Job of the Month: Install a Wire Chimney-Balloon
Welcome to a brand new year and the first of our regular 'Job of the Month' blog editions. As the winter weather is already very cold and set to get worse before it gets better, most of us are turning up the heating. This means that keeping the chimney of a home clear is more important than ever at the moment and installing a wire chimney-balloon is a quick, inexpensive investment that will keep your chimney safe from roosting birds and could even save your life.
Birds feel the cold just as much as humans do and will seek out any warm, safe place in which to roost: a chimney is, in their eyes, a perfect solution. Birds which roost or nest in a chimney can result in a host of problems for the property owner. An obvious problem is bird droppings, which build up over time and are a source of potentially dangerous bacteria. On occasion, a bird will die inside the chimney; it's body is extremely difficult to remove and will produce an unbearable smell, as well as attracting insects and becoming a hazard to human health.
The buildup of bird droppings and nest debris can, over time, result in a partial or total blockage of the chimney, which prevents deadly carbon monoxide from escaping. Carbon monoxide has been dubbed as 'a silent killer'; as the gas is invisible and has no odour, it can reach a fatal level without the occupants of the property being aware of it.
The old adage that 'prevention is better than cure' is wholly applicable to these potential problems. A fast and reliable way to prevent birds from ever gaining access to a chimney is to install a galvanised wire balloon, which are available as part of the comprehensive collection of ventilation products here at Greengates builders merchant Accrington.
Crafted from strong, durable and corrosion-resistant galvanised steel of premium quality, our chimney balloons are available to purchase at the most competitive price. Installing the balloon is quick and easy; the balloon is bent into shape by hand and placed inside the chimney where it will provide an extensive service life with absolutely no maintenance required. Three different sizes (2.5", 4" and 8") are available to suit any chimney.
For more information about galvanised wire balloons from Greengates builders merchants, please browse our website or get in touch with our dedicated technical team.