Chimney Bird Prevention

[MH360]

I am new to the site however have been a frequent reader over the past year in which I have learned a lot. This past winter was the first year having a woodstove so as you can imagine I had a lot of questions which were all answered just by searching this forum so thank you. Last week I had the first bird get in the chimney and actually all the way into the stove. I have a 316 6" Ventis Class A chimney with the clean out T at the bottom. After getting the bird out, I put a temporary screen over my chimney cap to prevent future birds over the spring and summer. A better way in my opinion to prevent birds would be to push my chimney brush up from the bottom, all the way to the top and just put the T-cap on and leave it in there. When its time to burn again, just pull the brush out and you are good to go. I would put a dummy note inside the stove just for a reminder. Its a poly brush, so I wouldn't have to worry about it rusting and creating a mess. Also the chimney could still breath since this wouldn't totally block it off, in return creating condensation by temperature changes. In my opinion this would be a slick prevention method, but obviously I type all this because I would like to hear others opinions and whether they think its a good idea or not. The chimney was plenty expensive so I don't want to do anything that could damage it in any way. Thanks in advance for the responses.

 

[BJ64]

Sounds like a fantastic idea to me! I had to put a "like" on that.

Oh by the way welcome to the form! Just one word of caution, they guy that posted below me is a certified pyro nut and should't be trusted with a box of matches for any reason!

 

[MH360]

Haha. Excellent, thank you for the reply. I look forward to hearing others input as well, positives or negatives. Thanks.

 

[Lake Girl]

A bird is not bad, wait until you have a squirrel in there who comes flying out the door when you open it to check on whether the kindling is starting Many years ago now but add in three young children and a dog who just makes matters worse when you're trying to get the critter out the door!

Brush idea sounds like a good solution but don't forget the note on the stove...

 

[jetsam]

My solution so far this year has been to keep a low fire going all the time. Birds and squirrels don't like that!

Forecast in the 60s next week though- I will probably go up top and put a screen on the cap in a week or so.

I do have a brush I could jam up there, but I don't see the point. I need to go up top to clean the cap at the end of the burning season anyway, so it's not even costing me an extra trip to the roof.

Including a photo of my wife's new squirrel for Lake Girl.

 

[realstihl]

Funny looking squirrel.

 

[CenterTree]

... After getting the bird out, I put a temporary screen over my chimney cap to prevent future birds over the spring and summer. A better way in my opinion to prevent birds would be to push my chimney brush up from the bottom, all the way to the top and just put the T-cap on and leave it in there. ....

Welcome!!

While the brush seems like a decent idea... Why not just attach (and LEAVE on) a dedicated (specific) ran cap screen for the Ventis cap?

 

[MH360]

Wow...I could imagine the squirrel being all kinds of fun!! I guess the kindling was starting pretty well since it sounds like he was pretty excited to get out of there.

As for the rain cap screen, I was always under the impression from word of mouth or from reading that a screen like the one pictured isn't good for burning wood due to creosote build up. Right now I have what Ventis calls the "wood burning rain cap" where its a little more open. From what I have seen they do offer another one that is closed up a little more but when buying the system the guy recommended the more open one since I had planned on burning wood 100% of the time for at least the first few years. Please feel free to correct me if my information is incorrect.

 

[Lake Girl]

Including a photo of my wife's new squirrel for Lake Girl.

He/She is an acceptable squirrel, little grey one with the bushy tail is not so much fun inside

 

[Dmriggs]

I posted the idea of leaving the flue brush in the chimney in another forum a month or so back. It DOES work well and yes, the note is an EXCELLENT idea!
It got real cold, real fast one fall and I hurried home, anxious to build a fire and.....yes, I admit ......I forgot about the brush five minutes into the start of nice kindling fire! Luckily I was able to snuff it out as soon as i remembered the brush and was able to save it all. Lol

 

[CenterTree]

I posted the idea of leaving the flue brush in the chimney in another forum a month or so back. It DOES work well and yes, the note is an EXCELLENT idea!
It got real cold, real fast one fall and I hurried home, anxious to build a fire and.....yes, I admit ......I forgot about the brush five minutes into the start of nice kindling fire! Luckily I was able to snuff it out as soon as i remembered the brush and was able to save it all. Lol

I bet you write a note now.

 

[CenterTree]

Wow...I could imagine the squirrel being all kinds of fun!! I guess the kindling was starting pretty well since it sounds like he was pretty excited to get out of there.

As for the rain cap screen, I was always under the impression from word of mouth or from reading that a screen like the one pictured isn't good for burning wood due to creosote build up. Right now I have what Ventis calls the "wood burning rain cap" where its a little more open. From what I have seen they do offer another one that is closed up a little more but when buying the system the guy recommended the more open one since I had planned on burning wood 100% of the time for at least the first few years. Please feel free to correct me if my information is incorrect.

You probably have the one on left. The idea of being more open for creosote is good in theory.
The one on the right would be better for birds, and still be OK for creosote.
A screened one works good for me because I burn well seasoned, dry wood and see less creosote build up.
Yes, the screen will always get a sort of dark flaky crust attached to it, but that all comes off during your routine flue cleaning.

If you are gonna sweep from the top down, you would clean the screen at that point.
If you are sweeping from the bottom up, your brush would knock off (clean) any soot on the screen as you go up to the cap's lid.

The brush and note is still good though.
Just hate to see ya pull that brush down one year and find a bee's nest attached.

 

[MH360]

Dmriggs - I am glad you have had good success with the brush with the exception of the one slight mishap. I will definently being going the brush route as it sounds like there aren't any real drawbacks.

CenterTree - you hit the nail on the head as for the cap I currently have and the other one they offer. Good information to know about the creosote build up. I think this will be my long term solution but right now I don't want to spend the extra money since my other one is basically brand new.

Thanks for all the replies.