Chimney Pots Cowls and Bird Guards

Bird cowls.
In today’s society, with fewer and fewer trees and hedges, birds and squirrels are looking for a warm cosy and accessible place to nest. Unfortunately a chimney flue is both cosy warm and accessible, unless it has been fitted with a bird cowl.
Bird and squirrel nests are not only unwanted but are also dangerous as they can block the flue gasses from escaping causing carbon monoxide build up. They may also present a health and hygiene hazard as maggots and insects often live within these nests as do dangerous fungal spores.

Anti down draught cowls
In some areas of high pressure or turbulent air, back smoking of the fire might occur, in some cases this can be remedied by fitting an aspirator to the chimney top. A clean Sweep, Sweep will advise on any problems found while sweeping a chimney free of charge.

Breather caps: When a chimney is not in use, hot air continues to flow from the room to the outside air at a rate of approximately 65 cubic meters per hour, this is not particularly good for the environment or for heating bills. Also rain water, birds and squirrels can still enter the open top causing further problems. For these reasons we at clean sweep advise that all non functional chimneys are capped of at the top with an appropriate breather cap which will minimize heat loss while still allow the chimney to breath and remain dry.