The short answer
EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Bushwick, Brooklyn (ZIP 11237) from our Fort Greene office about 3 miles away. We handle chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, liners, caps, waterproofing, rebuilding, and dryer vent and air duct cleaning for rowhouses, frame houses, and pre-war apartment buildings.
EverSafe Chimney Sweep works throughout Bushwick, Brooklyn (ZIP 11237), about 3 miles east of our office in Fort Greene. The neighborhood's housing is varied: brick rowhouses, wood-frame houses, pre-war walk-up apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings with storefronts below, and older industrial spaces converted to homes. Each has its own chimney and venting setup, and many have been changed over the decades. Our certified technicians sweep, inspect, and repair chimneys, install liners, and clean dryer vents and air ducts for Bushwick homeowners and building owners. Below is what we commonly see here and how we approach it.
Chimneys in Bushwick's Older Buildings
Many Bushwick chimneys were built long before today's heating equipment existed. A flue that once served a coal stove or an oil boiler may now vent a gas furnace, a water heater, or nothing at all. Fireplaces in rowhouses are often sealed, reopened, or converted. Walk-ups and mixed-use buildings may share one masonry chimney among several appliances.
These changes are why we start with a careful look at the whole system rather than assuming it works the way it was originally designed.
- Cracked or missing clay flue tiles in unlined or partly lined masonry flues
- Loose bricks and eroded mortar near the top of the chimney, where weather hits hardest
- Rusted or stuck fireplace dampers in rowhouses
- Missing caps that let in rain, debris, and birds
- Creosote buildup in fireplaces used regularly through the winter
Yearly Inspections and the Heat Season
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection fits when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. A Level 3 inspection applies when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, and building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures during that time. For Bushwick landlords and owners of multi-family buildings, late summer is a practical window to have the boiler chimney inspected and swept so any repairs are finished before the heat has to stay on.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
Plenty of Bushwick buildings have converted, or are planning to convert, their boilers from oil to gas. When a New York City building makes that switch, 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 from the inside.
We inspect the existing flue, check that it is sized correctly for the new equipment, and install a properly fitted liner when one is needed. We also line flues for homeowners whose old clay tiles are cracked or missing.
Weather Damage: Caps, Crowns, and Waterproofing
Brooklyn winters bring repeated freezing and thawing, and nor'easters push wind-driven rain against exposed rooftop masonry. Water that soaks into brick and mortar expands when it freezes, gradually loosening joints and cracking the chimney crown. Humid summers add their own moisture.
A well-fitted chimney cap keeps rain and animals out of the flue, and a chase cover protects framed chimneys. Breathable waterproofing helps brick shed water while letting trapped moisture escape. When masonry above the roofline has deteriorated too far for spot repair, we rebuild that section of the chimney.
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. Long or crowded vent runs in older buildings tend to collect lint quickly, so we clean the full length of the vent, not just the lint trap area.
For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance: cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, and it advises caution with chemical treatments and with very cheap advertised offers. We'll tell you plainly whether your ducts need cleaning.
Nearby Neighborhoods We Serve
Along with Bushwick, we work in South Williamsburg, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, and Downtown Brooklyn. Our technicians know the brick rowhouses, brownstones, and pre-war buildings common across this part of Brooklyn.
ZIP codes we serve
- 11237