About EverSafe Chimney Sweep

EverSafe Chimney Sweep cleans and inspects chimneys, fireplaces, dryer vents and air ducts for homes in and around Brooklyn. Our approach is simple: look carefully, explain what we find in plain language, and recommend only the work your home actually needs. Our technicians are certified, and we treat every visit as a chance to leave you better informed about how your home's venting and air systems work.

Inspection comes before any recommendation

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year, and we build our work around that idea. A yearly look is how small problems, like a cracked flue tile, a loose cap or a buildup of creosote, get caught before they turn into bigger ones.

Chimney professionals use three levels of inspection, and we explain which one fits your situation before we start. Most homes need a Level 1 inspection, which applies when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when something does change, such as a new appliance or a switch in fuel, or when a home is being sold. A Level 3 inspection is reserved for cases where a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building.

After an inspection, we walk you through what we saw. If a cleaning or repair makes sense, we tell you why. If your system is in good shape, we tell you that too.

• We explain which inspection level applies to your home and why
• We describe our findings in plain terms, not technical jargon
• We separate what needs attention now from what can wait
• We don't push work your home doesn't need

Work shaped by how Brooklyn homes are built and heated

Homes around Brooklyn range from row houses and brownstones to multi-family buildings and newer construction, and their chimneys and vents vary just as much. Many older buildings have masonry flues that were built for oil or coal and now serve gas boilers or water heaters. We look at each system as it actually exists, not as a one-size-fits-all checklist.

Fuel changes matter. When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of that work. A new liner is often needed, because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. If your building is planning a conversion or has recently gone through one, we can look at the chimney and explain what we find.

Timing matters too. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, when building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling chimney inspection and cleaning before that season starts gives you time to handle any repairs before the heating system is needed.

Honest advice on dryer vents and air ducts

Dryer vents are easy to forget, but they deserve regular attention. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. We clear lint from the full length of the vent run, not just the area behind the dryer, and point out any crushed, disconnected or poorly routed sections.

For air ducts, we follow the guidance of the U.S. EPA. The EPA advises cleaning ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we won't claim that it will. We look first and recommend cleaning only when one of those conditions is present.

The EPA also encourages homeowners to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers, and to be careful with chemical treatments. We welcome your questions, explain our methods before we begin, and talk through any chemical treatment with you rather than applying one by default.

• Full-length dryer vent cleaning, with notes on any damaged sections
• Air duct cleaning recommended only when there is visible mold, vermin or heavy debris
• No health claims we can't back up
• Clear explanations of methods and any treatments before work begins