Raccoon in chimney removal in Fort Worth, TX
The raccoon is out, the flue is cleaned and sanitized, and a cap keeps the next one out.
to book a removal or to describe what you are hearing.
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Signs a Raccoon Is in Your Chimney
Chimney Sweep Pro removes the raccoons behind these signs, which rarely show up alone.
Damaged or Bent Damper
A damaged or bent damper, the plate that opens and closes the flue, is a common sign of a raccoon.
Smoke or Odor Backing Up
Smoke or odor backing into the room can mean the flue is blocked.
Droppings or Nest Material
Droppings or nest material in the firebox mean an animal has been in the flue.
Strong Smell With Flies
A strong smell with flies points to a dead animal and needs attention first.
Damage Around the Chimney Top
Damage around the chimney top or the cap can point to a raccoon.
What Raccoon Removal From a Chimney Includes
Chimney Sweep Pro identifies the animal first, then removes the raccoon and clears the flue.
Animal Identification
We identify the animal before any removal begins.
Containment
Drop cloths, shoe covers, and a HEPA-filtered vacuum protect your home.
Raccoon Removal
We remove the raccoon using tools suited to the animal.
Nest and Droppings Cleared
We clear nest material and droppings out of the flue.
Liner and Damper Check
We check the liner and damper for damage.
Written Report
You get a written report of what was found.
Raccoon removal takes the raccoon out of the flue and clears what it left behind. The flue is the passage that carries smoke out of the house. The smoke chamber is the sloped space above the firebox. Raccoons are strong climbers and can reach all of it from the top if the chimney has no cap.
Flue cleaning and sanitizing, repairs, and a cap are each quoted before they are done. Attic and wall work is quoted separately too.
Raccoon Removal Cost in Fort Worth
Raccoon removal costs $500-$600+ for the removal itself. Flue cleaning and sanitizing adds $150-$300.
Raccoon Removal
$500-$600+
A raccoon wedged in the flue and located with a camera.
Flue Cleaning and Sanitizing
$150-$300
Clearing nest debris and droppings and sanitizing the flue after removal.
- Depth in the flue: a raccoon wedged deep takes longer to locate and reach.
- Nest size: a bigger nest means more material to clear.
- Live or dead: a dead raccoon adds sanitizing to the job.
- Attic or wall work: this is quoted separately.
- Cap or repairs: these are quoted separately. See chimney cap installation for cap pricing.
The technician locates the raccoon before quoting. The final price is given to you in writing before any work begins.
Is It a Raccoon, a Squirrel, or a Bird?
The animal decides the method and the cost tier. This table shows how the signs differ.
| Animal | Common Signs | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Damaged damper, blocked flue, strong odor | Large raccoons that wedge deep make a hard removal |
| Squirrel | Scratching and scampering sounds, a blocked draft | Near the bottom of the flue, this is a simple removal. Deep in the flue, it is a hard one. |
| Bird (starling or chimney swift) | Chirping, scratching, a blocked draft | Chimney swifts are federally protected while nesting, so removal waits until the birds leave |
Each animal has its own page: squirrel in chimney removal and bird in chimney removal. Our chimney animal removal page covers all of them.
Never Open the Fireplace to Catch a Raccoon
Raccoons are strong and can be dangerous. Opening the fireplace to catch one can let it into your living room. Keep the damper closed and call a specialist.
A Dead Raccoon
A dead raccoon adds odor, bacteria, and flies, so it needs attention first.
Nest material piles up, the draft stays blocked, and odor and bacteria spread if the raccoon has died.
Now:
A dead-animal smell, smoke backing into the room, or a raccoon inside the house. Stay away from it and keep children and pets back. If there is smoke or a carbon monoxide alarm, get everyone out and call 911.
Soon:
Noises in the chimney, or a draft that has started to smoke.
Keep the damper closed, do not light a fire, and do not try to catch the raccoon or remove it yourself.
Removing a raccoon yourself is not a reasonable DIY job. Raccoons are strong and can bite and scratch, and lighting a fire or smoking the animal out risks a chimney fire and a dead raccoon in the flue.
Raccoons are a high-risk rabies species in Texas, so never touch one. Their droppings can carry disease and need proper cleanup. If you or a pet is bitten or scratched, contact a doctor or veterinarian and your local health department.
Some homeowners policies cover damage an animal causes inside a chimney or attic. Removal and cleanup usually are not covered. Check your policy or ask your agent.
Hear a raccoon in your chimney?
The technician identifies the animal first, then gives you the final price in writing before any work begins.
How a Raccoon Removal Visit Works
Identify the animal.
The technician confirms it is a raccoon before any removal is planned.
Set up containment.
Drop cloths, shoe covers, and a HEPA-filtered vacuum protect your home.
Remove the raccoon.
The technician uses tools suited to the animal.
Clear the nest and droppings.
All nest material is removed from the flue and smoke chamber.
Check the liner and damper.
The technician looks for damage the raccoon caused. If the liner is damaged, see our chimney relining page.
Quote the next steps.
Flue cleaning, sanitizing, a cap, and any repairs are priced in writing.
Deliver the written report.
You get a record of what was found and what was done.
Raccoon Removal Across Fort Worth and Nearby Cities
Chimney Sweep Pro is based at 804 Mustang Dr, Saginaw, TX 76179, and removes raccoons from chimneys in Fort Worth, Keller, Mansfield, Southlake, Arlington, Benbrook, North Richland Hills, Burleson, Haltom City, Saginaw, and Weatherford. See our chimney sweep services for our full range of chimney work.
Chimney Sweep Pro, 804 Mustang Dr, Saginaw, TX 76179, (682) 354-6644
Raccoon in Chimney Removal FAQs for Fort Worth Homeowners
What sets Chimney Sweep Pro's raccoon removal from a chimney apart from general wildlife control?
Wildlife companies often focus on attics and treat the chimney as a side job. We work on the chimney itself. We identify the animal, remove the raccoon, clear the nest and droppings, check the damper and liner, and quote a cap so the next raccoon can't get in.
How do you confirm it is a raccoon before removal?
The technician looks at the signs and, when needed, scans the flue with a camera to see what is there. A damaged damper, a blocked flue, and a strong odor point to a raccoon, but squirrels and birds can cause similar signs. We confirm the animal before planning any removal.
What does raccoon removal from a chimney include?
Each visit starts with identifying the animal, then setting up containment with drop cloths, shoe covers, and a HEPA-filtered vacuum. We remove the raccoon, clear the nest and droppings, check the liner and damper for damage, and give you a written report of what we found. Flue cleaning and sanitizing is quoted separately.
How long does raccoon removal from a chimney take?
A raccoon wedged deep in the flue takes longer to locate and reach than one near the opening, so the time varies. The technician gives you a timeline once the animal is located. The timeline covers removal only, not any repairs or a cap, which are quoted separately.
How much does raccoon removal from a chimney cost in Fort Worth?
Raccoon removal costs $500-$600+ with Chimney Sweep Pro, because raccoons are large and can wedge deep in the flue. Flue cleaning and sanitizing adds $150-$300. A cap and any repairs are quoted separately. The technician gives the final price in writing before work begins. Call (682) 354-6644 to book.
Which Fort Worth-area cities do you serve for raccoon removal?
We remove raccoons from chimneys in Fort Worth, Keller, Mansfield, Southlake, Arlington, Benbrook, North Richland Hills, Burleson, Haltom City, Saginaw, and Weatherford. The method and the pricing are the same in each city. Ask when you call if your city is not listed.
What should I do if I hear a raccoon in my chimney?
Keep the damper closed, do not light a fire, and do not open the fireplace to try to catch it. Keep children and pets away from the fireplace. Call a chimney animal removal specialist soon, because a blocked flue can keep smoke from venting. Call (682) 354-6644.
What damage can a raccoon do inside a chimney?
Raccoons are strong. They can bend or break the damper, pack the flue with nest material, and leave droppings that add odor and bacteria. A damaged damper or liner can leave the chimney unsafe to use. The exterior can be damaged too, especially around the cap or chimney top.
Who do I call to remove a raccoon from a chimney?
Call a chimney specialist, not a general pest control company. Chimney specialists know the flue, damper, and smoke chamber, so the nest, the droppings, and any damage get handled in one visit. Chimney Sweep Pro covers the raccoon and the chimney, and quotes the work in writing before starting.
How do I keep raccoons out of my chimney after removal?
Have a cap fitted over the flue opening. A sturdy cap with mesh screening keeps raccoons, squirrels, and birds out, and it is sized to your chimney. We clear the old nest first. See chimney cap installation for how caps are sized and priced.
Why shouldn't I open the fireplace to catch a raccoon?
A raccoon is strong, and a cornered one can bite and scratch. Opening the fireplace can also let it into your living room, where it can damage the room and be hard to remove. Keep the damper closed and call a specialist instead.
What health risks come with a raccoon in the chimney?
Raccoons are a high-risk rabies species in Texas, so never touch one. Their droppings can also carry disease, which is why cleanup and sanitizing matter after removal. If you or a pet is bitten or scratched, contact a doctor or veterinarian and your local health department promptly. The CDC's rabies guidance covers the warning signs to watch for.
Raccoon removal in Fort Worth starts with one call.
A blocked flue gets more dangerous the longer a raccoon stays in it.