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Serving Brooklyn and nearby cities Mon–Fri: 8 AM–8 PM · Requests accepted 24/7 · (571) 745-9853

Chimney Sweep and Chimney Repair in Gowanus, Brooklyn

Serving Gowanus and nearby cities.

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

The short answer

Yes, EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Gowanus, Brooklyn (11231) from our Fort Greene office about 2 miles away. We handle chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, liners, waterproofing, rebuilding, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning for houses and apartment buildings in the neighborhood.

Gowanus sits about 2 miles west of our Fort Greene office, so homes and buildings in 11231 are a short trip for our crews. EverSafe Chimney Sweep cleans, inspects and repairs chimneys, fireplaces, dryer vents and air ducts throughout the neighborhood. That includes brownstones and rowhouses with original fireplaces, pre-war apartment buildings with boiler flues, and newer buildings with long dryer vent runs. Our certified technicians explain what they find in plain terms, show you photos when it helps, and tell you what needs attention now and what can wait.

Chimneys and Vents in Gowanus Housing

Housing in Gowanus is a mix of brownstones, brick rowhouses, pre-war apartment buildings and newer multi-unit buildings. Each type needs different chimney and venting work. Older rowhouses often have several fireplaces sharing one masonry stack, and some of those flues have been unused or sealed for years. Before you light a fire in one again, it should be inspected, cleaned and checked for a working damper and an intact liner.

In apartment buildings, the chimney usually serves a boiler or water heater rather than a fireplace. Those flues run hard all winter. Liner deterioration, loose mortar or debris at the base can affect how exhaust leaves the building. In newer buildings, the bigger concern is often long dryer vent runs and ductwork that collect lint and dust out of sight.

What Brooklyn Weather Does to Masonry

New York winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Water soaks into brick and mortar joints, freezes, expands and slowly pushes the masonry apart. Over a few seasons this shows up as cracked crowns, crumbling joints, flaking brick and stains on interior walls near the chimney. Wind-driven rain from coastal storms and humid summers add to the moisture.

Our crews look for these signs on every visit. Depending on what we find, the fix may be a new chimney cap or chase cover to keep rain and animals out, a breathable waterproofing treatment for the brick, or repointing. When a stack has deteriorated badly above the roofline, partial or full chimney rebuilding may be the safer choice.

The city's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, so boiler chimneys in Gowanus buildings work for most of the year. Late spring and summer are the easiest times to schedule repairs without interrupting heat for tenants.

Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners

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. We inspect the existing flue, explain whether a liner is needed and what type and size fits the new appliance, and then install it.

A switch of fuel is also one of the situations that calls for a Level 2 inspection, so the inspection and the liner work fit together.

Services Available in 11231

Every service below is available to Gowanus homeowners and building owners:

  • Chimney Sweep: removing soot, creosote and debris from fireplace and appliance flues
  • Chimney Inspection: Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections that follow NFPA 211
  • Chimney Repair: repointing, crown repair, flashing and other masonry fixes
  • Chimney Liner Installation: relining for gas conversions, damaged flues and new appliances
  • Chimney Cap & Chase Cover: keeping rain, debris and animals out of the flue
  • Chimney Waterproofing: breathable sealants that help brick shed moisture
  • Fireplace & Damper Repair: fixing dampers that stick, leak or no longer close
  • Chimney Rebuilding: partial or full rebuilds of failing stacks
  • Dryer Vent Cleaning: clearing lint from the full vent run to the exterior
  • Air Duct Cleaning: removing heavy dust, debris or contamination from ductwork

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. If clothes take longer to dry, the laundry area feels hot, or you notice a burning smell, the vent likely needs cleaning. We clean the full run, not just the area behind the dryer, and check the exterior opening.

For air ducts, we follow EPA guidance. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. Duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we will tell you if your ducts don't need it. The EPA also warns consumers to research very cheap advertised offers and to be careful with chemical treatments. We only recommend a treatment when there is a clear reason for it.

Scheduling and Nearby Neighborhoods

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. For most Gowanus homes, booking in late summer or early fall leaves time for any repairs before heat season starts. We also serve nearby Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn.

ZIP codes we serve

  • 11231

Services in Gowanus

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

Do you serve all of Gowanus?

Yes. We work throughout Gowanus in the 11231 ZIP code. Our office in Fort Greene is about 2 miles away.

How often should my chimney be inspected?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection fits when nothing has changed. A Level 2 inspection is used when you change appliances or fuel or sell the home. A Level 3 inspection is used when a hidden hazard requires opening part of the chimney or building.

My rowhouse has an old fireplace that hasn't been used in years. Is it safe to use?

Don't use it until it has been inspected. Unused flues can have blockages, nesting animals, damaged liners or dampers that no longer work. We'll inspect and clean it and tell you what, if anything, needs repair first.

Our building is switching from oil to gas. Does the chimney need work?

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

Why is my chimney leaking during storms?

Common causes are a cracked crown, missing or damaged cap, failed flashing, or brick that absorbs water. Brooklyn's freeze-thaw winters and wind-driven rain make these problems worse over time. An inspection pinpoints the source so the repair addresses the actual problem.

Do I really need my air ducts cleaned?

Not always. The EPA advises cleaning when there is substantial visible mold, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. If your ducts don't show those signs, we'll tell you.

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