At a historic house in Savannah, I found a flue blocked by a whole bird's nest from last season.

The homeowner said they hadn't used the fireplace since spring, and pulling out that huge, packed nest made me start recommending a mid-summer check for anyone with tall trees nearby... has anyone else found something like that after a quiet season?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayes.joel10d ago

Yep, always check before the first cold snap.

angela6879d agoMost Upvoted

Used to think it was overkill, but a burst pipe last winter changed my mind FAST.

victorhill2d ago

Honestly I still think it's overkill for most people! Modern pipes are way better than the old ones, and a quick faucet drip does the same job. That burst pipe sounds like a freak accident, not the norm. Spending all that time and money every year just seems like fear based thinking. I'd rather take the tiny risk than turn my house into a winter prep project.