From Interlochen to South Arlington, we clear bird and debris nests fast — and cap the flue so they don't come back.
If you've heard scratching, chirping, or a musty odor drifting down your flue in Interlochen, East Arlington, or one of the newer builds around Viridian, there's a good chance a nest has taken up residence in your chimney. Arlington's mix of 1970s-2000s masonry fireplaces and factory-built metal flues both offer easy entry points once a cap goes missing or a screen rusts through, and once a nest is in place it can trap moisture, block draft, and become a genuine fire hazard. Lowes Chimney Sweep handles nest and debris removal throughout Arlington seven days a week, working carefully around protected species and always with an eye toward keeping the problem from coming back.
Open, uncapped flues look like a hollow tree to a bird hunting for shelter, and chimney swifts in particular are drawn to the rough interior of older masonry flues common in South Arlington and the Dalworthington Gardens area. Squirrels and other debris-builders favor the wider, sheltered openings of factory-built chimneys on newer suburban homes. Once nesting material accumulates, it restricts airflow, traps combustible debris near the flue walls, and can push smoke and carbon monoxide back into the living space instead of up and out.
Arlington sits in one of the country's more hail-prone corridors, and repeated hail and high-wind events chip away at chimney caps, flashing, and mortar joints faster than in calmer climates. Add in the clay-soil shifting that's common across North Texas foundations, and small cracks or gaps open up around the chimney crown — exactly the kind of opening a bird or squirrel needs to get inside. Homes in Interlochen and East Arlington with original 1970s-90s masonry chimneys are especially prone to this cycle, while newer Viridian-area builds with prefab metal chimneys can lose their factory caps to storm damage just as easily. A full chimney inspection after a rough spring storm season is often how Arlington homeowners first discover a nest has moved in.
Any of these signs point to a blockage that a standard chimney sweep alone may not fully clear, since compacted nesting material often needs to be manually broken up and removed by hand or specialty tool.
Arlington homeowners can get a straightforward answer before hail season does more damage.
(214) 225-8874We start with a camera-assisted look down the flue to confirm what's built up and whether any occupants are protected under nesting-season rules. Old, inactive nests and general debris are removed by hand, the flue is cleared and swept, and we check the smoke chamber and crown for hail or wind damage that may have let the animal in to begin with. Once the flue is clear, we recommend a properly fitted chimney cap or a repair to your existing flashing so the same spot doesn't reopen the door to another nest next spring. For chimneys with recurring animal activity, our animal removal service handles anything still living inside before cleanout begins.
Nest removal pricing depends on how much material has accumulated, whether the nest is active or inactive, how the flue is accessed (masonry versus factory-built), and whether hail or wind damage to the cap or crown needs repair at the same time. Chimneys that have gone several seasons without a cap tend to need more extensive cleanout than one caught early. All Lowes Chimney Sweep services in Arlington start at $99, and we always inspect before quoting so there are no surprises once we're on the roof. Request a Free Online Quote and we'll give you a clear, itemized picture of what your specific chimney needs, whether that's a quick cleanout or a full chimney repair after storm season. For more on why this keeps happening in North Texas, see our post on protected chimney swifts and what homeowners can (and can't) do and how spring storms damage Arlington chimneys.
"Very pleased with the professionalism and promptness of service. The chimney sweep was done quickly and efficiently at significantly less cost than the first quote I got from another company. Happy to recommend Lowes Chimney Sweep to anyone in Plano!"
"Outstanding chimney sweep service from start to finish. They were punctual, courteous, and left our chimney spotless with no mess in our home. I won't use anyone else for chimney services in Dallas TX!"
More reviews from homeowners across the metroplex are on our reviews section, or learn more about our team before you book.
Chimney swifts are federally protected during active nesting season, so we first confirm whether eggs or young are present before any removal. Inactive nests and general debris can typically be cleared right away, which is common in older Interlochen and East Arlington masonry chimneys.
Usually it's a missing or damaged chimney cap, and Arlington's hail and high winds are especially hard on caps and crowns. Once we clear the nest, capping the flue is the step that actually stops the cycle.
Yes, dried nesting material sitting against a hot flue liner or firebox wall is a real ignition risk, and blocked draft can also push smoke and carbon monoxide back into the home. This is one reason we recommend clearing nests promptly rather than waiting until next fireplace season.
Yes, homes in areas like Viridian with factory-built metal chimneys are just as vulnerable, especially if the factory cap was damaged or blown off in a storm. Prefab flues can actually be easier for animals to enter once the cap is compromised.
Chirping or fluttering usually points to birds, while scratching and heavier movement can mean squirrels or raccoons still inside. We inspect first to identify what's actually there, then handle nest and debris removal or coordinate live removal accordingly.
Straight answers from our DFW chimney pros before you book.
