Chimney and Duct Cleaning FAQ

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Whether a sweep is needed depends on what the inspection finds, such as soot or creosote buildup or debris. Fireplaces used often in winter usually need sweeping more often than ones used a few times a year.

We protect the area around the fireplace or appliance, then use brushes and a vacuum to remove soot, creosote and debris from the flue, smoke chamber and firebox. While we work, we look for damage, blockages and problems with the damper or cap. We tell you what we found before we leave.

Gas burns cleaner than wood, but the flue can still collect debris, nests or deteriorating masonry that blocks exhaust. Gas exhaust also produces acidic condensate that can wear down an unlined or damaged masonry flue. A yearly inspection catches these problems early.

Chimney professionals use three levels. Level 1 applies when nothing about the system has changed. Level 2 is for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. Level 3 is for when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.

A Level 2 inspection is called for when you install a new appliance, change fuel types, or buy or sell a home. It goes further than a basic check and typically includes a camera look inside the flue. If you're closing on a Brooklyn property with a working chimney, it's worth scheduling one.

In New York City, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of an oil-to-gas conversion. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We can inspect the chimney and install a liner if one is required.

A chimney cap sits over the flue opening to keep out rain, animals and debris, and it often has mesh to stop sparks. A chase cover is a metal panel that seals the top of a framed chimney chase, the boxed enclosure often used with factory-built fireplaces. Both keep water out, which protects the rest of the chimney.

Look for crumbling mortar, loose or spalling bricks, water stains on ceilings or walls near the chimney, rust on the damper, or white staining on the outside masonry. A damper that won't open or close properly also needs attention. Small problems are usually simpler to fix than a chimney that has to be partly rebuilt.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint builds up in the vent run, not just in the lint trap, and restricts airflow. Signs include clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry room, or a burning smell.

The U.S. EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. We'll look at your ducts and tell you honestly whether cleaning makes sense.

The EPA urges caution with chemical treatments such as sanitizers and sealants. We'll talk with you before anything like that is considered, explain what it is and why it might be suggested, and leave the decision to you. The EPA also suggests researching any duct cleaning offer that seems unusually cheap.

Don't use the fireplace or wood stove for at least a day so the firebox and flue are cool. Clear space around the fireplace, appliance or dryer, and move fragile items away from the work area. If we need roof access, have keys or building permission ready.

The time depends on the job, the chimney's condition and how easy it is to reach the roof, and we'll give you an idea when you book. We lay down drop cloths and use vacuums designed to contain soot and dust. We clean up the work area before we leave.

Please keep pets in a closed room or crate while we work. Doors may be open, equipment is running, and soot or dust can be stirred up near the work area. This keeps your pets safe and lets us finish sooner.

Many Brooklyn rowhouses and apartment buildings have a roof hatch or bulkhead door, and some require a key or a super to open it. Let us know ahead of time so we can coordinate with your landlord, co-op board or building staff. For boiler chimneys, keep in mind that NYC's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, so planning work outside that window can make scheduling easier.