A bird’s nest in your chimney is dangerous because it blocks the top of the flue and traps hazardous carbon monoxide and other harmful fumes from combustion. Moreover, birds and other animals can affect the airflow and the structure of your chimney, which can present more problems.
To avoid serious issues, Batts’ Chimney Services lists four ways to get rid of a bird’s nest in your chimney.
1. Block Entry
Seeing as you can’t move an active nest from your chimney, you will need to ensure that it is not active. Seal all gaps in the top of your chimney so that the birds cannot get in. It’s best to do this early on before they lay eggs to avoid the difficulty of removing a large nest.
2. Destroy the Nest
Once you know that the nest is no longer active, you can use metal rods to break the nesting material apart. Wear safety goggles and a mask when doing this to protect yourself from debris and dust that might fall down with every poke. Depending on the size of the nest, it may only take one or two pokes to crash it.
3. Clean the Chimney
Once the nest is out of the chimney, call a chimney sweep to clean out any remaining debris. If you don’t want to remove the nest from the chimney on your own, you may also ask for a professional cleaner’s help. But remember, as long as you obey the law and avoid trying to smoke out the birds with fire, you should be able to clear the bird’s nest out of your chimney.
4. Install a Chimney Cap
Chimney caps are relatively small and cheap, and they provide great value to homeowners. They help prevent fires, improve ventilation and stop animals from nesting in your chimney.
Get rid of bird nests in your chimney with the help of the professionals at Batts’ Chimney Services. Discuss your needs with our team by calling us at (205) 956-8207 (Greater Birmingham Area) or (256) 660-1338 (Northern Alabama). You can also request an estimate by filling out our contact form.
