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When a Chimney Cap Fails: Raccoon in a Multi-Flue Chimney
At Frontline Animal Removal, we respond to all kinds of raccoon intrusions across Canton, Akron, and Kent, Ohio. One of the most common places raccoons like to take up residence is inside a chimney flue. That’s exactly what happened at a recent job.
The home had a solid, multi-flue chimney cap installed. At first glance, it looked like everything was protected: a professionally installed cap, no missing parts, and good condition overall.
But the problem wasn’t poor installation or deterioration. It was a design flaw—and the raccoon found it.
Chimney Caps Are Meant to Keep Wildlife Out
Chimney caps serve a few important purposes:
- Keeping rain and snow out of the chimney system
- Blocking debris like leaves or twigs from clogging the flues
- Preventing birds, raccoons, squirrels, and other animals from entering
- Reducing downdrafts from wind
- Containing sparks to reduce fire hazards
But even a cap that looks well-built can fail if it’s not designed with wildlife in mind.
In this case, the chimney had a multi-flue cap with screening that didn’t fully close off the space beneath the lid. The raccoon was able to squeeze through a raccoon-sized gap in the mesh and access one of the flues, where it quickly made itself at home.
Design Flaw vs. Installation Failure
Too often, homeowners assume that a chimney cap means they’re fully protected. And in most cases, that’s true. But not all chimney caps are created equally.
In this particular case, Ryan found that the cap was solidly built and correctly installed. The issue was with the spacing in the mesh or screening material underneath the lid of the cap. The opening was large enough for a raccoon to push through. Once inside, the flue became a perfect den space—dark, dry, and safe.
You can see the full story in our video, where Ryan explains exactly how the raccoon got in and what homeowners should look for when inspecting their own chimney caps.
📽️ Watch the video here: Raccoon in Chimney Flue Due to Cap Design Flaw
How to Choose a Chimney Cap That Actually Works
If you’re a homeowner in Stark, Summit, or Portage County and you’re considering a chimney cap, here are a few tips to make sure you’re choosing one that provides real protection:
- Go for a full-coverage, multi-flue cap if you have more than one flue—but make sure the mesh underneath is tight and secure.
- Choose a cap with welded corners and rust-resistant materials, like stainless steel, to prevent future deterioration.
- Avoid large mesh gaps. Openings should be small enough to keep out not only raccoons, but squirrels and birds as well.
- Have it professionally installed so it fits securely and isn’t easily dislodged by animals or weather.
- Get regular inspections, especially before and after winter, to ensure no gaps have developed and everything is in working order.
You can read more about choosing the right cap and see more examples of chimney cap issues on our Chimney Caps & Wildlife page.
A Chimney is No Place for a Raccoon
When raccoons make it into a chimney, they create real problems. Not only is there the noise and smell, but the animals may cause damage to the flue, smoke shelf, or damper. In some cases, they even give birth inside, which means an entire family of raccoons may need to be removed carefully and legally.
At Frontline Animal Removal, we specialize in removing raccoons from chimneys and sealing them out for good. If you suspect an animal in your chimney—or just want to make sure your chimney cap is truly secure—give us a call.
We serve Canton, Akron, Kent, and all surrounding areas, offering wildlife removal and repair services to keep your home safe and secure from unwanted animal visitors.