Chimney Sweep with bird cowls

50Twuncle

We have bird cowls on our chimney pots (after we had a pidgeon down the chimney a few years ago) - it survived but made a mess of our newly decorated living room - when released from behind the gas fire.
The cowls are not clamped on - just sit using gravity and sprung arms..
How will a chimney sweep ensure that they remain in place when he puts his brushes up the chimney ?
If they fall off - they may go through our conservatory roof !

Ruski

I hate to state the obvious, but won't he/she take them off first??? Sweeps are not un-used to climbing to stacks and pots!

HTH

Russ

ChimneyChick

A chimney sweep must sweep right through the chimney (and out of the pot) to complete a job. A decent bird guard will be fitted so that the brush can enter into it and not knock it off. If it's a gas fire a decorative, sprung arm cowl is insufficient. We have had cases where birds have pulled them out - and one where they turned them over and nested in it! The cowl you have fitted does not appear to be fit for purpose if your chimney needs to be swept regularly.
In response to Ruski - sweeps don't have to go onto the roof as part of their regular sweeping and not all will be equipped to do so. Putting up ladders, removing the cowl and then re-climbing to re-fit will increase the bill because of the time taken - a normal sweep would take around 30-45 minutes but including the ladder work could take more than double.
I hope that helps!