and bats. At Hancock Chimney Service, we humanely evacuate animals from the chimney.

raccoons

Raccoons like to climb up chimneys because they resemble trees. Female raccoons give birth in early spring and are placed in the hood so they can give birth in a safe place. Once the litter is delivered, the babies usually remain on the smoke shelf. If you suspect raccoons live in your chimney, you can try turning on a radio very loud in hopes that it will scare them away. If this doesn’t deter them, you may need to call a professional. After the raccoon has gone, it is important that the chimney is swept to remove any droppings or nesting material it may have left behind.

chimney sweeper

Swifts are small gray birds that can survive in your chimney because they fly up and down the chimney vertically. It’s easy to tell if you have swifts by listening for their fast, high-pitched chirping. Common swifts usually arrive between April and May and typically migrate back to Peru by October. Did you know these birds are a federally protected species? Under the Migratory Bird Contract Act, swifts must not be disturbed and anyone caught doing so may be penalized. This protection can be a headache for many homeowners, as chimney sweeps can’t help until the birds have gone. Once they’re gone, it’s best to install a chimney cowl to keep the swifts from returning to their nests.

Squirrels & Bats

Sometimes squirrels or bats also come up the chimney. Like raccoons, squirrels see the chimney as a tree. During the winter months, squirrels may enter your chimney in hopes of finding warmth. Bats fly into chimneys because they are so high off the ground and because they can easily enter them. If you have squirrels or bats living in your chimney, don’t try to light a fire to make them go away. For squirrels, try hanging a rope from the top of your chimney. The squirrel will most likely climb up the rope and disappear. Consult a professional about bats as, like swifts, they are a protected species and it is illegal to manipulate them.

If you or someone you know has a problem with animal visitors, contact us to drive those unwanted guests away today!

Why is debris from my chimney falling into my chimney?

Imaginations can run wild when unexpected things happen around the house, and debris falling from the chimney is one of them. The best way to allay fears is to get the facts. When it comes to chimney deposits, depending on the cause of the problem, it’s usually time for some sort of chimney service. Below are some of the possible reasons why dirt often falls out of your chimney.

old chimney?

If you live in an old house, the chimney may be crumbling due to a thin layer of mortar lining it. Before building code requirements for chimneys changed in the 1960s, many chimneys were plastered with a thin layer of mortar. Over time, the material begins to crumble. The best solution is to install a new liner. Most chimney experts recommend a stainless steel liner, many of which carry a lifetime guarantee. Installing the liner makes your home safer and also prevents debris from falling down your chimney.

Missing chimney top?

Chimney caps, or chimney cowls, are accessories that provide several benefits, including preventing moisture and debris from entering your chimney. If things fall through the chimney, it could be due to the missing chimney cap. During storms, leaves and twigs often end up in chimneys, even if there are no trees in the immediate vicinity.

The problem of debris could be caused by living beings. Animals often climb up chimneys that don’t have a chimney cap. The caps are usually made of mesh to keep animals out, and acting as a spark arrestor is another advantage of the mesh material.

Birds like to build nests in chimneys, and raccoons like to give birth in chimneys. An animal in your chimney means feces could fall down your chimney. Contact a chimney professional if any of the issues above or below apply to your situation.

Dangerous obstacles?

Deposits in your chimney can mean your chimney is clogged, which is extremely dangerous! Everyone

Chimney clogs also allow toxic gases to enter the home, including deadly carbon monoxide.

Chimney maintenance required?

Another reason for debris falling from the chimney is summer, when air often rushes down chimneys, which is the opposite of activity as it is in winter. As a result, pieces of creosote and soot often seep down the chimney in a dirty chimney.

Contact chimney specialists

For help diagnosing chimney problems such as debris falls, remodeling, chimney crown repairs, flashing repairs and chimney leak repairs. We also sell stove products and offer our expertise in choosing the unit that is ideal for your home. Call us today. Contact information is below.

Chimney specialists AG

869 Main Street, Highlands, WI

(608) 929-4887

Dubuque fireplace & patio

925 Century Drive, Dubuque, Iowa

(563) 582-5156

Have you used your fireplace often? Do you notice that it doesn’t work as well as it used to? You may have a buildup of chimney creosote.

Creosote is a black, tar-like substance that forms in your chimney when the smoke doesn’t fully escape. When it builds up, creosote can cause chimney fires, which can then lead to house fires.

Fortunately, a professional chimney sweep can help solve the problem.

What is creosote?

Creosote is a type of soot that can build up in your chimney when you use your wood-burning fireplace. The wood will burn and produce smoke which may contain creosote. If the smoke doesn’t rise fast enough, the creosote can build up in your chimney.

Creosote starts out somewhat easy to clean and remove. However, as it builds up, it turns into a more tar-like substance. Consider the three stages of creosote.

Stage 1: First grade creosote

Stage 1 Creosote is a thin layer of flakes. When you first use your fireplace or wood stove, the smoke leaves some creosote deposits. At this point, the issue is not urgent, but it can cause problems over time.

If you don’t take care of the creosote at this stage, it can evolve into the second stage. While you can get rid of level 1 creosote with at-home products, level 2 is a bit more difficult.

Stage 2: Second grade creosote

At this stage, the creosote looks more like tar. It may still look like flakes, but you can’t remove it as easily as before. You may be able to remove it yourself with some tools, but you should consider hiring a chimney sweep to get rid of everything.

Your fireplace and chimney can still be saved, but you should act immediately. That way the creosote doesn’t get to the third stage.

Stage 3: Third grade creosote

Third degree creosote is thick and looks like tar. It is more concentrated and this type of creosote is more likely to cause chimney fires. The creosote restricts air movement in the chimney and the thickness means the column of air in the chimney is smaller.

At this point you need to contact a professional chimney sweep. You may be able to remove the creosote, but doing so can damage your chimney liner. It is usually better to replace your chimney liner.

What causes chimney creosote?

A few things can cause chimney creosote, such as slow-burning wood. If your wood doesn’t burn fast enough, smoke and air will take longer to escape from the chimney. Your wood can burn slowly if the chimney isn’t hot enough, so try heating it to 250 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter.

Wet wood can also cause chimney creosote because it doesn’t heat up as much as dry wood. Unseasoned wood usually has more moisture than seasoned wood and this can keep the wood from getting as hot.

Another problem is the incomplete combustion that occurs when there is not enough oxygen. The smoke cannot rise, providing the perfect environment for creosote.

Dangers of creosote formation

When creosote builds up in your chimney, it can do a lot of damage. While the different stages present unique risks, any amount of creosote is problematic. When creosote builds up on the side of your chimney, it can prevent smoke and air from escaping.

This can build up toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Using your fireplace may put you and your family at risk of inhaling toxins, but that’s not the only concern.

Chimney creosote can also cause chimney fires. Creosote is very flammable, so if it catches fire it can spread to your roof or other parts of your home.

How much creosote is too dangerous?

It doesn’t take a lot of creosote to be dangerous. Once the creosote builds up, it can be a problem. However, level 2 and 3 creosote is worse than level 1.

You can remove level 1 creosote with a brush or chimney cleaning protocol. But stages 2 and 3 are too thick or heavy for you to remove yourself.

Level 3 creosote is particularly dangerous as it can severely restrict the flow of air out of your chimney. But even stage 2 creosote is a problem as it can quickly transition to stage 3.

How do you get rid of creosote?

If you use your fireplace frequently, you should brush it every week or use a cleaning protocol. This allows you to get rid of level 1 creosote before it progresses. After using a cleaning log, be sure to sweep the bottom of your fireplace to keep the loose creosote from catching fire.

However, you may not be able to get rid of everything. When any of the creosote reach level 2 or 3, you need to hire a chimney sweep. The chimney sweep can carry out an inspection to check the condition of your chimney.

Then they can determine the creosote stage and take the right steps to get rid of it.

How can you minimize creosote buildup?

Preventing creosote buildup can be almost impossible, but you can minimize it. Use seasoned wood, which has less moisture than fresh wood. The drier wood burns faster and the smoke rises faster and easier.

You should also clean your chimney regularly to prevent build-up. Homeowners can hire a professional chimney sweep each year before using the fireplace. This way you can make sure everything is secure and ready to go.

However, you can use a brush or cleaning logs throughout the burn season to minimize buildup. If you use your fireplace often, you should hire a chimney sweep after a few months.

How to treat creosote deposits

If you’re unable to prevent or minimize the build-up of chimney creosote, you have a few treatment options. You can try at-home products to get rid of stage 1 creosote. Logs and brushes can get rid of some creosote quickly, but they’re not the most effective options.

If the creosote deteriorates, you should contact a professional chimney sweep. This way you can get an inspection and a professional cleaning. Treating creosote yourself can be dangerous, but a chimney sweep can do the job.

Do you need someone to clean or check your chimney? Make an appointment with a chimney sweep today.

You bought your home for the charming red brick exterior and quaint brick fireplace. But now the face of some of these bricks is looking worn. It’s like someone knocking off the bricks! This is a condition called brick chipping.

Rebuilding a brick chimney could cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re normally a do-it-yourself enthusiast but have no bricklaying experience, you might want to reconsider the do-it-yourself mindset on a project of this magnitude. The renovation of chimneys is a highly skilled profession.

Don’t worry if you have the skills, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to prevent brick damage and repair chipped bricks. Read on to learn everything you need to know to turn crumbling bricks back into the gorgeous red brickwork you fell in love with!

no The wool is treated with ‘Ionic Protect’, a very clever treatment that changes the ionic charge of the wool fiber so that the moth doesn’t even recognize it as wool. She doesn’t even try to lay her eggs on it. It’s chemical-free, permanent, completely harmless and awesome.

We used to treat our wool with borax. This is actually a fire retardant treatment that coats the fiber with small crystals that cause the moth larvae to die if they eat them. This means the larvae need to eat a small amount of the wool to die, which over a longer period of time can result in larger amounts of the product being eaten. We were not happy with this option and invested many resources in finding a more efficient moth solution. We are fortunate to work with Isolenawolle in Austria, who have a unique patented method of treating the wool with what is known as Ionic Protect. This changes the ionic charge of the wool fibers and the moths no longer recognize them as wool. It’s chemical free, it’s permanent and it’s very effective – we’re excited to have the opportunity to use it. All products sold from January 2019 have been treated with Ionic Protect.

Chimneys can be an “entrance” for moths, particularly where birds are nesting at the top, as moth larvae are found in bird nests and either fall down as larvae or find their way down as newly hatched moths, particularly if they overwinter in the chimney. A Chimney Sheep® will block moths to a certain extent, but we recommend that you sweep your chimney regularly as part of good chimney management. You can actually enhance the Chimney Sheep®’s role as a moth blocker by spraying it with Lavender Anti Moth Spray – this will last for six months. So if visitors think they might try to get in via the chimney, they’ll think differently when they come a whiff of lavender.

There’s a lot that goes into installing a wood-burning stove – once you’ve decided on your favorite style, you need to make sure all the pieces are in their right place!

Smoke tubes for wood stoves are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. They are somewhat of the backbone of your stove and are responsible for allowing you to burn your fuel effectively and safely.

But you may be wondering exactly what a fireplace insert is and if you even need one. In this guide we cover:

What exactly is a fireplace insert?

Why you need to cover your chimney

How to find out what size, style and length to buy

About how much it will cost

Read on to find out everything you need to know about wood-burning stoves with our expert guide!

What is a fireplace insert?

First things first, what exactly is a fireplace insert?

A fireplace insert is exactly what it sounds like! Also often referred to as a chimney liner, a chimney liner is a flexible tube that connects to your stovepipe to line the inside of your chimney. It runs the full length of your chimney and carries the fumes up your flue pipe rather than releasing them directly into your chimney cavity.

How do I know if I have a chimney insert?

When you first use your chimney, you should have it checked by a professional – to make sure it’s working safely, with no leaks or blockages. A chimney inspector can tell you if your chimney is lined and if your liner is in good condition to be used.

What is the purpose of a fireplace insert?

The main purpose of a fireplace insert is:

increase efficiency

Help keep your chimney clean

improve security

Of course, these three reasons are all very closely related!

First, let’s look at efficiency. Old unlined chimneys are generally cold because they are uninsulated. This makes it difficult for the hot smoke to rise, so it often condenses before it reaches the top of the flue. This can cause water vapor to build up – which can lead to moisture – and result in heavier smoke.

See also: Common causes of dampness in your chimney and what to do about it

This leads us to cleanliness. The heavier smoke will foul your chimney walls in the form of creosote. Creosote is incredibly difficult to remove, so it can cause blockages if it builds up.

Eventually this becomes a security issue. Blockages are a very common cause of chimney fires. A lined chimney will also protect you from carbon monoxide leaks. If cracks form in your chimney that you are not aware of, dangerous fumes can escape. A fireplace insert offers increased protection against this.

Do I really need a chimney liner for a wood-burning fireplace?

We’ve seen why, but is a chimney liner really necessary for a wood stove? After all, there are no laws that specifically state that you must line your chimney as long as you meet Document J building code requirements.

Firstly you need to be aware that a liner should not be used in place of a suitable chimney – if your chimney is damaged you will still need to have it repaired even if you have a liner.

See also: Are there building regulations for a wood-burning stove?

Second, while not mandatory, chimney liners are highly recommended by most stove installers, and with good reason.

Along with improved safety, cleanliness and efficiency, one of the main benefits of fitting your stove with a fireplace insert is better performance. Pretty much all stoves work better with the help of an insert – you’ll have fewer problems with draughts, draughts, lighting your fire and maintaining a good burn.

So you can install a log burner without a flue, but it’s best not to. A fireplace insert will serve you well over the long term by protecting your chimney and saving you money on repairs that can result from disuse.

Buy fireplaces now

What size fireplace insert do I need?

While it is not a legal requirement to have your chimney lined, if you choose to do so there are regulations you must follow to ensure you do it safely. One of them is the size of the fireplace insert that you use with your stove.

When purchasing a new stove, the manufacturer should specify what size chimney liner to use with it. Always use the recommended flue size for your specific wood burner – never use any smaller than required as this is a serious safety hazard.

The general rule is as follows:

A minimum 6 inch diameter chimney is required for a stove up to 20 kW.

You can use a 5 inch diameter fireplace insert if you have a DEFRA approved stove and the manufacturer clearly states that it is compatible.

The size of the stove sleeve does not necessarily correspond to the size of the fireplace insert required. If your stove sleeve (where you attach the stovepipe) is 5″ but you need a 6″ flue insert, adapters are available for this.

When it comes to length, you need to make sure your chimney pipe is long enough to go from the top to the bottom of your chimney. Gluing two separate pieces together is against the regulations – and unsafe – so order too much rather than too little! A chimney sweep should be able to easily measure the length of your chimney for you – just let them know you want it before they sweep.

To make things easier we ensure that when ordering a fireplace insert pack with your Direct Stoves stove you receive the correct diameter of fireplace insert and required adapter – simply select from the drop down menu when ordering your stove!

Check out our flue parts and adapters to find out what you need to connect your insert to your stove.

What kind of fireplace insert do I need?

Chimneys were lined with clay as early as the 1960s. Today, most chimneys are lined with flexible steel liners. With a solid fuel stove, make sure you choose the right type – do not use one designed for a gas fireplace or stove as they will not be safe.

There are two different qualities of chimney liners:

316 grade – this is cheaper but good to use if you only burn seasoned wood

– this is cheaper but good to use if you only burn seasoned wood in grade 904 – more expensive but also more durable. You should use this variety if you plan to burn charcoal frequently

See also: Stacking, storing, and seasoning firewood

How much do chimney linings cost?

The cost of lining your chimney depends a lot on what diameter you need, how long you need it and what quality you choose.

For example, our 5″ diameter 316 Dura Flue would cost around £102 for 6 metres.

Our 6″ diameter Dura Flue 904 would cost around £181 for 6 metres.

A craftsman can charge around £100-250 an hour to carry out the work as they may need to bring scaffolding – plus this is a two person job! You may also need to factor in the cost of a chimney sweep of €50 to €80 first if this is not factored in by your plumbers.

Overall, fitting a chimney liner for your stove is a wise decision! It is:

safer

More efficient and;

cleanser

Buy fireplace inserts at Direct Stoves!

At Direct Stoves we can source all the parts you need to safely assemble your wood burner. Take a look at our wood stove chimney liners for quality products today!

For more stove installation tips, visit the Direct Stoves blog…

Why you need to sweep your chimney | How to have a wood stove without a chimney | Why does my wood stove keep going out?

Exactly how much air is drawn out of your chimney depends on the “chimney effect,” which refers to the movement of air in and out of buildings. It is affected by various factors, such as the height of your home and the difference in temperature between inside and outside.

When you live in a tall house, the heating is on and the outside temperature is cold, you essentially create a large “chimney effect” – and a lot of air rises up your chimney.

When this warm air rises, it needs to be replaced. This is how cold air is drawn in, usually from doors and windows, creating the cool draft you can feel (and hear when it’s windy).

By eliminating drafts, you can keep your home nice and cozy. You also use less heating, which is a win-win: you reduce your bills and help the planet. The climate is changing due to greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities and heating buildings currently accounts for more than a third of emissions in the UK.

Skyscrapers manage the “stacking effect” by having revolving doors instead of regular doors to create a “seal” on the building. But what can you do to make your chimney strong? You have a few options…

What Causes Chimney Fires?

Most chimney fires are caused by a dirty chimney.

We’re often asked, “What’s that black stuff in my chimney?” Well, any time you burn wood, there are by-products of combustion, and those by-products include creosote and soot. That’s what you see – and it’s not good.

Soot needs to be cleaned out of the chimney regularly, but the by-product of wood burning that concerns us most when it comes to chimney fires is creosote.

Here’s why…

When you burn wood, the smoke produced by the fire contains unburned wood particles. The smoke cools as it travels down the chimney, leaving condensation in the form of creosote on the walls of the flue hood.

Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky, tarry, dripping and sticky, or shiny and hardened. Initially, the buildup can be light and easy to remove. But with every fire you burn in your fireplace, creosote can build up, thicken, and glaze.

Of course, creosote is corrosive and can damage the fireplace insert over time, but the real problem is its high flammability. Because creosote is formed from unburned wood particles, all forms of creosote are highly combustible. If the temperature in the chimney is right, the creosote inside could ignite and cause a chimney fire.

And if you’re thinking that the temperature in the chimney would have to get extremely hot for creosote to ignite – think again. Creosote can ignite at temperatures as low as 451 degrees F (for context, a fire in your fireplace can burn over 450 degrees F), and even a buildup of creosote as small as 1/8 inch is considered sufficient to start a chimney fire.

Now you might be thinking, “Big deal. Aren’t chimneys capable of withstanding a small fire?” Well, the answer is no. Chimneys are meant to contain smoke, not fire.

In fact, in a matter of seconds or minutes, a fire in your chimney could expand and crack the tile liner, allowing heat and fire to travel through the brickwork to the attic, nearby walls, and other combustible materials in the home. And so a chimney fire quickly spreads to a full-blown house fire.

But creosote isn’t the only thing responsible for chimney fouling and increasing the risk of a dangerous chimney fire…

Combustible blockages from bird nests and other debris can also cause a chimney fire. And it’s not uncommon to find nesting material in a chimney either. Although many people are unaware, an uncapped chimney is a welcome place for birds, raccoons, squirrels, and other creatures. These critters bring with them nesting material, fur, feathers and droppings, all of which can clog the chimney, foul the flue and lead to a chimney fire.

Again, most chimney fires are preventable. All you have to do to avoid chimney fires associated with dirty chimneys is schedule annual inspections and cleanings as needed and make sure your chimney is properly sealed. Dead easy.

You wake up in the morning to a terrible smell coming from your fireplace. There’s no question that something died in your chimney. But how did the animal get in there?

Dead animal in the chimney: what homeowners need to know

How do you dispose of a dead animal? Most importantly, how do you get rid of that dead animal in the chimney smell? First, let’s take a look at how they get there in the first place.

How animals get into chimneys

It’s not uncommon for smaller animals to end up up your chimney. Squirrels, raccoons and mice are always looking for cool, dark places to nest or hide, and chimneys serve their purpose well. The problem arises when they can no longer get out. Newer chimneys are lined with metal boxes, not the brick liners found in older homes. The metal gives the animal no way to hold on, meaning that once it’s down there, it’s stuck with no access to food or water. The result? The bad smell coming from the chimney flies around the opening of the chimney or chimney or even around unusual liquids.

How to remove the dead animal

Nobody wants to leave a dead animal in a fireplace chimney. Aside from smell, the decomposition process can bring more unwanted pests into your home and expose you and your family to potential diseases and illnesses.

There are two ways to access the beast in your chimney if you want to do it yourself. If the body is near the bottom of the chimney, the easiest way is to open the damper all the way and look in the area above the firebox with a flashlight. When the corpse is closer to the top, you need to climb onto the roof and use a chimney pole and a hook to grab the corpse from above.

Be sure to wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and regular shoes to protect yourself from any bugs or bodily fluids you might encounter.

Unfortunately, if the corpse is wedged between the fireplace and the surrounding brick, you may not be able to access it. In this case, you need to hire a professional to do it for you.

How to dispose of a dead animal

It is important that you dispose of dead animals promptly and properly. Depending on where you live, you may not be able to dispose of the animal yourself. Check with your local animal welfare agency about what to do with the carcass once you have it.

Meanwhile, make sure the carcass is wrapped to contain the body fluids. Throw away any towels or paper used to wipe up the liquids when you removed the carcass from the chimney to protect your family from any illness or disease that may have developed from the decomposing body.

How to get rid of the smell of dead animals

Again, to remove blood and other bodily fluids and the associated odors, make sure you wear gloves and promptly dispose of any materials used in mopping to ensure no one else has access to the biological hazard.

There are several products on the market that will eliminate both the odor and stains that are left behind when you remove a dead animal from your chimney, but you may need to go no further than your pantry or refrigerator. Here are some best practices for cleaning without having to buy additional products:

corn starch . Cornstarch absorbs both the body fluids and the lingering odor. Pour cornstarch directly over the stains and leave on for 15 minutes. Mop up and repeat several times until the stain and odor begin to disappear.

coke . Yes, your favorite beverage can actually help remove both the stain and the odor. Soak the stain with Coke and watch the bubbles melt the stain away.

WD-40 . The spray that removes squeaks from your door hinges will also remove any stain you might have if an animal died in your chimney. Simply spray WD-40 over the stain, enough to soak, wait 15 minutes, then wipe away.

Once the stain is wiped up, the odor may linger. To deal with the smell, try the method some use after a hurricane. When people were evacuated from their homes ahead of the hurricane, they left food in their refrigerators. Power was off for weeks before homeowners could return to begin the cleanup process, resulting in rotting groceries contaminating refrigerators. Instead of throwing away the fridges, smart homeowners used regular newspaper to get rid of the smell. They filled their fridges with crumpled newspaper and changed it out every 15 minutes. Within an hour the smell was gone and the fridges were as good as new.

Do the same for smells in your chimney or fireplace. Crumble newspaper and stuff it up the chimney. Remove and replace every 15 minutes until the smell goes away – usually it takes an hour. Properly dispose of the discarded newspaper so that no one can reach it.

Call Capitol Chimney

There’s no question that seeing an animal die in your chimney is both heartbreaking and a mess. Dealing with it yourself is often the first option, but if you’d rather not clean it up yourself, remember that Capitol Chimney’s professionals are experienced at getting rid of this type of mess quickly and cleanly, without you having to worry have to take care of it.

Unlike other home fires, chimney fires can go undetected. Of the approximately 7,000 chimney fires that occur in England each year, many are slow burning fires which may not be obvious and may only be discovered on inspection. Regular chimney inspections can help prevent a fire in your home, but it’s also important to know what to do if you suspect a chimney fire. Here are some of the most common signs of a chimney fire to look out for.

Signs of a fast burning chimney fire

If you have a fast-burning log fire in your home, it will be obvious. The most common signs of this type of chimney fire are:

flames or sparks. One of the most obvious signs of a chimney fire is visible flames, usually visible from the top of the chimney. It is also possible that you will notice burning pieces of creosote coming out of the chimney, even if you cannot see the flames directly.

A loud cracking, popping or roaring. When your chimney is burning, you may hear a loud noise that resembles a bonfire burning. You may also notice a sudden rumble, similar to a large oncoming vehicle.

Lots of smoke. As with most fires, a chimney fire produces a lot of dense smoke. This can be seen from the top of the chimney or fireplace in your home.

A strong smell. If there is a strong smell of burning in your home, it may mean you have a chimney fire.

Signs of a slow burning chimney fire

If you’ve had a slow-burning chimney fire in your property, you may not even know it happened until your chimney is inspected. This type of chimney fire generally occurs when combustible substances down the sides of your chimney do not have enough oxygen or fuel to create a noticeable fire. The most common signs of this type of chimney fire are:

color changes. If the creosote turns gray or the metal parts discolour, this can be a sign of a slow-burning chimney fire.

cracks and damage. A slow-burning fire can cause damage to various parts of the chimney structure, including the smoke vent bricks and exterior brickwork, or damage to surrounding roof structures such as vents or television antennas.

Pieces of creosote outside the chimney. If you notice chunks of creosote on the floor or roof, it may be a sign of excessive heat caused by a slow-burning chimney fire.

What to do if you notice signs of a chimney fire?

If you see signs of a fast-burning chimney fire in your home, you must leave the property immediately and call 999. It’s a good idea to keep a copy of your home insurance policy digitally or in a safe place off the property so you can access it in the event of a fire.

If you notice any of the usual signs of a slow-burning chimney fire, you should have your chimney cleaned out as soon as possible. Well-maintained chimneys are very unlikely to catch fire, so the best way to prevent a chimney fire in your home is to keep your chimney clean and tidy.

Each editorial product is independently selected, although we may receive compensation or receive an affiliate commission if you purchase something through our links. Ratings and prices are correct and items are in stock at the time of publication.

If noises from your chimney make you wonder what’s going on there, you might have unwanted animals that need to be expelled.

Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

If you have an animal in your chimney, chances are it has built (or will build) a nest filled with food, droppings, and maybe even babies.

Chuck Roydhouse, retired Anne Arundel County Clean Sweep owner and past president of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, says if your chimney isn’t plugged, “You’re exposing your home to risks like rabies, fleas, ticks, roundworms, etc. bites.” Also histoplasmosis, a fungal infection of the lungs caused by bird droppings.” He warns that any scratching or pecking animal can damage the chimney itself.

When an animal is in your chimney, you will hear a lot of rustling, scratching, clawing and flapping. Chirping and even crying indicate a nest full of babies. You may also notice a foul odor coming from the chimney, likely from feces or a decomposing animal. If the flap has been left open, you will likely see debris such as droppings, feathers and nesting material on the chimney bottom. That’s why it’s so important to keep your mouth shut during the off-season.

Conclusion: an animal cannot settle in your chimney. It must be removed for the health and safety of your home and family.

Bats in the chimney

Bats live in burrows and frequent areas of your home similar to your chimney to hang upside down and protect themselves and their young from predators. Bats are most active at dusk and dawn. Then you may see bats going in or out of your chimney and also hear noises inside.

how to get rid of them

Before you do anything else, make sure the chimney damper is completely closed to keep bats from flying into your home. Try to identify the entrances and exits at the chimney and install an exclusion or one-way door that allows bats to fly out but not back in. If that doesn’t work, seek professional help as there are strict rules for removing bats from your home.

mice in the chimney

Natural predators force mice to seek safe shelter, like your chimney. Mice are mostly nocturnal, so you’ll know you have mice up your chimney when you hear them at night. If you look closely you may see tiny footprints in the ash at the bottom of the fireplace if you left the damper open.

how to get rid of them

Getting rid of mice is a two-step process, says Wesley Wheeler, owner of Bug Lord. First find out how the mice get in and fix those gaps and holes. “Common entrances for mice are gaps around exhaust pipes or air vents, open chimneys ​​and the eaves of your roof,” he says. Seal problem areas with steel mesh. Mice can chew through most other materials.

The second step, Wheeler says, involves opening the hatch and setting no-kill traps, or the traditional snap trap, in or around the chimney.

Zachary Smith, President of Smith’s Pest Management, says: “Never use poison to kill animals in and around your chimney. It is extremely difficult to get dead animals out of the confined spaces of the chimney and the smell will be terrible!”

Birds in the chimney

Birds nest in a chimney like they nest in a hollow tree, says Smith. If the flap is left open, you can even see the bird flying around inside the fireplace.

how to get rid of them

You can scare a bird out of your chimney by making a loud noise or lighting a bright light. “Try opening the hatch and closing the chimney doors,” says Kristiana Kripena, extermination expert at InsectCop.net. “When the bird reaches the chimney, you can carefully pick it out and take it outside.”

Make sure you wear gloves and a mask, and wash your hands afterwards, as birds can carry parasites and pathogens. Fumigation of a bird is not recommended as you could kill the bird and its nesting material could pose a fire hazard. If there is a nest with eggs or babies, you should consult a wildlife control expert as there are laws protecting certain birds.

Squirrel in the chimney

Squirrels are amazing climbers, but occasionally they fall down a slippery metal chimney and get stuck. Even a female squirrel might choose your chimney to nest her babies. When the flap is open you may see acorns or other nuts on your hearth.

how to get rid of them

Getting the squirrel to climb back out of the chimney is your best bet, Kripena says. “Hang a thick (about 3/4 inch) long rope from the top of the chimney down to the flap or bottom of your chimney that the animal could use to climb out,” she says. Be sure to attach one end of the rope to the top of the chimney.

Once you’re sure the squirrel escaped, remove the rope and cap the chimney. If there are baby squirrels that cannot climb out, you must remove them by hand with a thick glove and take them outside to the mother.

Raccoon in the chimney

Raccoons especially love chimneys. Females build a nest just prior to giving birth, and urban structures are popular nesting sites. Smith says if a chimney isn’t properly shielded or sealed, a raccoon will build a nest on the closed flap. You can see the mother walking in search of food for her babies during the day.

how to get rid of them

You can get rid of a raccoon harmlessly by scaring or teasing it.

“Since raccoons are one of the few animals that can climb up your chimney despite the slippery walls, you can play music very, very loudly, which might startle the raccoon so much that they walk away on their own,” says Kripena.

You can also try raccoon expelling fluid, a natural by-product of the male raccoon – a predator for a female raccoon. When placed in a den area, the female senses that danger to her young is nearby. If these tactics don’t work, your best bet is to consult a licensed pest control professional.

Calls

Chimney Sweeps emit a rapid, chirping series of high-pitched chip notes about 3 seconds long. In flight, the chips can be so close together that they become a buzzing, insect-like chirp. In other situations, the chips can be almost half a second apart.

Other noises

When an intruder approaches near the nest, adult flukes jump backwards and flap their wings loudly several times.

With a chimney comes a pleasant fireplace, which can attract your family and friends to gather to celebrate holidays, birthdays or a cozy night inside. But the bane of a chimney is that it makes an excellent home for rodents to set up camp, causing all sorts of problems for a homeowner.

Rodents in a chimney can make anyone panic. Who are you calling? Will you choose a pest removal service or a chimney expert? As a homeowner, you may be wondering if you could save some money and do the work yourself.

Your first step before you get scared is to determine the signs of rodents in the chimney.

Noises: Scurrying, scratching, and scratching are clear signs that you have a rodent problem. While a chimney can muffle the sounds of animals living in the chimney, it doesn’t mean the animals are only exposed to that area of ​​the home. Pay close attention to noises in your walls or in the attic.

Feces: One of the most uncomfortable aspects of rodents sneaking in is their feces. These unwanted “gifts” can be found anywhere, not just by the fireplace, so keep an eye out for places where you store your groceries. When it comes to animal feces, look for signs of feces in closets, near walls, wall joists, bins, on countertops, or boxes.

Smells and Traces: If rodents have moved into your chimney, there is also a high probability that they died there as well. Decaying bodies of rats or mice give off a repulsive odor that you can smell even if it comes from inside the chimney.

Live rodents have a musky odor and you may notice small paw marks throughout the home. Sprinkled with talcum powder or flour can help you locate the type of entry.

Step one: Recognize and prevent

By identifying potential entry points into your home, you can begin sealing them off. Rats and mice nesting in the chimney may have found another way into your home and then moved up the chimney. When you light a fire in your fireplace you may notice heavy smoke accompanied by a strong smell, this could be a burning rat’s nest.

Before starting the removal process, start with some preventive measures. Seal all food containers and bags in sturdy storage bins, check your home for cracks and crevices that might allow critters to get by, and make sure nesting materials like paper are tucked away. There is no point in setting traps if the animals keep getting lost inside.

Step Two: Preparing for Pest Removal

It is advisable to call in the experts to remove rodents from your chimney, but in some cases you might get stuck even with this unpleasant task. If this is your situation, don’t worry as your local hardware store carries all the tools you need to remove pests.

A visit to the store gives you more than one option for pest traps. There are traps that kill rats or mice and others that keep them alive. It doesn’t matter which type you choose, as long as you’re comfortable using the trap you choose.

Traps can be enticing to the chimney critters when placed in the chimney and coated with the smell of cheese or peanut butter. Do not use rat poison if you have children or pets and be sure to follow package directions.

Step three: The distance

Successful traps will reward you with dead rats or mice, or if you’ve opted for live traps, you’ll have to deal with releasing the critters outside. Actually removing what you caught in the traps is the biggest downside to DIY pest control. Make sure you release what you caught outside with protective gloves. If you have used kill traps, dispose of the pests in a sealed garbage bag outdoors and away from pets.

Step Four: Lean towards your chimney

The aftermath of pest removal leaves a vulnerable and likely dirty chimney. The last thing you want is for rats, mice or any other vermin to be hiding out in your chimney again, but there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening again.

Chances are that even after you’ve walked around your home and sealed any cracks or crevices, you may very well have missed a few hidden in the chimney. Rodents could easily have gotten in through a crack in the mortar and found that the chimney was hidden far enough to provide a good spot to put up inside.

As a homeowner with a chimney and a fireplace, having your chimney checked and professionally cleaned should be on your annual checklist. This way you can ensure that no pests have made their home in it and you can have the chimney inspected by a professional technician to verify that it is working properly. A technician can also fix cracks in the mortar.

You can proactively protect your chimney from rodents and pests by installing a mesh-covered chimney cap. If you are unsure what type of cap is right for your chimney, a professional fireplace technician or chimney inspector can help you choose.

Make your home less attractive to rodents by trimming and trimming away branches hanging over the roof of your home to prevent entry points. Also, if you have a wood-burning fireplace, store firewood outside of your home to prevent critters from hiding in the logs.

Pay close attention to your chimney

If you are unsure whether rodents and other pests have made their home in your chimney, or are unaware of their presence, you may enjoy your fireplace and find that it is not venting properly. A professional mason should repair cracks and missing mortar joints.

Always pay close attention to your chimney, even if you are sure that it is free of birds, mice, rats and other animals. When a nest blocks the chimney flue, carbon monoxide can become a serious and immediate hazard. Smoke can flow back into your living space, affecting you, your family and your pets.

It is best to contact a professional to help you remove pests from your chimney. However, if this is not an option for you, you can expect the DIY pest removal process to take longer.

Most importantly, installing a cap and mesh screen in your chimney can ultimately cut off this desirable entrance. Having your chimney inspected and cleaned every year can also help prevent those future headaches.

inspection and cleaning

If there is something wrong with your chimney, we will find it and offer you the best solution. We want your home to be safe. Since 1985, Vertical Chimney Care has served thousands of homeowners with their chimney needs. Contact us today to speak to a product specialist.

How to keep rodents out of your chimney and home

Have you ever had rats or mice that you didn’t have in your house? It’s quite a disturbing sight to see a rodent scurry across the floor and disappear into a closet or under a couch. If you live in an area where there are a lot of rodents roaming around outside, we have a few tips you can use to keep them outside where they belong.

First you need to determine where the animals will come into the house. Fireplaces often offer a perfect route. Rats, mice, squirrels and other small critters like to come indoors to escape from bad weather and to find something to eat, and it is logical that they use a chimney and a fireplace as an entrance.

Here’s how to stop it

The simplest solution is often the best. In this case, the simplest solution is to install a quality chimney cowl on your chimney. Once the cap is on, the days of pests getting into the chimney opening are over.

But what if you already have a beanie, and rodents still fall into the firebox like miniature Santas? It is possible that the construction materials of your chimney show a compromise. Brick and mortar may have deteriorated in one section, leaving a gap large enough for a small animal to squeeze through. If this happened, repairing the hole will fix the problem.

It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of always closing the chimney shutter when there’s no fire burning. The damper, like all components of your fireplace and chimney, should be checked regularly to make sure everything is working properly. If your damper isn’t closing completely, it’s time to repair or replace it.

As a last precaution, keep your fireplace glass doors tightly closed when you are not using the fireplace. If you don’t have doors, buy a set. They protect against invading pests and look great.

The bigger problems with rodents and other small animals

It’s bad enough having these creatures roaming your home. But it’s far worse when they take up residence in your chimney, where they nest, have babies and, as many do, die there.

Any foreign object creates an obstruction to airflow in a chimney. The obstruction can be large enough to allow smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide into the home in a fire. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless and can kill people and pets.

Another problem with clogs caused by animals and their by-products is that there is more fuel to intensify a chimney fire. Combustible creosote, which is produced when wood is burned, must be removed from your chimney regularly. Excess creosote associated with nests and animal carcasses is a recipe for disaster.

exterminator. But if your problem is the occasional rat using your chimney as an elevator to food and warmth, these tips here should solve it.

If you have a serious rodent infestation and they are not entering through your chimney, consider renting one

Burlington Fireplace & Solar of Wisconsin wants all homeowners to be able to safely enjoy their fireplaces. That’s why we offer a full program of chimney cleaning, inspection and repair services. When it’s time to have your chimney checked, give us a call at (262) 763-3522. Or visit us at 857 Milwaukee Ave. at Burlington.