There are many nature lovers out there, and if you’re one of them, you appreciate all the different species of birds, animals, and even insects. But as great as all these critters are when you’re out hiking, you don’t want them in your house. You may think that your house is safe from animals getting in, but there is one place that makes entering your house easy. The chimney. There’s a good reason to keep birds and animals out of your chimney. Luckily, there is a way to secure your chimney to keep them out. All it takes is a phone call to Owens Chimney Systems to set up an appointment to have us come in and check out the state of your chimney cap.
Damage from Birds and Animals
You may wonder why having birds or animals in your chimney is a big deal. First, they can be a nuisance. One reason that these creatures inhabit your chimney is because they are looking for a safe place to raise a family. Your chimney is a perfect spot, warm, dry, and out of the elements. This seems like a good thing, but when the babies are born they can be very loud for several weeks. There can be an odor from the droppings and the food that the parents are bringing in for the babies, or if one happens to die. Their droppings can carry mites, ticks, or other pests that can cause health issues.
Another problem with having animals inhabit your chimney is the nest that they will leave behind. After the babies are gone and the parents leave, the nest stays behind. As the nest dries, it can cause a blockage in your chimney that will inhibit the airflow, which will make your fireplace less efficient. Worse still, the dried nest could easily catch a stray spark, and that can lead to a devastating chimney fire. This can especially be a problem because not all chimney fires are big enough to be detected, but can still cause damage to your chimney. If damage exists, it could be allowing dangerous chemicals to be filtering back into your house, causing health issues for you and your family or your pets.
What to Do
If you have critters getting into your chimney, the problem is probably your chimney cap. The chimney cap sits on top of your chimney and is specially designed with a slanted roof to keep the rain out. It also has metal mesh sides which allows smoke to exit the house while keeping animals and other debris out of the house. When you call Owens Chimney Systems, we’ll check out the condition of your chimney cap and offer advice on a replacement if necessary. We carry a wide variety of caps to fit the look of your home, so give us a call today if you’re experiencing animals in your chimney and we’ll make sure to set you up with the chimney cap that’s perfect for your needs.