Here is how to get a bird out of your chimney.
Chimneys are primarily designed for venting purposes. These systems help remove byproducts of combustion away from the heating appliance or device, and out of the building.
While this is true, there are times when your chimney begins to malfunction. Such malfunction needs to be traced to find out the root cause.
Dealing With Birds Nesting In Chimney
Apart from issues such as rotting wood, cracks in the flue, creosote buildup, spalling bricks, and damaged mortar, other likely issues you may encounter with your chimney include obstructions.
As expected, proper venting of your chimney is significantly impacted.
Causes of Chimney Obstructions
Chimney blockages are likely to occur due to a number of reasons. An open chimney will serve as a ready invitation to animals like birds, squirrels among different types of small animals.
This is more common during the cold winter season when the heat coming from your chimney attracts these creatures.
Apart from bird nests and the presence of other animals, a chimney could be obstructed by falling debris, excess soot buildup, crumbling bricks, tree foliage, and falling twigs.
This is especially true when there’s an overhanging tree branch over the chimney.
While all of these causes of chimney obstructions require equal attention, we’ll focus more on bird nests within the chimney flue. Bird nests tend to be among the most common obstructions to chimney.
If you’re dealing with such a pest bird problem, you’ll need to read on to find out how to go about removing these nests.
Dangers of Blocked Chimneys
Chimney obstructions may occur without your knowledge especially in summer when the chimney isn’t in use. Quite a number of issues could result from a clogged chimney.
These include chimney fires that could raze down the entire building.
What more? Chimney obstruction due to bird nesting could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be fatal when left unchecked.
You’ll need to act fast to limit your exposure to such dangers.
How To Get Rid Of Birds In Chimney
To have bird nests removed from chimneys, certain actions need to be taken.
These include an inspection to confirm signs of obstruction by bird nests, getting such nests out as well as prevention of future nesting.
Here is how to get birds out of your chimney.
Let’s discuss each of these steps in detail for more clarity.
i. Inspection to Confirm Bird Nesting Symptoms
For chimneys without a cover, cap, or top-sealing, these become easy targets for birds.
This is mostly due to the warmth and shelter these birds get especially when it’s cold. Birds also use your chimney as a hideout from predators.
Now, the truth is, chimneys aren’t designed to serve as bird nesting sites.
When these birds nest in your chimneys, you’re likely to notice such presence due to their activity. The common signs of bird issues in the chimney include scratching sounds as well as chirping in your chimney.
It’s important you have your chimney inspected to prevent the problem from worsening. If you’re afraid of heights, consider calling a chimney expert to perform such inspections for you.
With bird presence, inspection will reveal a number of things.
You’re likely to find nesting material, bird droppings, scattered feathers, and debris lying within the flue structure. Of course, a torch will prove useful to such inspection.
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Getting the Needed Tools To Remove Stuck Bird
Before you commence the removal of a bird’s nest in the chimney, it’s necessary to get the tools necessary for the job. These include a headlamp or flashlight, protective gear, ladder, protective sheets as well as cleaning brushes as well as brooms.
ii. Removal of Birds That Nest In Chimneys
With bird nest confirmed, such obstruction needs to be removed from the chimney.
Is there a bird present within the chimney? Most birds will fly off when you get too close. If there’s a live bird inside the chimney, you may want to have the job handled by a pro.
Otherwise, you may decide to perform the removal process if you think you’re competent enough. However, it’s important that you avoid smoking out the bird as this could cause its death.
Smoking out the bird could also ignite nesting materials which you want to avoid at all costs.
Consider scare tactics as a removal technique. Quite a number of strategies can be deployed to scare off a bird. These include the use of reflective objects, as well as making loud noises.
With the bird gone, what remains is the need to have its nest removed.
Now, such jobs will require a more specialized approach because you’re likely dealing with parasites and pathogen-laden nests. Touching these without taking precautionary safety measures is likely to expose you to all sorts of diseases.
If you have no experience in birds removal, it’s best you allow a professional to handle the removal job.
Also, there may be laws protecting certain bird species. If the bird you find falls under this category, you’ll have to stick to the rules or allow the pros to figure out how to solve the problem.
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Removing Inactive Bird Nest in Chimneys
In a situation where the bird’s nest you find in your chimney is inactive, it solves a lot of removal-related problems. All you have to do is use appropriate tools such as a metal rod to tear apart the nest material.
You’ll need to ensure you’re well balanced on the roof to do this and also avoid damaging your chimney.
With your safety goggles, mask, and gloves on, have your fireplace interior covered with a sheet to ensure that the falling nest and other debris aren’t scattered about.
Gradually dislodge the nests to eliminate its obstruction.
Now, sweep and tidy the job area and you’re done. You may want to have a professional chimney sweep carry out all the cleanup processes.
iii. Prevention of Future Nesting
Bird nest removal from chimneys isn’t enough. This must be followed by preventive measures put in place to keep beds from returning to your chimney.
Consult a chimney professional about the best chimney cap to install over your chimney.
Some solutions may be customized depending on your chimney type. Getting the perfect fitting cap requires taking the exact dimensions of your chimney to make the perfect cap for you.
The preventive steps taken will determine whether or not you encounter a repeat of bird nests in your chimney again.
With the steps discussed above, removing bird nests from chimneys shouldn’t be a problem any longer. The professional approach tends to work best.