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Hearing scratching or chirping in the chimney? We safely remove birds, raccoons, and squirrels, then cap the flue so they can't come back.
Animal & Critter Removal from Cleveland Chimneys
An uncapped chimney is an open invitation to wildlife. Birds (including chimney swifts), squirrels, and raccoons all see your flue as a sheltered place to nest — and once they're in, you'll hear scratching, chirping, or flapping, smell an odor, and sometimes find debris in the firebox. Beyond the nuisance, animal nests are a serious fire hazard and can completely block the flue, pushing smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home.
Righteous Chimney & Masonry removes animals from chimneys safely and humanely, clears out the nesting material and debris they leave behind, and — most importantly — installs a cap so it can't happen again. Removing the animal without capping the chimney just leaves the door open for the next one. We solve the whole problem in one visit wherever possible.
If you're hearing noises in the chimney, it's best to act quickly — especially in nesting season. We'll assess what's living in there, remove it the right way, sweep and inspect the flue for any damage or blockage the animals caused, and cap the chimney so you don't have a repeat next spring.
Removed humanely, cleaned out, and capped so they can't return.
What animal removal includes:
- Safe removal — Birds, squirrels, and raccoons removed humanely and the situation assessed first.
- Nest & debris cleanout — Nesting material and debris cleared from the flue and firebox.
- Sweep & inspect — We sweep and inspect for blockages or damage the animals may have caused.
- Cap to keep them out — A mesh-sided cap installed so birds and critters can't get back in.
Removing an animal is only half the job — if you don't cap the chimney, the next critter moves right in. We handle the whole problem: safe removal, a full cleanout, an inspection for any damage, and a cap that closes the door for good. Done humanely and done once.
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Why Choose Righteous
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Humane Removal
We remove birds, squirrels, and raccoons safely and humanely, not destructively.
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Full Cleanout
Nesting material and debris cleared so your flue is clean and unobstructed.
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Damage Check
We inspect for blockages or damage animals caused — and a fire hazard from nests.
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Capped for Good
We finish by installing a cap so the problem doesn't repeat next nesting season.
Raccoon Removal & Cap in Parma
A Parma homeowner heard heavy scratching and found a raccoon had moved into the chimney. We safely removed it, cleared the nesting debris, inspected the flue, and capped it.
How we handled it
- Assess: Determined a raccoon had nested in the smoke chamber.
- Remove: Safely and humanely removed the animal.
- Clean & inspect: Cleared the nesting material and inspected the flue for damage and blockage.
- Cap: Installed a mesh cap so no animal can get back in.
Is your chimney ready for winter?
Chimney sweeping, inspections, relining, repair, and full masonry restoration across Greater Cleveland. Honest assessments, written estimates, and work done right — call today for a free estimate.
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What Greater Cleveland Homeowners Say
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Honest Inspection, No Scare Tactics
Another company tried to sell me a full chimney rebuild. Righteous came out, ran a camera inspection, showed me the actual flue, and said all I needed was a sweep and a new cap. Saved me thousands. This is who I'll call from now on.
Karen M. Lakewood, OH -
Finally Stopped a Years-Long Leak
Two roofers couldn't figure out where the water was coming from. Righteous found it was the chimney crown and flashing, rebuilt the crown, reflashed, and waterproofed it. Dry through the whole winter for the first time in years.
Tom B. Euclid, OH -
Beautiful Tuck Pointing on Our 1920s Home
Our brick was crumbling at the joints. They repointed the whole chimney and a section of wall with mortar that actually matches the original. You can't tell where the new work starts. Craftsmanship you don't see much anymore.
Diane R. Cleveland Heights, OH -
Quick, Clean, and Straightforward
Swept the chimney, inspected it, and walked me through everything with photos. Showed up on time, laid down drop cloths, left zero mess. Fair price, no upselling. Exactly how it should be done.
Mike S. Parma, OH
Animal Removal FAQs
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Don't light a fire, and don't try to smoke the animal out — both can be dangerous and inhumane. Call us to assess what's in there. We'll remove it safely, clean out the flue, and cap the chimney so it doesn't happen again.
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Yes. Nests are flammable and can block the flue entirely, which forces smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home and creates a chimney-fire risk. Removing the nest and inspecting the flue is a safety issue, not just a nuisance.
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Not if the chimney is capped. The single most important step is installing a mesh-sided cap after removal. Without it, the open flue just attracts the next animal. We always recommend capping as part of the job.
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Chimney swifts are a protected migratory bird and there are legal restrictions on removing active nests during nesting season. We'll assess the situation and advise on the right, lawful approach, then cap the chimney once it's appropriate to prevent future nesting.
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Yes. After removal we sweep and inspect the flue, and if the animals damaged the liner, damper, or masonry, we can handle those repairs too — see our chimney repair and relining services.