Birds Nesting in Chimney
Birds have built a nest in the chimney, blocking the flue and causing noise, smell, or smoke issues.
What Is Causing This?
- 1No chimney cap or guard fitted
- 2Chimney not used for a long period, giving birds time to nest
- 3Jackdaws or pigeons finding the chimney pot an ideal nesting site
How Urgent Is This?
This should be fixed in the coming weeks. Leaving it may allow the problem to worsen and cost more to repair.
What Needs to Be Done
A chimney sweep will remove the nest (outside nesting season if protected species), sweep the flue, and fit a bird guard or cowl to prevent future nesting.
How Much Will It Cost?
National average estimate
Labour: £183 – £447 | Materials: £100 – £277
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Prices are estimates based on typical UK rates. Actual costs depend on the specific issue, accessibility, and your location. All quotes from tradespeople on Tradesfolk are completely free.
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Ask a QuestionHow to Prevent This
Fit a bird guard on chimney pots, especially if the chimney is not in regular use. Have unused chimneys capped with a ventilated cowl.
Related Problems
Smoke from the fire or stove blowing back into the room instead of going up the chimney.
The fire burns sluggishly with a poor draught, or the chimney does not pull smoke up effectively.
Lumps of soot or debris falling down the chimney into the fireplace, sometimes accompanied by a draught.
Other Chimney Sweep Problems
Smoke from the fire or stove blowing back into the room instead of going up the chimney.
The fire burns sluggishly with a poor draught, or the chimney does not pull smoke up effectively.
Lumps of soot or debris falling down the chimney into the fireplace, sometimes accompanied by a draught.
An unpleasant musty, smoky, or foul odour coming from the fireplace, especially in warm or humid weather.