Bird nest removal by a master chimney sweep in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Crowborough and Sevenoaks in Kent
- Bird nest removal by an experienced chimney sweep – Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough, Kent
- Do birds make nests in chimneys?
- How do you know birds are nesting in your chimney?
- Can you smoke birds out of a chimney?
- How much does it cost to remove a birds nest?
- How do you remove a nest from a chimney?
- How to keep birds out of your chimney?
- The law on removing a bird’s nest from a chimney.
Bird nest removal by an experienced chimney sweep – Tunbridge wells, Crowborough, Kent
If you suspect you have a nest in your chimney, you need to call an experienced chimney sweep for a professional bird nest removal.
I am a member of the guild of master sweeps and approved by HETAS the industry standard for chimney sweeps. I have considerable experience in removing bird nests from chimneys for clients in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Crowborough in Kent.
If you live in the Kent area and need some advice or a bird nest removal call me, James the chimney sweep on 07587 134589.
Do birds make nests in chimneys?
Yes! They do. The main culprits are jackdaws, the smallest members of the crow family. They live in groups, make a lot of noise, and do their absolute best to find gaps in your chimney tops and breasts to build their nest in. They usually find their way in via a broken bird guard. When this happens they start dropping large sticks and small twigs down. They even bend the twigs, so they fit snuggly and catch on the sides of the chimney. This means a nest can be small or pretty large, filling several bin bags when removed.
A bird nest in your chimney poses a very real and dangerous problem. The birds can damage the internal brickwork, cause damp, be very noisy and cause insect infestations. So, you need to clear them out as soon as you can. The most important issue, considering you must keep your chimney clean of debris, is the nests themselves are a serious fire hazard.
The only way to remove a nest is from the bottom through the fireplace. So, unfortunately, if your fireplace happens to be blocked up, you’ll need to uncover the entrance by removing the plasterboard before a chimney sweep arrives.
It pays to keep an eye on your chimney in spring, anytime you see a lot of jackdaws gathering around the top, there is probably an opening they are trying to squeeze through or break into. You need a solid bird guard or chimney cowl to stop birds getting into your chimney.
How do you know birds are nesting in your chimney
There are some tell-tale signs to look out for:-
- The obvious one is, sounds of chirping coming from the fireplace inside your house.
- If you look up to your chimney you may be able to see the birds going in and out.
- Loose debris falling into your fireplace, twigs, leaves etc.
- You may even see droppings in the hearth.
- You notice a nasty odour coming from your fireplace. Birds are not the cleanest of critters and if one dies it would decompose producing an unpleasant smell.
- Your fire is producing more smoke than usual which is coming into the room.
Can you smoke birds out of a chimney?
No, this is a very bad idea. Please don’t try to light a fire hoping that the smoke will cause the birds to leave the chimney. The smoke will be unable to escape past the nest and it will roll back down the chimney. You risk smoking yourself out. If the smoke cannot escape out of the chimney, the toxic and harmful carbon monoxide gas cannot escape either. There’s also the chance that the chimney itself could catch fire.
If you suspect you may have a bird’s nest in your chimney you should contact an expert chimney sweep for help.
Call me, James the sweep on 07587 134589 to remove a bird’s nest from your chimney.
How much does it cost to remove a bird’s nest from a chimney?
To remove a bird’s nest from your chimney I charge £100 for the first hour of work and then £60 per hour after that if the job is particularly complicated. The bird nest removal cost includes a smoke test and a certificate of chimney sweeping. Please note that the bird’s nest is always left with the householder for disposal.
How do you remove a nest from a chimney?
I have been sweeping chimneys and removing bird nests for customers in Kent for over 20 years. As an accredited and qualified chimney sweep, I know exactly how to remove a bird nest efficiently and cleanly. I also fully comply with all the current legal regulations regarding bird nest removal.
When I arrive at your property, I will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether you have a bird nest in your chimney. If you do, I lay down clean dust sheets to catch any debris from the chimney. I use a HEPA filter chimney vacuum to make sure no soot escapes into the room. Using a hard brush, I start to break up the nest from inside the chimney. Small debris comes first and then the larger twigs and eventually the brush will reach the top of the chimney and the whole nest will fall to the bottom where it can be removed.
Once the bird’s nest is removed, I conduct a smoke test to make sure there are no problems and it’s safe to start a fire again. I can also advise you on what type of chimney cowl or bird guard to purchase to prevent further bird’s nesting in your chimney. Once the sweep is complete, I issue you with an official certificate of chimney sweeping which can be used for your household insurance.
How to keep birds out of your chimney?
Prevention is the best defence against bird nests in your chimney. The most effective way to keep birds out of your chimney is to fit a sturdy chimney bird guard. The chimney pot bird guard or a chimney cowl bird guard is securely fitted to the chimney top. The guard has a cage which allows sufficient air flow in and out but has no space for a bird to fit through. I am happy to advise you on the best type for your chimney, call me, James the sweep on 07587 134589.
Unfortunately, birds tend to return to good nesting spots and can be tenacious in trying to get back in. So, for persistent birds you might try providing them with an alternative nesting place. Install a bird box in trees close to your house.
The law on removing a bird’s nest from a chimney
Nesting birds are protected under the law, and it is an offence to destroy or remove a nest while the birds are still nesting, this also includes the building stage of a nest. Nests can only be checked and removed when the birds have clearly left the nest or after the nesting season has finished, from the end of August. The law does provide exceptions when there is a risk. Under the GL35 licence, in the interests of public health I can remove a jackdaw nest if the birds pose a risk to human health or increase the risk of accidents.
The law doesn’t, however, recognise the excuses, ‘they are being noisy and annoying’ or ‘ they are making a mess and damaging my property.’
So, if you need to use your fire while the birds are nesting in the chimney, you trigger this exception. A blocked chimney can potentially cause a build-up of carbon monoxide in your house which poses a danger to your health. Allowing me to remove the nest before the end of August.
If you suspect you have a bird’s nest in your chimney call me, James the sweep on 07587 134589 for help and advice on its removal.
Further help on birds nesting in my chimney
Here are some more links you may find useful regarding bird nests in your chimney.
