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

Chimney Inspection in Gowanus, Brooklyn

Serving Gowanus and nearby cities.

Request Service Call (571) 745-9853

Tell us what’s going on

Prefer to talk? (571) 745-9853

The short answer

A chimney inspection in Gowanus checks whether your flue, liner and masonry can safely vent a fireplace, boiler or furnace. The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection. A Level 2 inspection is called for when you change fuel or appliances or when the home is sold.

Gowanus homes run from older brick rowhouses and brownstones to pre-war apartment buildings and newer residential conversions, and many of them share one thing: a masonry chimney that has outlived several heating systems. EverSafe Chimney Sweep inspects chimneys, fireplaces and heating vents throughout Gowanus and ZIP code 11231. Our crews come from Fort Greene, about 2 miles east, so a visit fits easily into the week. Our certified technicians check the flue, liner, smoke chamber, damper, crown and exterior masonry, then explain what they found in plain terms. You'll know whether the system is ready to use, needs cleaning, or needs a repair before the next fire or heating cycle.

Why Gowanus Chimneys Need a Careful Look

Many chimneys in the neighborhood were built for coal or wood and later adapted for oil, then gas. Each change puts different stresses on the flue. Brick and clay tile that held up for decades can crack, lose mortar or shed debris once a new appliance starts sending hotter, wetter or more acidic exhaust through them.

Attached rowhouses add another concern. Chimneys often sit along shared party walls, and some stacks serve more than one flue. A crack or blockage in one flue can let smoke or carbon monoxide move where it shouldn't. Older fireplaces that were closed up and later reopened also deserve a close look before anyone lights a fire.

The Three Levels of Chimney Inspection

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three levels of inspection. We'll recommend the one that matches your situation.

  • Level 1: For a system that hasn't changed and is used the same way as before. We check the readily accessible parts of the chimney and appliance connection for soundness, blockages and buildup.
  • Level 2: Called for when the system changes, such as a new boiler, a new insert or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. This level adds a closer look at the flue interior, usually with a video scan, plus accessible attics, basements and crawl spaces.
  • Level 3: Used when a hidden hazard is suspected and the only way to reach it is to open part of the chimney or building. We only recommend this level when the evidence points to it.

Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners

Plenty of Gowanus brownstones and small apartment buildings have moved, or are planning to move, from oil heat to gas. 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 from the inside.

If a conversion is on your calendar, schedule the inspection early. We'll check the existing flue's size, condition and lining. That way you and your heating contractor know before the new boiler goes in whether the chimney can handle it or needs a liner.

Timing Around NYC Heat Season

New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During those months, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. For landlords and owners of multi-unit buildings, a boiler that can't vent safely in the middle of winter is a serious problem.

Late spring and summer are the easiest times to inspect. The boiler can be shut down, and any repairs can be finished before the weather turns. Homeowners who use a wood-burning fireplace also benefit from a summer or early fall inspection, before the first cold night.

What You Get After the Visit

After the inspection, we walk you through the findings. We show photos or video of anything that needs attention and separate urgent safety issues from items you can plan for later. If the chimney is in good shape, we'll tell you that too.

We also serve nearby Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn. If you own property in more than one of these neighborhoods, we can schedule the inspections together.

More services in Gowanus

Related

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 my Gowanus chimney be inspected?

Once a year. That's what the NFPA 211 standard calls for, and it applies whether you burn wood or use the chimney to vent a gas or oil boiler or furnace.

Do I need an inspection if I only use my fireplace a few times a year?

Yes. Light use can still leave buildup behind, and animal nests, fallen debris or masonry damage can block a flue even when it's rarely used.

I'm buying a brownstone in Gowanus. What level of inspection do I need?

A home sale is one of the situations that calls for a Level 2 inspection. It includes a closer look at the flue interior, usually with a video scan.

We're switching our boiler from oil to gas. Does the chimney need to be checked?

Yes. In New York City the chimney has to be evaluated during an oil-to-gas conversion. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust creates acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue.

When is the best time to schedule?

Late spring through early fall works best. Inspecting outside the October 1 to May 31 heat season leaves time to finish any repairs before the heat has to be on.

Do you serve areas near Gowanus?

Yes. We serve Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn, along with all of Gowanus in ZIP code 11231.

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