Chimney sweep in Shorewood, MN and a cap that keeps animals out
Brickstone sweeps chimneys, installs caps and removes animals from flues in Shorewood. We drive over from Chanhassen. Heard scratching in the fireplace, or found a bird in the firebox? Call and tell us what you heard.
What is that noise inside my fireplace?
In most cases it is an animal that found an open flue. Squirrels and raccoons climb onto roofs that touch tree branches, and a chimney without a cap looks like a hollow tree. Scratching, chirping and thumping all come from the same story. Birds, too, move in during spring.
Do not light a fire to scare it out, and do not reach in. Call us. We find what is in the flue, remove the animal, and then install a chimney cap so the problem does not come back. A cap also stops rain and falling leaves.
One caution: chimney swifts are protected by federal law, and the Minnesota DNR notes that they nest in chimneys. If swifts are raising young in your flue, the right move is to wait until they leave before the cap goes on. We will tell you what is in there and what the timing looks like.
Where we work in Shorewood
Shorewood wraps around the south shore of the lake, from homes off Highway 7 to the streets near Minnewashta Elementary, and many lots are wooded. The city was cut out of Excelsior Township in 1956. Spray Island and Shady Island, out in the lake, are part of Shorewood too.
Wherever you live in town, the first step is the same: tell us what you hear, see or smell, and we plan the visit around it.
A Shorewood roof with trees close by
Three things follow a chimney that stands near branches and open water.
- Leaves and twigs collect in an open flue and add to the fuel for a chimney fire.
- Wind off the lake loosens fasteners and makes a cap rattle.
- Shade keeps brick damp, and damp brick wears faster at the top.
A yearly chimney sweep and a look from the roofline handles all three before they cost you more.
A gas fireplace that quit after a power outage
When a summer storm knocks out power along Highway 7, a gas fireplace may not restart when the lights come back. It may show a sensor fault, click without lighting or stay dark.
Try the wall switch and the remote batteries first. If the unit is still silent, call us. A gas fireplace repair visit tests the pilot assembly, the sensor and the vent. Never take the unit apart yourself.
What should I tell the chimney sweep when I call from Shorewood?
Tell us what you heard or saw, when it started, and whether the fireplace has a cap. A photo of the top of the chimney helps if you can take one safely from the ground. We use that to plan the visit, bring the right tools and give you a clear answer on what to do.
Shorewood questions about animals, caps and wind
Who removes a squirrel or raccoon from a chimney in Shorewood?
We do. We find the animal, remove it and fit a cap so no other one moves in.
Can I put a cap on right away if birds are nesting?
Not if chimney swifts are nesting, because they are protected. We tell you which bird you have and when it is safe to cap.
Will a cap help with the lake wind?
A well-fitted cap stops rattling and keeps rain and debris out. A loose or bent one should be replaced.
How can I tell if my cap is damaged?
Look for a tilted lid, rust streaks down the brick, or bent mesh. Photos from the ground are enough to start a conversation with us.
My gas fireplace shows a fault after the power went out. Is it broken?
Often not. Sensors can lock out until reset. If a reset does not work, we test the unit.
Do trees near my roof mean more frequent sweeping?
They mean more debris reaches an open flue. With a cap in place, a yearly sweep is usually plenty for a wood fireplace you use.
Do you work in Shorewood's neighbor towns?
Yes. Excelsior, Tonka Bay and Mound are all in our service area.
Map of Shorewood, MN
Shorewood and the neighborhoods around it are all part of our area.
Services in Shorewood
- Chimney sweeping
- Chimney inspection
- Chimney repair
- Gas fireplace repair
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Chimney caps
- Chimney liners
- Chimney leak repair
South Lake Minnetonka
Further reading
Map of Shorewood, MN
Shorewood and the neighborhoods around it are all part of our area.
What you can count on
- 10 years in the chimney tradeSweeping, inspection and repair on brick and factory-built chimneys
- Licensed and insuredBrickstone Chimney Sweep is licensed and insured
- Open every day, 8 AM to 8 PMCall any day of the week to set a time
Further reading