The short answer
Yes, EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Chinatown, Manhattan, about two miles from our Fort Greene, Brooklyn office. We handle chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, liners, rebuilding, waterproofing, caps and chase covers, fireplace and damper repair, dryer vent cleaning, and air duct cleaning for the neighborhood's older apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings and rowhouses.
Chinatown is about two miles northwest of our Fort Greene, Brooklyn office, a short trip across the East River. Much of the neighborhood's housing is older: pre-war walk-up apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings with storefronts below and apartments above, and some rowhouses. These buildings usually have masonry chimneys venting boilers, older flues that have been through decades of New York winters, and dryer vents and duct runs fitted into tight spaces. EverSafe Chimney Sweep's certified technicians inspect, clean and repair these systems for building owners, managers and residents who want a clear picture of what their chimneys and vents need.
Chimney Inspections for Older Chinatown Buildings
In most Chinatown buildings, the chimney's main job is carrying exhaust from a boiler or water heater. When that flue is blocked, cracked or corroded, exhaust can back up into the building instead of leaving through the roof. That makes regular inspection important even in buildings where no one has used a fireplace in years.
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. We follow the three inspection levels chimney professionals use. 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 property is sold. A Level 3 inspection is for cases where a suspected hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building. We explain which level fits your situation and what we find.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
Many older New York City buildings have switched, or plan to switch, their boilers from oil to gas. When a building converts, 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 that was built for oil.
If your building is planning a conversion, or has already converted and the chimney was never addressed, we can inspect the flue and tell you whether a liner is needed. When it is, we size and install a liner suited to the appliance so exhaust moves out properly and the masonry is protected from condensate.
Weather, Masonry and the Heat Season
Lower Manhattan winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and nor'easters and summer storms drive rain sideways into exposed brick. Water that soaks into mortar joints freezes, expands and gradually loosens the masonry. Over time that shows up as crumbling crowns, spalling brick, leaning chimney tops and leaks into top-floor apartments.
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. A boiler chimney problem in January is more than an inconvenience, so late summer and early fall are good times to schedule inspections and repairs. Our masonry and weather-protection work includes:
- Chimney caps to keep out rain, debris, birds and animals
- Chase covers for chimneys with framed or metal chases
- Chimney waterproofing with breathable sealants made for masonry
- Chimney repair for crowns, mortar joints and damaged brick
- Chimney rebuilding when a stack is too far gone to patch
- Fireplace and damper repair for units with working fireplaces
Dryer Vent and Air Duct Cleaning
In apartment buildings and rowhouses, dryer vents often run long distances or take several turns before reaching the outside wall. Lint builds up quickly in those runs. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry area, or a burning smell are signs the vent needs attention.
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 also notes duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we won't claim it will. We look at your system first, tell you honestly whether cleaning is warranted, and use chemical treatments only with care and your agreement.
Serving Chinatown and Nearby Neighborhoods
Along with Chinatown, we regularly work in Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill and Fort Greene. Whether you manage a mixed-use building, own a rowhouse or live in a walk-up, we'll show you what we found, explain your options in plain language and let you decide what to do next.