You know how a sign that says “WET PAINT” often has the opposite of the intended effect? After you see the sign, you want to touch the wet paint. You almost can’t help yourself. It’s human nature. We wonder if a sign at the top of your chimney that said “ANIMALS: KEEP OUT” would do the same type of thing. Would mice, squirrels, raccoons, bats, birds, and other critters stay away? Or try harder to get in your chimney? Is it animal nature?
It’s not just mice, squirrels, and raccoons to worry about.
One unwanted visitor that presents a special challenge is the chimney swift. Chimney swifts are challenging because they enjoy special protections by law and regulation. Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney can help you deal with chimney swifts that might try to use your chimney as a nesting site.
Chimney swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Professional chimney sweeps understand this and how to deal with chimney swifts. Our sweeps are professionally trained, and they know the correct protocols and practices regarding swifts.
A careful inspection by a qualified professional is a common-sense approach to critter control. Instead of relying on guesswork or possibly erroneous conclusions, rely on Old Smokey’s pros to discern your chimney’s situation.
Have Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney inspect and sweep your chimney.
With or without the possibility of small-animal intrusions, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends an annual chimney inspection and cleaning. As we inspect your chimney, we will look for evidence of critters.
The most common way to keep animals out of your chimney is the proper installation of a chimney cap. An efficient chimney cap can be made of stainless steel, galvanized black steel, copper, or aluminum. A chimney cap can be square, rectangular, oval, or round. Whatever the material or the shape, a chimney cap can be a valuable resource in keeping out animals.
When you get a new chimney cap, consider both form and function. Old Smokey’s can help you make the right choice, and we can make sure it is properly installed. A chimney cap needs to be mounted securely and evenly so it can guard your chimney from animal intrusions. In other words, you’ll want a qualified and experienced Old Smokey’s professional to install your chimney cap.
Count on us!
Our 30+ years of experience testifies to the trust Old Smokey’s has built throughout northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio, and mid-south Michigan. We are proud of the thousands of satisfied customers who have benefited from our professionalism over the years.
Call 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539, or schedule an appointment online. We’ll be happy to share our wealth of experience with respect to uninvited nonhuman visitors, whether they have wings or paws or fur or feathers, in your home’s chimney system. Better yet, Old Smokey’s has some solutions in mind. Let’s cap off this discussion by leaving one thought in your mind: chimney cap. Do you need one?