The short answer
EverFlame Chimney Care provides chimney inspection and cleaning, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning throughout western Queens, including Long Island City, Astoria-area neighborhoods and Hunters Point. Chimneys should be inspected once a year, and dryer vents and ducts should be cleaned when buildup or other problems appear.
EverFlame Chimney Care cleans and inspects chimneys, dryer vents and air ducts for homes and buildings in Queens. Our work is concentrated in the western part of the borough, including Long Island City, Hunters Point, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Dutch Kills, Old Astoria and Hallets Point. You might live in a row house with a working fireplace, a multifamily building with an older boiler flue, or an apartment with a stacked dryer. Either way, our certified technicians focus on keeping vents clear so heat, exhaust and air move where they should.
Chimney Inspection and Cleaning
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That applies to wood-burning fireplaces and to the flues that carry exhaust from boilers and furnaces. During a visit we look for soot and creosote buildup, blockages such as nests or debris, and damage to the flue or masonry, then clean what needs cleaning.
Chimney professionals use three inspection levels, and the right one depends on your situation:
- Level 1: a routine yearly check when nothing about the system has changed
- Level 2: when you add a new appliance, switch fuels, or buy or sell the home
- Level 3: when 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 Queens buildings have moved their boilers from oil to gas. When a New York City building converts, 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. If your building is planning a conversion, we can inspect the chimney and explain what we find.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint collects in the duct behind the dryer and along the run to the outside. Long or bent runs, which are common in apartments and converted buildings, collect it faster.
Signs your dryer vent may need attention:
- Clothes take more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry area feels unusually hot
- You notice a burning smell while the dryer runs
- Little or no air comes out of the exterior vent hood
Air Duct Cleaning
We follow the U.S. EPA's guidance on when duct cleaning makes sense. The 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. It cautions consumers to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers, and to be careful with chemical treatments. We will tell you plainly whether your ducts need cleaning.
Planning Around the Heat Season
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During those months building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling chimney and flue inspections before October gives you time to handle any repairs before the heating system has to run steadily. Late summer and early fall are good times to book.