When the fall winds pick up across Long Island, most homeowners start thinking about cozy evenings by the fireplace. What many don’t realize is that this is also the season when chimneys get hit with the most unwanted guests. From squirrels building nests inside the flue to piles of wet leaves clogging the smoke path, this is the time of year when your chimney system is at its highest risk of blockages, draft problems, and safety hazards.

I hear stories like this from homeowners every October:
“We lit our first fire of the season and suddenly the living room smelled like smoke.”
Or the client who called because they heard “something scratching inside the chimney” — which turned out to be a trapped raccoon sitting right above the damper.

Whether it’s leaves, twigs, nesting materials, or curious wildlife, the risks are real. And with increased fireplace use coming up fast, the last thing you want is a blocked flue, smoke backup, or carbon monoxide exposure. This guide breaks down how to keep your chimney clear, protected, and ready for safe use all season long.

Why Fall Is the Season When Chimney Blockages Spike

Walk through any Nassau or Suffolk neighborhood this time of year and you’ll see exactly why chimney issues increase: trees shedding leaves, gusty coastal winds, branches dropping, and wildlife looking for warm spots to nest before temperatures drop.

Chimneys make the perfect target.
They’re warm, hidden, elevated, and — when uncapped — wide open for entry.

Inside the chimney flue, even a thin layer of debris can disrupt airflow. When leaves settle at the smoke shelf or animals pack nesting materials deep inside the liner, the draft becomes unbalanced. Instead of smoke rising through the flue, it spills back into the living space, carrying soot, carbon monoxide, and creosote residue.

Homeowners near heavily wooded areas of Long Island (like Huntington, Stony Brook, Smithtown, and parts of North Shore Nassau) experience the worst of it, but even homes closer to the South Shore see draft issues when fall winds push debris straight into uncapped chimneys.

And if animals gain access, the risks multiply: fleas, droppings, dead wildlife, blocked flues, and trapped animals desperately scratching at the damper — all things Chimney Solutions has removed from chimneys more times than you’d imagine.

How a Chimney Cap Protects Against Leaves, Animals & Debris

If there’s one piece of chimney equipment that prevents 90% of fall-season blockages, it’s a properly installed chimney cap.

A chimney cap acts like a roof over your flue. It sits atop the chimney crown and features a mesh screen that allows smoke to escape but blocks leaves, birds, raccoons, squirrels, and wind-driven debris from entering. Without a cap, your flue is essentially an open door.

A high-quality cap also prevents:

• Water intrusion during heavy fall rain
• Sparks from escaping and landing on your roof
• Draft issues caused by wind gusts
• Birds building nests inside the flue
• Leaves collecting on the smoke shelf and reducing airflow

Some homeowners upgrade to top-sealing damper caps, which provide both moisture protection and energy efficiency. Unlike traditional throat dampers, they create a tighter seal that prevents heat loss and stops draft backflow — especially helpful for homes battling strong coastal winds.

Stainless steel caps are the go-to on Long Island because they resist salt corrosion and hold up to Nor’easter conditions better than galvanized alternatives.