Calling any Chimney sweeps

Yes i know its a strange request but i've had a look on the web and cant find chimneysweep.org/forum.

I've got a birds nest in my unused chimney, can hear the little blighters twittering away, I'm going to buy a cowl and get up on roof to fit it but how do i get rid of the birds and their nest.

1. tie a brick to a rope and drop it down the chimney and smash the nest to bits and pick it oout the fireplace?
2. start a fire in fire palce and hope the smoke drives the birds out before their nest catches on fire.
3. call a professional and pay through the nose.

Oh its a newish 2 storey house, fires never been used.

[Stu]

Assuming you don't need the chimney for a fire.
Leave the birds alone you cruel barsteward!

Assuming you need a cowl to stop the rain causing damp - the birds should be leaving the nest for winter if not already (someone correct me if wrong) so please wait til they do. Then whoever puts the cowl on should be able to lift out the nest - no?

Oh and you're just not looking hard enough for www.chimneysweep.org/forum

[Stingo]

If you lived in my neck of the woods I'd lend you my brushes...anyone else need their chimney cleaning - must live in Plymouth area!! Good rates!!

Start a fire as normal, if the afore mentioned bird nest catches alight then call the fire brigade, say you have a chimney fire and they will rod your chimney free of charge, and they do a bloody good job, When i was in the fire service you could put your mortgage on the same people each year would have a "chimney fire" just to save money

When/If you call for assistance say its making roaring sounds like a jet engine,

Originally Posted by Stu

Assuming you don't need the chimney for a fire.
Leave the birds alone you cruel barsteward!

Assuming you need a cowl to stop the rain causing damp - the birds should be leaving the nest for winter if not already (someone correct me if wrong) so please wait til they do. Then whoever puts the cowl on should be able to lift out the nest - no?

Dont need the chimney for a fire and its never been used for a fire, but I've already lifted 1 dead bird out of the fire grate so the plan is to chase the birds out, get rid of the nest and put a cowl on to stop birds getting back in. I wasn't intending being cruel. Its actually for the birds benefit as much as mine.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

Its actually for the birds benefit as much as mine.

Depriving them of a perfectly good nesting site for no reason.
Ah, it's all becoming clearer now

On a serious chimney related note. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to have a chimney cleaned and a wood burning fire put in (fireplace surround/mantlepiece is there, but it'd need a stone "bottom" and presumably sides and back of the bit the fire goes in as well as one of those metal doors to keep the draught out)?

I know it'll vary based on size etc. but a rough, ball park idea.

I've lived in a house that had one before and loved it and it wasn't half as messy/a hassle to run as people make out.

[Sir Trev]

Go to screwfix.com and buy a set of drain cleaning rods for twenty quid. You can get a chimney sweeping brush for another fiver and do the job yourself. If the fire has never been lit you will not have a very messy hearth when you're done. If the birds are roosting there then just shoo them out, if they are rearing a brood then give them another few weeks (see above "cruel" and "heartless" comments - another couple of weeks won't make a difference!). You should be able to tell from the cheaping noises if there are fledglings in the nest or just sheltering adults up there. Late broods should be flying the nest about now so give them a chance.

The bonus is you will have the drain cleaning attachments too and will be able to clear the congealed gunge from the kitchen gully yourselfnext time istead of being fleeced by a local cowboy with no more nouse than you and exactly the same kit!!

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Go to screwfix.com and buy a set of drain cleaning rods for twenty quid. You can get a chimney sweeping brush for another fiver and do the job yourself. If the fire has never been lit you will not have a very messy hearth when you're done. If the birds are roosting there then just shoo them out, if they are rearing a brood then give them another few weeks (see above "cruel" and "heartless" comments - another couple of weeks won't make a difference!). You should be able to tell from the cheaping noises if there are fledglings in the nest or just sheltering adults up there. Late broods should be flying the nest about now so give them a chance.

The bonus is you will have the drain cleaning attachments too and will be able to clear the congealed gunge from the kitchen gully yourselfnext time istead of being fleeced by a local cowboy with no more nouse than you and exactly the same kit!!

Beat me too it. I have a set and they are very useful.

Just send the cat up there!