I swear, someday I'm going to find the hidden video cameras in my house, AND the channel the footage is being aired on. I just want a cut of the royalties! National Lampoon, move over.
Anyway, something seems to be stuck in the center of my house. There is a 'stack' of bricks running up from my basement through the main floor, up to the roof. I think it's just a pipe coming out on the roof. Often times when we have a heavy rain a small amount of water will drain from the 'stack' in the basement into a drain that's conviently located nearby. On the main floor of the house, the 'stack' is encased in drywall. There's been an odd irregular thumping coming from the main floor area of this stack all night. A loud thumping. Like a squirrel is caught in there??? I have no idea, but have never heard anything like this in the 7 years I've lived here. I'd hate for the poor creature to die in there, especially if it's the baby squirrel I raised this spring, little Scrappy. And Christ, if it dies, it's going to stink to high hell for months. Or what if the darned squirrel is dropping his walnuts in there? I've noticed them collecting them this last week and they will put them anywhere, trust me. I have no idea the function of this stack/pipe, but I can't imagine baseball sized walnuts are a good thing to be stuck in there.
I digress. WHO do I call to come look at this? The stack is near the furnace & blower, if that helps.
What you are describing is a chimney for your furnace. I would first call an exterminator if it is just an animal but then call a mason to repair any damage to the chimney. There should be a cover at the top to keep out critters, or there could be broken bricks or mortar inside the chimney.
I wouldn’t wait too long to have it checked out, you don’t want it getting worse.
If you think it is a creature you call an exterminator. They tend to know how to remove creatures from anything.
It sounds like it used to be a chimney for an old boiler. Is it an older home?
I think you should cap it after you figure out what is in there.
I am wondering what kind of expert can get TO what's making the noise, whether it's a critter or something that got stuck that thumps. From your description, I'm not sure that calling Animal Control is the right thing. They don't have the expertise to get into your walls or your "stack". It needs to be a specialist, to prevent your house from being damaged by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. I'm sorry, but my house would come first over the animal, if indeed it even is an animal.
I just don't know what the "stack" is and what it does, other than it has a pipe in it. It doesn't sound like you're talking about a chimney, and I can't figure what the pipe is for. Anyway, I sure hope someone else has some advice for you other than Animal Control...
Dawn
Do you have gas heat or gas water heater? The "stack" is probably the venting for that/those. And if something is being dropped down that pipe, it would need to be cleaned out before you need to be using the furnace!
Sounds like you have got quite a problem. My guess would be to call a trapper or pest control company. Explain the noise and see if someone can come and check it out. Or maybe wildlife rescue? They might be able to help. Sorry I can't help more. Good luck and let us know what it is!
If you truly suspect it's an animal I would call an animal rescue group. They will know who further to call to get the animal out. They will be the most humane and they will also be able to tell you what you can do to prevent the animals from getting in there again.
A plumber and perhaps then animal control.
Keep us posted on your progress and good luck.
