BIRD IN CHIMNEY?

Over the last several years, many people have reported having a bird (or birds in my case!) stuck in their chimney.  While making sure the wire mesh on the chimney cap is securely in place is the best way to prevent this from happening, once they get in there is no way for them to get back out on their own (see diagram below).

Our chimneys are constructed of an inner aluminum chimney, surrounded by an outer chimney tube; it is the three-four inches of space between these tubes where the birds fall down and get stuck.  (I remember thinking that they would fall through to the bottom, but found out there is no way for that to happen.) 

There are only two choices at this point – wait for the inevitable to happen (but then the odor will become very bad and you’ll need to remove them anyway), or cut a hole in the wall covering the chimney, cut a small opening in the outer chimney tube, open your doors and let the birds fly out (if you have a cat or dog in the house, now would be a good time to put them in a bedroom and shut the door!)

1.  Using a drywall knife, cut a square about 6 inches by six inches into the drywall (try to cut the seam at an angle, so when you put the square back in it stays in place and doesn’t fall into the area behind the wall.  The best place to cut the square is on the side of the chimney if possible (it will be easier to reach the tubes for the next step.)

2.  Locate the outer chimney tube; at it’s base are a series of holes already cut into the metal.  You’ll probably need to make one of these holes a little larger (an average sized bird will not be able to fit through otherwise.)  Using a metal cutter (pliers may also work) cut two small slits about one inch long and two inches apart into the bottom of one of the existing holes.  Once done, use the pliers or cutting tool to bend the metal back between the two slits you cut.  This will allow more room for the birds to get out.

3.  Open your doors and the birds should come out on their own and fly outside.  It helps to close any window blinds or shades so the birds are not attracted to the light from these closed windows (if it’s night when you do this, turn on a porch light and turn off as many lights inside as possible – they will always head towards the strongest source of light.)

4.  When you’re done, use the square you cut out to seal the hole.  If you cut it at an angle, it should not fall back into the area behind the wall.  If it does, use a small piece of wood (the size of a ruler) to act as a brace to keep it from falling; you’ll need to secure this piece of wood somehow – use tacks, glue or whatever works to hold it in place.  Then use caulking or putty to seal the seams, let dry, sand and paint.