The short answer
Yes, EverSafe Chimney Sweep serves Two Bridges, about 2 miles from our Fort Greene, Brooklyn office. Our certified technicians handle chimney sweeping, inspections, liners and repairs, plus dryer vent and air duct cleaning for apartments and small buildings.
Two Bridges is a Manhattan neighborhood about 2 miles northwest of our office in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, so our crews can reach you without a long trip. EverSafe Chimney Sweep cleans, inspects and repairs chimneys, fireplaces, liners, dryer vents and air ducts for homeowners, co-op and condo boards, and small building owners here. Our certified technicians explain what they find in plain terms and show you photos, so you can decide what needs attention now and what can wait.
Chimneys in Two Bridges Housing
Most homes in Two Bridges are in multi-family buildings. These include pre-war walk-ups, mixed-use buildings with apartments above storefronts, and larger apartment buildings. Some residents have working fireplaces. Many more live in buildings where a shared masonry chimney vents the boiler. Both kinds of chimneys need regular attention, and their needs are different.
For fireplaces, we sweep away creosote and soot. We also check the firebox, smoke chamber and damper, and we look for cracked flue tiles. For boiler chimneys, we focus on draft, the condition of the liner, and the base of the flue, where debris and condensation tend to collect.
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 the right choice when you add a new appliance, switch fuels, or buy or sell a home. A Level 3 inspection is for cases where a suspected hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
Many older Manhattan buildings have switched their boilers from oil to gas. When a New York City building makes that conversion, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work, and a new liner is often needed. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate. Over time, that moisture can corrode a masonry flue, loosen mortar and let water seep into the walls.
Your building may be planning a conversion, or it may have finished one without ever having the flue checked. In either case, we can inspect and measure the chimney and install a properly sized liner. A correctly sized liner helps the new boiler draft as intended and protects the masonry.
Weather, Water and Masonry Repair
Two Bridges sits along the East River. Buildings here face wind-driven rain, humid summers, and cold winters with repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Water is the main threat to a chimney. It soaks into brick and mortar, then freezes and expands, breaking the masonry apart a little more each winter. A missing cap also lets in rain, birds and debris.
- Chimney caps and chase covers to keep out rain, animals and debris
- Chimney waterproofing with a breathable sealant that still lets masonry dry out
- Chimney repair, including repointing, crown repair and flashing work
- Chimney rebuilding when the top of a stack is too deteriorated to patch
- Fireplace and damper repair for drafty, rusted or stuck dampers
Dryer Vents and Air Ducts
Apartment dryers often vent through long runs with several turns, so lint builds up where you can't see it. 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 or the laundry area feels unusually hot, have the vent cleaned.
For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold growth, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we won't claim it does. We show you what we find before recommending any work, and we are careful about chemical treatments.
Planning Around Heat Season
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During that period, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. That makes late spring and summer the easiest time for liner and masonry work on boiler chimneys, because the system can be shut down without leaving tenants cold. Fireplace owners also benefit from booking before the fall rush.
Besides Two Bridges, we also serve nearby Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill and Fort Greene.