Found a dead squirrel blocking a flue in a 1920s home last week

I was out in Oak Park sweeping a place built in the 1920s and when I ran the brush up, something felt off. Pulled out a whole nest of leaves and a dead squirrel that had gotten stuck trying to get out. Anyone else run into animals blocking flues more in older houses?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_thomas42h ago

I mean, guess that squirrel really gave its all for the job, huh?

jennifer_murphy531h ago

Ugh, that is rough. Finding a whole nest and a dead animal is never a fun surprise, especially in an old house. Older chimneys and flues just seem to have more gaps and crevices that critters can squeeze into before they realize they can't get back out. It is a real pain to deal with, and I kind of feel for the squirrel too, honestly. Getting stuck like that is a terrible way to go. Good on you for catching it before someone tried to light a fire.