Chimney and Duct Cleaning FAQ

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Whether you also need a sweep depends on what the inspection finds, such as soot or creosote buildup or debris. Many homeowners schedule before New York City's heat season starts on October 1, so the system is ready when it's needed most.

Common signs include a strong smoky or campfire smell, smoke coming back into the room, fires that are hard to start or keep going, and black flakes falling into the firebox. Birds or other animals nesting in the flue are another reason to call. If you notice any of these, stop using the fireplace until it's checked.

Yes. The NFPA 211 standard covers vents as well as chimneys and fireplaces, and it calls for a yearly inspection whatever the fuel. Gas appliances don't leave heavy soot, but their flues can still become blocked, damaged or corroded.

A Level 1 inspection is the routine check used when nothing about your system has changed. A Level 2 is called for when something changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. A Level 3 is used when a suspected hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.

Under the inspection levels chimney professionals use, a home sale calls for a Level 2 inspection. It looks more closely than a routine check and often includes a camera inspection of the flue. That gives buyers and sellers a clear picture of the chimney's condition before closing.

When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, so a new liner is often needed. Our certified technicians can evaluate your chimney and install a properly sized liner if one is required.

Leaks often come from a missing or damaged chimney cap, a rusted chase cover, a cracked crown, failed flashing, or masonry that absorbs water. We find the source first, then recommend the fix, which may be a new cap or chase cover, masonry repair, or chimney waterproofing. Fixing leaks early helps prevent bigger damage to the brick and the walls around it.

Yes, fireplace and damper repair is one of our services. A damper that won't close lets heated air escape, and one that won't open is a smoke hazard. Depending on its condition, we can repair the existing damper or recommend a replacement.

Many problems, such as loose bricks or worn mortar joints, can be handled with targeted repairs. Rebuilding may be needed when the masonry is leaning, crumbling across a large area, or badly damaged above the roofline. We'll show you what we found and explain why we're recommending one option over the other.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint builds up in the vent line over time, even if you empty the lint trap after every load. Warning signs include clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry room, and lint collecting around the outside vent opening.

The U.S. EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, and it urges care with chemical treatments. We'll tell you honestly whether your ducts need cleaning and talk through any treatment with you before it's used.

Please don't use the fireplace or wood stove the day before your visit so the ashes and flue have time to cool. Clear the area around the fireplace, appliance or dryer, and move anything fragile off the mantel. Let us know ahead of time about any access issues.

It depends on the service and what we find. A routine sweep and inspection takes much less time than a liner installation or masonry repair, which may run across more than one visit. We'll give you an estimate of the time when we schedule and update you if anything changes.

We lay down drop cloths around the work area and use vacuum equipment designed to contain soot and dust. Our goal is to leave the room as clean as we found it. If something gets missed, point it out and we'll take care of it.

Please keep pets in a closed room away from the work area while we're there. Doors may be open, equipment and hoses will be on the floor, and the noise can upset animals. It keeps your pets safe and lets us work without interruptions.

Many chimneys in rowhouses and apartment buildings are reached through a roof hatch or bulkhead door. Please arrange access with your landlord, superintendent, co-op or condo board, or neighbors ahead of time if needed, and let us know if the hatch is locked. Some work can be done from inside, and we'll tell you in advance whether roof access is needed for your job.