At the edge of the forest
Umatilla is named after Umatilla, Oregon, and sits on State Road 19 about 11 miles north of Tavares and 38 miles northwest of Orlando, where the road heads north through the Ocala National Forest (Wikipedia). Census estimates put the population near 3,850, with 31.8% of homes built before 1970 and 35.7% since 2000 (Census Reporter).
Wooded lots and open flues
Homes near woods and water see more leaves, nesting birds and small animals looking for shelter, and an uncapped flue is an easy way in. What to do depends on what’s up there:
- Chirping in spring or summer: often chimney swifts, which are federally protected; an active nest has to wait until the birds leave. See birds in the chimney.
- Scratching or a strong odor: a raccoon, squirrel or other animal. Live animals are a job for a nuisance wildlife trapper; see animals in the chimney.
- Nests, leaves or debris once the flue is empty: cleared through chimney blockage removal, then a properly sized chimney cap keeps them out.
Older masonry chimneys
Pre-1970 homes are the most likely to have brick chimneys, where crowns, mortar joints and flue liners wear first. An Umatilla chimney inspection is the starting point for any fireplace that hasn’t been used recently, and crumbling brick or mortar points to chimney repair in Umatilla. For slow dryers, a local dryer duct cleaning begins with an airflow check.
Other Umatilla services
Most homes are on the original town plat and its early additions, with a few newer subdivisions such as Magnolia Pointe, Twin Lakes Estates and Hunter Oaks. Beyond nests and older brick, three other requests come up:
- A fireplace that gets real use through the winter: chimney sweeping in Umatilla before the season, or a thorough chimney cleaning once any nest has been cleared and the flue is full of leaves or soot.
- Water running into the firebox or down the chimney breast: help with a leaking chimney, which checks the crown, cap and flashing that tree-lined roofs keep damp.
- A damper rusted open or shut, a smoky firebox or a gas unit that won’t light: fireplace repair options.
South along State Road 19, chimney and vent service in Eustis and Tavares homes are covered as well, and Mount Dora is a little farther southeast.
References (3)
Facts and figures on this page come from these references.
