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Chimney Sweep and Chimney Repair in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Serving Brooklyn Heights and nearby cities.

  • Diagnosis before any repair
  • Photos of every finding
  • Written price before we start
Call (571) 745-9853Request Service

The short answer

EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Brooklyn Heights from our Fort Greene office, about a mile away. Our certified technicians sweep, inspect, repair and reline chimneys in brownstones, rowhouses and pre-war apartment buildings. We also clean dryer vents and air ducts.

Brooklyn Heights has some of the oldest housing in the borough, and many of its chimneys have been in service for generations. EverSafe Chimney Sweep is based in Fort Greene, about a mile from Brooklyn Heights, so our certified technicians can reach most homes here quickly for sweeping, inspections, repairs and vent cleaning. You might own a brownstone with several fireplaces or a rowhouse with a single working flue. You might manage a pre-war apartment building with a boiler chimney. In each case, we focus on what your system needs to run safely and stay dry.

Chimneys in Brooklyn Heights Homes

Most homes in the neighborhood are attached brownstones and rowhouses. Their chimneys often hold several flues: one for each fireplace floor, plus a flue for the boiler or water heater. Over the decades, some of these fireplaces were sealed off or kept only for decoration. Others were reopened by a new owner. Before you light a fireplace that has sat unused for years, get a full inspection. Mortar joints, dampers and flue tiles can break down where you cannot see them.

Pre-war apartment buildings raise different concerns. Their chimneys usually serve a central boiler, and many have changed fuels over the years. When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We inspect these chimneys and install liners sized to the appliance they serve.

What Brooklyn Weather Does to Masonry

New York winters swing above and below freezing again and again. Water soaks into brick, mortar or a cracked chimney crown, then freezes and expands. Each cycle widens the gaps a little more. Wind-driven rain from coastal storms pushes moisture into the sides of tall chimneys. Humid summers can leave a damp flue smelling of soot and creosote. Watch for these signs:

A properly fitted chimney cap, a sound crown and a breathable masonry water repellent all help slow this damage. Where brick has badly failed, we repoint or rebuild the damaged section instead of patching over it.

  • Water stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney
  • Crumbling mortar joints or brick faces that flake off (spalling)
  • Rust on the damper or inside the firebox
  • White, chalky deposits on the outside brick
  • A musty or smoky odor during warm, humid weather

Annual Inspections and Sweeping

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three levels of inspection, and the right one depends on your situation:

Many Brooklyn Heights owners book service in late summer or early fall. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During that time, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. It is easier to fix a boiler flue problem before the heat has to be on. Sweeping removes creosote and soot buildup, and we explain anything that needs attention in plain terms.

  • Level 1: a standard check when nothing about the system has changed
  • Level 2: needed when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold
  • Level 3: used when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building

Dryer Vents and Air Ducts

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. In rowhouses and apartments, dryer vents often run a long way or through tight turns to reach an outside wall, so lint builds up faster. Longer drying times or a hot laundry area usually mean the vent needs cleaning.

For air ducts, we follow the guidance from the U.S. EPA. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold growth, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. Duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. The EPA also advises researching the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and being careful with chemical treatments. If your ducts do not need cleaning, we will tell you.

Services We Offer in Brooklyn Heights

We also work in nearby Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene and Carroll Gardens.

  • Chimney Sweep
  • Chimney Inspection
  • Chimney Repair
  • Chimney Liner Installation
  • Chimney Cap & Chase Cover
  • Chimney Waterproofing
  • Fireplace & Damper Repair
  • Chimney Rebuilding
  • Dryer Vent Cleaning
  • Air Duct Cleaning

Services in Brooklyn Heights

Nearby areas

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Look first, then recommend

    Every visit begins with an inspection of the parts we can reach. Recommendations come from what we actually find, not from a standard package.

  2. Plain explanations

    We tell you what each problem is, why it matters and what happens if it waits. You decide what gets done and when.

  3. A clean work area

    We cover floors and furniture near the fireplace or vent and contain soot and debris while we work. We clean up before we leave.

FAQ

Common questions

How often should a chimney in Brooklyn Heights be inspected?

Once a year. The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected annually, even if you rarely use the fireplace.

Do I need a special inspection when buying or selling a brownstone?

A Level 2 inspection is the standard when a home is sold. It goes further than a basic check and helps buyers and sellers understand the chimney's condition.

Our building switched its boiler from oil to gas. Does the chimney need a new liner?

Often, yes. In New York City, the chimney has to be evaluated during an oil-to-gas conversion. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode an unlined or poorly lined masonry flue.

Can I use a fireplace that has been sealed for years?

Not until it has been inspected. Dampers, flue tiles and mortar can deteriorate while a fireplace sits unused, so we check the whole system before you light a fire.

How can I tell if my dryer vent needs cleaning?

Common signs include clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry room, or lint collecting around the outside vent opening. Long vent runs in rowhouses and apartments clog faster.

Do you serve neighborhoods near Brooklyn Heights?

Yes. Along with Brooklyn Heights, we serve Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene and Carroll Gardens.

Schedule a chimney or vent visit

Tell us what you're noticing, whether it's a smoky smell, a slow dryer or a cracked crown. We'll inspect, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work begins.

Request Service Call (571) 745-9853
Call (571) 745-9853 Request Service