chimney noise

[davidm1969]

Hi there have got a strange noise intermittently coming from wall - there's a vent and looks like an old chimney breast [mid floor flat; also heard in basement flat]. Since Sunday 28th so for 3 days

video here chimney noise

Any thoughts/ideas what this could be?

It's not scratching so doesnt sound like it would be any sort of animals [mice or birds]. Given it's been going on for 3 days - I'm not sure what if anything could be falling and making that sort of noise

What would be best way to investigate - do modern chimney sweeps use cameras to look from top of a chimney stack?

thanks for all the expert advice [i hope] in anticipation

Best

 

[jj4091]

do modern chimney sweeps use cameras to look from top of a chimney stack?

Yes I would think so. Or someone who instals flue liners for wood burners

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Was it raining at the time? It just sound like pouring/splashing water.

Do you or the neighbours have any damp on or around it?

 

[davidm1969]

Was it raining at the time? It just sound like pouring/splashing water.

Do you or the neighbours have any damp on or around it?

No it's from Sunday onwards so has been dry. No damp I'm aware of

 

[Koolpc]

Check for an Amazonian, 12 legged yellow beaked mud beetle. They make that noise during their mating season.

 

[mattylad]

Whats above?
Could be an internal leak if the bathroom is upstairs above it? (or a water tank even higher).

You could try removing the vent cover and having a look, a cheap USB camera will go round the corners & display on your phone.

 

[prutosham]

Hi there have got a strange noise intermittently coming from wall - there's a vent and looks like an old chimney breast [mid floor flat; also heard in basement flat]. Since Sunday 28th so for 3 days

video here chimney noise

Any thoughts/ideas what this could be?

It's not scratching so doesnt sound like it would be any sort of animals [mice or birds]. Given it's been going on for 3 days - I'm not sure what if anything could be falling and making that sort of noise

What would be best way to investigate - do modern chimney sweeps use cameras to look from top of a chimney stack?

thanks for all the expert advice [i hope] in anticipation

Best

From the video, it doesn't sound like typical mice or bird scratching. It could be loose debris, a moving chimney cowl, thermal expansion, or even a bird higher up the flue.

Since the basement flat can hear it too, the source is likely in the shared chimney stack. A chimney sweep with a CCTV camera is the best person to inspect it and identify the cause quickly.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Does it have one of those spinning tops on the chimney pot?

https://chimneycowls.uk/spinning-chimney-cowl-when-to-use-how-to-size-maintain-2025-guide/

 

[davidm1969]

No

 

[Si_]

Likely a bird is building its nest in your chimney, and the sound you hear is dislodged mortar from its nest-based activities. I had this in my previous house, for a few weeks every year, normally between 7am and 9am.