Chimney animal removal and entry repair in Ruskin

Florida's rule on bats in chimneys

Florida's nuisance wildlife rule sets when bats may be excluded from a structure. Exclusion is not allowed during the maternity season in spring and summer, when young bats cannot yet fly and would be sealed inside.

If bats are using the chimney, the timing is fixed by that rule, not by convenience. We explain what applies to your home, and we do not cap or seal a chimney that bats are using until the exclusion has been done within the rule.

The restriction exists to protect young bats, and it applies to homeowners and contractors alike. Planning around it avoids harming the colony and avoids sealing bats inside a chimney.

What the code says about chimney cap screens

Florida's residential code sets rules for spark arrestor screens on masonry chimneys. The screen openings must not let through a sphere larger than half an inch or block one smaller than three-eighths of an inch, and the screen material has to hold up to heat and corrosion no worse than 19-gauge galvanized or 24-gauge stainless steel would.

That section also sets the arrestor's net free area at no less than four times the flue outlet's area. A properly sized screened cap meets those rules and keeps birds and squirrels out without choking the chimney's draft.

A cap that can come off for cleaning

The code also requires the spark arrestor to be reachable for cleaning, with a screen or cap that can be removed so the flue can be swept. A cap that is sealed or screwed down so it cannot come off makes the next cleaning harder than it needs to be.

Screens also collect debris over time, and a clogged screen restricts the flow of smoke. We fit caps that can be removed for service and check the screen during later inspections.

A cap that comes off for service also makes any later animal problem easier to deal with, because the top of the flue can be checked without cutting anything loose.

Keeping animals out once the chimney is closed

A well-fitted cap does most of the work, but caps and screens can loosen, rust or collect debris. NFPA safety guidance recommends having chimneys inspected every year, and a yearly look is a good time to confirm the cap is still doing its job.

Between inspections, watch for new sounds, debris in the firebox or a cap that looks tilted from the ground. If something changes, call us rather than climbing up to check.

Our team can combine that yearly look with a sweep before the fireplace season, so the chimney is clean, clear of nests and closed at the top.