Skokie's wildlife guidance and chimney caps
The Village of Skokie's urban wildlife guidance covers animals that end up in chimneys (source: Living with Urban Wildlife | Skokie, IL). It advises against using smoke to drive animals out of chimneys. It suggests a dish of ammonia in the fireplace with the damper slightly open, or a sturdy rope dropped into the chimney. It also recommends installing a mesh chimney cap to prevent future issues.
What that means for the order of the work
The Village's advice puts the cap last. The animal leaves first, and then the cap closes the opening. A cap fitted while a raccoon, squirrel or bird is still in the flue traps it inside, so we check that the flue is clear before we fit one. If an animal or a chimney nest is still there, we remove it first and then install the cap.
Why the guidance calls for mesh
A solid hood on its own keeps rain off but leaves the sides open. The mesh sides keep animals out and still let smoke and gases escape. When we fit chimney and fireplace caps, the mesh runs all the way around the cap. We fasten the cap down so an animal can't easily lift it or push it aside.
Skip the smoke
The Village of Skokie's guidance advises against using smoke to drive animals out of a chimney. If you've tried the ammonia dish or the rope and still hear movement, get in touch before you light a fire.
Chimney cap installation in brief
The job starts with measuring the flue, or every flue if the chimney has more than one, and checking the crown the cap will sit on. We then fit a cap with a solid top to shed rain and mesh sides to keep out birds and animals. We fasten it securely and check that the fireplace still drafts properly. If an old cap is rusted or loose, we replace it instead. For materials, sizing and the full process, read how chimney cap installation works.
When a different job comes first
- Cracked crown or loose bricks at the top: a cap needs solid masonry to sit on, so that damage is fixed first through chimney repair in Skokie.
- Animal or nest still inside: we remove it first and fit the cap second.
- Factory-built chimney boxed in with siding or a metal chase: the top of the chimney takes a chase cover rather than sitting on a masonry crown. Our guide to chimney cap vs chase cover explains the difference.
- Old cap that is bent, rusted or missing its mesh: replacing the cap is often the simpler fix.
Booking a cap for your Skokie home
For sizing, materials and the full process, read about our full chimney cap installation service. To see the other work we do in the area, visit everything we do in Skokie.
Free estimates.
Request an estimate and tell us how many flues your chimney has and whether you've heard animals in it. We'll take it from there.
Sources (1)
The sources of the Skokie facts on this page.
- 1Living with Urban Wildlife | Skokie, IL
