Chimney and Duct Cleaning for New York Homes and Buildings
We sweep, inspect and repair chimneys and clean vents and ducts in Lincoln Square, the Upper West Side, Carnegie Hill, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper East Side, Midtown, Turtle Bay, Yorkville and nearby Manhattan neighborhoods.
- We inspect before we recommend any work
- You get photos of what we find
- You get a written price before work starts
Services
Chimney and duct work we do
From a routine sweep to a full rebuild, every job starts with a look at what you actually have. Here is the work we do on chimneys, fireplaces, dryer vents and air ducts.
Straight pricing
No bait prices. No surprises.
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Written price first
Before any work begins, you get a written price for the job we discussed. Nothing starts until you approve it.
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Photos of what we found
We show you pictures of the problem areas so you understand why a repair is recommended. You can keep them for your records or share them with your building.
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No surprise add-ons
If we find something new once the work is underway, we stop and talk with you before doing anything extra. You decide whether to add it.
Warning signs
Call us if you notice any of these
Most problems give a warning first. Catching them early keeps a small fix from turning into a big one.
- A smoky or campfire smell in the room when it's humid
- Smoke drifts into the room instead of going up the flue
- Black flakes or crumbling bits falling into the firebox
- Water stains or peeling paint on the wall near the chimney
- Clothes take two or more cycles to dry
- Heavy dust blowing out of supply vents when the system runs
Inspections
Three levels of chimney inspection
The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection. Which level you need depends on what has changed since the last one.
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Level 1
Annual check
For a chimney and appliance that have not changed and will be used the same way: the readily accessible parts of the chimney, the flue and the connection, checked for soundness, blockages and deposits.
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Level 2
Camera inspection
When something changed — a new stove, insert or boiler, a fuel switch such as oil to gas, the sale of the home, or a chimney fire, storm or quake. Adds a video scan of the whole flue and the accessible attic, roof and crawl spaces.
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Level 3
Concealed areas
Only when a Level 1 or 2 points to a hidden hazard that cannot be checked any other way: parts of the chimney or building are opened to reach it.
About us
Chimney and Vent Work Built Around Manhattan's Older Buildings
EverFlame Chimney Care cleans, inspects and repairs chimneys, fireplaces, dryer vents and air ducts for homes and buildings across Manhattan. Much of the city's housing is older masonry: brownstone flues that may have been relined at some point, wood-burning fireplaces in prewar apartments, and boiler chimneys that have been through a switch from oil to gas. Each of those comes with its own problems, so we start every job by finding out which ones apply to you. Our certified technicians look before they recommend anything. You get a plain explanation of what we found, photos of the inside of the flue or vent, and a written price before any work begins. If a cleaning is all you need, that is all we will suggest. If something needs repair, we will tell you what it is, why it matters, and what can safely wait. We put down drop cloths, use sealed vacuums, and clean up before we leave, because you live where we work.
More about how we workHow it works
Clear steps. Your approval first.
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Book a visit
Call or send a short request: the fireplace, stove, boiler flue or vents you need looked at, and what you have noticed.
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We inspect first
The crew lays down drop cloths, checks the system top to bottom and runs a camera up the flue where it is needed.
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Written price, your call
You see photos of what we found and get the price in writing. Work starts only after you say yes.
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Clean, fix, report
We sweep, repair or reline, vacuum up with HEPA filters and leave you a photo report of the finished work.
Book before the first cold night
Fall is the busiest time for chimney sweeps. Get your sweep and yearly inspection on the calendar before you light the first fire.
Where we work
Every kind of home in New York
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Brownstones and rowhouses
These homes often share party walls and have several flues stacked in one chimney, so we confirm which flue serves which fireplace or appliance before cleaning or repairing anything. Roof access, old clay liners and worn mortar joints are common issues.
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Co-ops and apartment buildings
Work here usually involves the building's management, and a boiler chimney that has gone from oil to gas often needs a new liner. We plan around elevators, common areas and building rules, and we keep dust contained inside occupied apartments.
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Townhouses and detached homes
With one owner responsible for the whole system, we look at everything from the firebox and damper up to the crown, cap and flashing. That gives you a full picture of what needs attention now and what can wait.
Service areas
Where we work
We work throughout Manhattan, including Lincoln Square, the Upper West Side, Carnegie Hill, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper East Side, Midtown, Times Square, Lenox Hill, Roosevelt Island, East Midtown, Turtle Bay and Yorkville.
FAQ
Common questions
How often should my chimney be inspected?
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A yearly inspection catches soot buildup, cracked liners and water damage before they become bigger problems.
What are the different levels of chimney inspection?
Chimney professionals use three levels. Level 1 is for systems where nothing has changed. Level 2 is for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a fuel switch, or when the home is sold. Level 3 is for when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building.
Our building is converting its boiler from oil to gas. Does the chimney need work?
In New York City, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of an oil-to-gas conversion. A new liner is often needed, because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue.
When is the best time to schedule chimney service?
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. Scheduling an inspection and cleaning before October lets you take care of any repairs before the boiler or fireplace sees heavy use.
Why does dryer vent cleaning matter?
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 run over time, especially in long or bent runs common in apartments, and cleaning removes it.
Do I really need my air ducts cleaned?
Not always. The U.S. EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we will tell you honestly whether your ducts need it.
Should I be wary of very cheap duct cleaning offers?
The EPA warns consumers to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and to be careful with chemical treatments. We explain exactly what we will do and give you a written price before we start.
Will chimney cleaning make a mess in my apartment?
We put down drop cloths, seal off the fireplace opening, and use sealed vacuums to contain soot. When we finish, we clean the work area before we leave.
Find Out What Your Chimney or Vent Needs
Book an inspection and we will show you what we find, explain your options, and give you a written price before any work begins.