The short answer
EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Prospect Lefferts Gardens (11225) from our Fort Greene office about two miles away. Our services include chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, liners, waterproofing, rebuilding, and dryer vent and air duct cleaning. Our certified technicians work on the neighborhood's rowhouses, brownstones, detached homes and pre-war apartment buildings.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens is about two miles southeast of our Fort Greene, Brooklyn office, so EverSafe Chimney Sweep technicians can reach homes in the 11225 ZIP code with a short trip. The neighborhood's rowhouses, brownstones, detached homes and pre-war apartment buildings mostly have masonry chimneys. Many have served several heating systems over the years and have weathered a long run of Brooklyn winters. This page covers what we see most often in older homes like these, what an annual inspection includes, and how we handle sweeping, repairs, liners, and dryer vent and air duct cleaning for homeowners and building owners.
Older Brooklyn Homes, Older Chimneys
Many homes in Prospect Lefferts Gardens were built when coal or wood heated the house. Their chimneys were laid in brick and mortar, some with clay tile flues and some with no liner at all. Over the decades, many of these flues have been reused for oil boilers, then gas boilers, water heaters or decorative fireplaces. Each change puts different demands on the masonry inside.
Rowhouses often have chimneys sitting close together along a shared roofline. That makes a careful look at crowns, flashing and the condition of neighboring masonry part of every visit. Detached homes may have a fireplace chimney and a separate heating flue, and each one needs its own attention. We also repair fireplace fireboxes and dampers. A warped or rusted damper that won't close lets heated air escape all winter.
How Brooklyn Weather Wears Down Masonry
Brooklyn winters swing above and below freezing again and again. Water soaks into brick, mortar joints or a cracked crown, then freezes and expands. Each cycle widens the gaps a little more. Humid summers and wind-driven rain from coastal storms add more moisture. Over time, the damage shows up as flaking brick, crumbling mortar, rusted dampers, loose flashing and water stains on walls or ceilings near the chimney.
- Chimney caps and chase covers to keep rain, debris and animals out of the flue
- Chimney waterproofing with a breathable sealer that sheds water but lets masonry dry
- Repointing, crown repair and flashing repair to close the paths water uses to get in
- Chimney rebuilding when the masonry above the roofline is too far gone to patch
Annual 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 is used when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
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. If you own a multi-unit building, schedule your boiler flue inspection and any sweeping in late summer or early fall. That way, repairs are done before the boiler has to run every day.
Converting From Oil 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. We inspect the existing flue and install a liner sized to the new appliance. We can also coordinate timing with your heating contractor so the conversion isn't held up by 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. In rowhouses and apartment buildings, dryer vents often run long distances with several turns, which lets lint build up. We clean the full run and check the exterior termination.
For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. The EPA advises cleaning when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also says duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. We'll tell you what we find and won't push chemical treatments you don't need.
Serving 11225 and Nearby Neighborhoods
Along with Prospect Lefferts Gardens, we regularly work in Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene and Carroll Gardens. Wherever you are, we'll explain what we found, show you photos when we can, and walk you through your options before any repair begins.
ZIP codes we serve
- 11225