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

Chimney Sweep Service in Brooklyn

Serving Brooklyn and nearby cities.

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The short answer

A chimney sweep clears creosote, soot and blockages from your flue and includes an inspection of the chimney inside and on the roof. The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection. Book sooner if you notice smoke smells, poor draft, debris or water in the firebox.

A chimney sweep removes the creosote, soot and debris that build up inside a flue, so smoke and combustion gases leave your home the way they should. Many Brooklyn homes have wood-burning fireplaces, gas inserts, or oil and gas boilers venting through masonry chimneys. For all of them, a regular sweep is also when a trained eye checks the liner, damper, crown and cap. EverSafe Chimney Sweep's certified technicians clean the flue from top to bottom, protect your floors and furniture while they work, and show you what they found before they leave. Below you'll find the signs that it's time, what the service includes, how we work, and what affects the cost.

Signs you need a chimney sweep

Many owners book a sweep on a schedule, but some problems show up between visits. Schedule a cleaning and inspection if you notice any of these:

Any of these can point to heavy creosote, a blockage, or damage. Have a sweep look at it before you light another fire.

  • A smoky or tarry smell from the fireplace, especially on humid days or when the air conditioning runs
  • Poor draft: smoke rolls into the room, fires are hard to start, or the fire smolders instead of burning cleanly
  • Soot chunks, debris, or flakes of brick or flue tile collecting in the firebox
  • White, chalky staining on the brick inside or outside, a sign that moisture is moving through the masonry
  • Scratching, chirping or fluttering in the chimney, which can mean birds, squirrels or raccoons have moved in
  • Water in the firebox or rust on the damper after rain

What's included in every sweep

Every visit follows the same checklist so nothing gets skipped:

If something needs a closer look, such as a cracked flue tile or a hidden leak, we'll explain why and what a camera inspection would show. We won't do any extra work until you agree to it.

  • A look at the fireplace, firebox, damper and smoke chamber before cleaning starts
  • Drop cloths from the entry to the hearth to protect floors and furniture
  • Rotary brushing of the full flue to remove creosote and soot
  • Cleaning of the smoke shelf, smoke chamber and firebox
  • Removal of old nests and debris once the chimney is clear of animals
  • A damper check for smooth operation and a proper seal
  • A Level 1 inspection of the readily accessible parts of the chimney, inside and on the roof
  • An exterior check of the crown, cap, flashing and visible brick and mortar
  • Photos and a plain-language summary of what we found, with any recommended repairs
  • HEPA vacuuming and cleanup of the work area

How our crew works inside your home and on the roof

Inside, we lay drop cloths along the path to the fireplace and seal the fireplace opening before brushing begins. A HEPA vacuum runs throughout the cleaning and draws air in at the firebox, so loosened soot is pulled into the vacuum instead of drifting into your living room. Rotary brushes sized to your flue spin against the liner walls. They break loose flaky and hardened creosote that a standard push brush can miss.

When the condition of the flue is in question, we run a camera up the chimney to look at the liner and the joints between tiles. You can watch the footage with the technician, so you see the same cracks or gaps we do.

On the roof, the crew uses ladders and roof protection suited to the building, whether that's a flat rowhouse roof or a pitched roof on a detached house. From the top, we check the crown for cracks, the cap and screen for damage, and the flashing where the chimney meets the roof. If roof access isn't safe on the day of the visit, we can often sweep from below and tell you what still needs to be checked from above.

The standard we follow

Our work follows NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents. It calls for these systems to be inspected once a year, whether or not you used the fireplace much. Chimney professionals use three inspection levels, and the right one depends on your situation:

In New York City, an oil-to-gas boiler conversion requires the chimney 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. The city's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, so many owners schedule their sweep and inspection before October. That way, heating appliances are venting properly when the heat comes on.

  • Level 1: for chimneys where nothing has changed. It covers the readily accessible parts of the chimney, inside and out.
  • Level 2: needed when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch in fuel, or when the home is sold. It usually includes a camera inspection of the flue.
  • Level 3: used when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building.

What affects the price

Every chimney is different, so the cost depends on what we're working with. The main factors are:

We tell you the price before work begins. If we find something that changes the scope, we stop and talk with you first.

  • Chimney height and how easy it is to reach the roof safely
  • Fuel type: wood fires leave creosote, while oil leaves heavy soot and scale
  • Flue size and shape, the number of flues, and the condition of the liner
  • How much buildup there is, since hardened, glazed creosote takes more time and extra steps to remove
  • Whether a camera inspection or a Level 2 inspection is needed
  • Any repairs found, such as a new cap, damper, crown work or a liner

How a visit works

When you book, we ask about your fuel type, when the fireplace or appliance was last used, how the roof is reached, and any problems you've noticed. Please don't use the fireplace for at least a day before the visit so the ashes and flue are cool.

When the crew arrives, they walk through the job with you, set up floor protection, and do a quick look at the fireplace before cleaning. Next comes the sweep and the inspection, inside and on the roof. Before leaving, the technician cleans up, reviews the photos or camera footage with you, and explains any recommended repairs. You decide what, if anything, happens next.

Chimney Sweep by city

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 chimney be swept?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for an inspection once a year. The inspection shows whether a sweep is needed. Fireplaces used often, or ones with a strong smoky smell or visible buildup, usually need cleaning each year.

Will a chimney sweep make a mess in my house?

It shouldn't. We put down drop cloths, seal the fireplace opening, and run a HEPA vacuum during brushing so soot is captured at the firebox. We clean the work area before we leave.

Do gas fireplaces and boilers need chimney service?

Yes. Gas doesn't leave heavy creosote, but flues can still be blocked by nests or debris. Gas exhaust also creates acidic condensate that can damage an unlined or old masonry flue, so the yearly inspection still matters.

What is creosote and why does it matter?

Creosote is the tarry residue left when wood smoke cools inside the flue. It builds up in layers, can restrict draft, causes odors, and is flammable. Removing it is the main purpose of a sweep.

Do I need a camera inspection?

Not always. We recommend one when there are signs of liner damage, after a chimney fire, when you switch fuel or install a new appliance, or when the home is being sold. Those situations call for a Level 2 inspection.

Do you serve areas outside Brooklyn?

Yes, we work with homeowners in Brooklyn and nearby communities. When you get in touch, tell us your address and we'll confirm whether it's in our service area.

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.

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