Party in My Chimney

The chimney cap to my fireplace flue blew off in one of the extreme weather events in recent years (tornado, I think). At the time I didn’t fix it because rain didn’t seem to be getting in, but lately I keep hearing birds…. They sound like they are sitting right above the damper, but I’m on the parlor floor – 3 floors down from the roof. They seem to have a lot of little parties, mostly in the morning. Snacks appear to be seeds of some sort, based on the specimens that have rolled out of the fireplace. I checked things out this weekend and it looks like starlings coming and going. Who should I ask to get rid of their nests? Exterminator or chimney company? Any recommendations? Also, in a Sandy related event, at another house, part of a chimney stack and flue for a wood stove were damaged. I’d like to replace the whole thing. Any recommendations? Funds are limited.

Bessie

in Chimney and Fireplace 11 years and 10 months ago

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nalusurf | 11 years and 10 months ago

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I second Jimmy Legs’ rec for A&A. Andre relined our chimney on a 3 story brownstone in preparation for an oil to gas conversion. Clean work, seemed reasonably priced compared to the other estimates I received.

JimmyLegs | 11 years and 10 months ago

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You most likely have a nest, if you can, let them fledge and then the problem should solve itself. They hang around the nest for about 5 weeks, so maybe they’re about to head out? http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/starlings/tips/solving_problems_starlings.html for chimney repair, i recommend A&A: http://www.aafireplacenyc.com/