We thought it was the logs at first (I'd grabbed some damp ones from the shed). Nope. By day three, the whole living room reeked, and I could hear faint buzzing from the flue. Turns out, a squirrel had wedged itself up there months back, couldn't get out, and croaked.
Spotting and Handling Animal Removal from Chimney Before It Goes South
You hear scratching at dawn? Or that telltale thump like something's testing the damper? That's your cue for animal removal from chimney. Raccoons love the warmth up top, squirrels drop in chasing acorns. In my case, it escalated fast to dead animal removal from chimney—trust me, don't wait for the flies. The tech who came out (from a outfit like those humane wildlife folks on Reddit threads) used a long pole with a hook, fished the poor guy down into a plastic bag. Humane, quick, no mess in the firebox. Cost me $325, including sealing the entry with mesh. (And yeah, I felt bad—squirrels are just fuzzy opportunists, but better them out than turning your den into a biohazard.)
If it's alive, animal in chimney removal means coaxing it down with lights or one-way doors. Pros spray repellents too, to nix fleas hitching a ride. One story from a Cincinnati forum: guy had a raccoon family; eviction paste did the trick overnight, no traps needed. For dead animal in chimney removal, same drill—call certified sweeps who double as removers. They decontaminate with enzymes, mop up fluids. Skip DIY; gloves and masks ain't enough if it's maggot city. And cap that top—$150 extra, but worth it. I've seen nests block drafts, backing up CO like a silent killer.
When Your Chimney's Beat-Up: Finding Solid Chimney Repair Near Me
Post-removal, my sweep did a once-over and whistled—cracks spidering up the mortar from last winter's ice heave. That's when you hunt chimney repair near me. Not the fly-by-night ads; I cross-checked Yelp and BBB for chimney repair companies with CSIA certs. Landed on a chimney mason near me who tucked in the joints for $450—half what a big chain quoted. (Honest opinion: chains upsell like car salesmen; locals talk straight, like over fence chats.) Chimney companies near me vary—some bundle repairs with cleans, saving 20%. My best chimney repair near me pick? Family-run spots with 4.8 stars, not the 3.2 "miracle workers."
If it's leaning or crumbling, chimney rebuild near me jumps to $4,000–$15,000 full monty. Partial? $1,000–$3,500 above the roofline. Chimney repair specialists handle the heavy lifts—tuckpointing bricks, fixing flashing. One neighbor skipped it; water rotted her rafters, $2k more in roof fixes. Don't be her. For gas inserts, chimney repair experts swap dampers cheap, $200–$400. And top rated chimney repair near me? Look for reviews mentioning "no mess, fair price." Mine left zero soot, just a crisp draft.
Upgrading the Works: Chimney Relining Near Me and Beyond
That squirrel hadn't just died—he'd scratched gouges in the old clay liner, letting creosote flake off like dandruff. Pros flagged it: time for the chimney relining near me. Clay tiles crack from heat cycles; mine needed stainless steel flex liner, $2,500 installed. (Cheaper than rebuild, lasts 50 years.) Chimney restoration near me crews pour cast-in-place if you're on a budget—$1,000–$5,000, seals gaps without demo. Tips from the forums: measure flue twice (height from smoke shelf to crown), pick heavy-wall for wood burns. Chimney repair and restoration often bundles waterproofing—$150–$500 sealant keeps rain from spalling bricks.
For full glow-up, chimney restoration services resurface crowns, add crickets to divert water. Chimney fixing near me? Start with flashing reseal, $200–$300. Fireplace and chimney repairs tie in—my damper stuck post-critter, fixed for $150. Chimney repair service near me pros video the flue first; spots leaks early. Chimney repairs in my area run $250–$1,200 average, but urban spots hike 20% for scaffolding. Local chimney services shine here—quicker response, know the quake codes if you're West Coast. (One admission: I balked at the liner price initially. Regret it? Nah—now it pulls like a dream, no more backdrafts.)
Keeping It Clean: The Scoop on Chimney Sweep Services Near Me
Can't fix what you don't see, right? Enter chimney sweep services near me. Annual ritual now for me—$150–$375 for a level 1 clean and peek. Chimney sweep service scrubs creosote (that tarry gunk squirrels love nesting in). Chimney sweep companies near me like the ones in Phoenix reviews—prompt, no upcharge for cameras. Chimney sweep service cost? $160 average here, but bundles drop to $225 with inspection. Chimney sweep prices spike for two-story stacks—add $50–$100.
Chimney cleaning and inspection is the hero—caught my spalled crown early, saved a $1k repair. Reviews rave about pros who explain pics, not just hose and go. (Slightly controversial: Some say gas-only needs it every three years. Me? I do yearly—peace of mind beats a $20k fire claim.)
Quick Hits: Your Burning Questions on Chimney Nightmares
What's the deal with animal removal from chimney near me—how much?
$200–$500, depending on critter size. Live one's cheaper; dead adds decon $100.
Dead animal in chimney—wait it out or call?
Call. Decomp takes weeks, smell sticks months. Pros hook it out same day.
Chimney repair cost for basics?
$250–$750 minor fixes. Full reline? $1k–$5k. Get three quotes—prices swing wild.
Best way to pick chimney sweep service?
CSIA-certified, 4.5+ stars. Ask for video inspection; skips surprises.
Wrapping the Hearth: Don't Let Critters or Cracks Ruin Your Cozy
Looking back, that stinky October taught me chimneys aren't set-it-and-forget-it. They're like old friends—need checking, patching, the occasional eviction. (Philosophical aside: Funny how something as simple as a fire pit ties us to winters past, granddad's stories crackling away. But ignore the upkeep, and it bites back—literally.) I've got a cap now, liner gleaming, and yeah, the s'mores taste sweeter. If your flue's whispering warnings, grab the phone. Local pros wait—tell 'em the squirrel survivor sent ya. Might snag a discount, or at least a laugh. Light safe, folks. Winter's knocking.
