The short answer
A chimney sweep removes creosote, soot and debris from your fireplace and flue and checks the system for damage or blockages. The NFPA 211 standard calls for an inspection once a year. For East Village homes, it makes sense to book before New York City's heat season starts on October 1.
Many East Village homes and buildings have fireplaces and flues that have been in use, closed off, or reopened several times over the decades. Some rowhouse and brownstone owners burn wood every winter. Some apartment residents inherited a fireplace no one has touched in years. Many larger buildings rely on a boiler flue that runs the full height of the structure. Nexora Chimney Services sends certified technicians from our Gramercy office, about a mile north, to sweep and inspect chimneys throughout the 10003 and 10009 ZIP codes. We tell you plainly what we find and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
What a Chimney Sweep Visit Includes
A sweep is more than running a brush up the flue. Our technicians clean the system and look at it closely while they work. We protect the floor and furniture around the hearth and use sealed vacuum equipment to keep soot inside the chimney. We also check the parts of the system you can't easily see yourself.
When we finish, we walk you through the condition of your chimney. If there is a problem, we explain what it is and why it matters. If everything looks sound, we tell you that too.
- Brushing the flue to remove creosote, soot and loose debris
- Cleaning the firebox, smoke shelf and smoke chamber
- Checking that the damper opens, closes and seals properly
- Looking for nests, fallen masonry or other blockages
- Inspecting the crown, cap and visible masonry from the roof when access allows
- A clear explanation of what we found, in plain language
Chimneys in Older East Village Buildings
Much of the East Village housing is older: rowhouses, brownstones, walk-up apartment buildings and pre-war buildings. Their chimneys often reflect that age. Common conditions include unlined or partially lined masonry flues, mortar joints worn down by decades of weather, and flues that bend or offset on the way to the roof. Several fireplaces may also share one chimney stack. A fireplace that was sealed years ago may have a damaged damper or debris piled behind the closure.
Larger buildings bring their own concerns. When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, 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 has converted or plans to, we can check what condition the flue is in.
When to Schedule a Sweep
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A routine Level 1 inspection fits when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is appropriate when you add a new appliance, switch fuels, or buy or sell a home. A Level 3 inspection is reserved for hidden hazards that can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Timing matters in Manhattan. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. Boilers run hard and fireplaces get used during those months. Booking in late summer or early fall gives you time to handle any repairs before cold weather arrives.
Time for your annual chimney check?
Signs Your Chimney Needs Attention
Even between yearly visits, some warning signs mean you should call for a sweep or inspection before your next fire.
- A strong smoky or campfire odor, especially on humid days
- Smoke drifting into the room instead of drawing up the flue
- Black, flaky or tar-like buildup inside the firebox or on the damper
- Bits of brick, mortar or tile falling into the fireplace
- Animal sounds or nesting material near the hearth
- You've moved into a home with a fireplace whose history you don't know
Preparing for Your Appointment
In apartment buildings and co-ops, roof access usually goes through the super or management office. Let them know about the visit ahead of time. Please avoid using the fireplace for at least a day beforehand so the ashes are cool. Clear the mantel and the area in front of the hearth before we arrive.
Besides the East Village, we sweep chimneys in nearby Stuyvesant Town, Peter Cooper Village, the Lower East Side, Gramercy and Greenwich Village.
More services in East Village
- Chimney Inspection in East Village
- Chimney Repair in East Village
- Air Duct Cleaning in East Village
- Chimney Liner Installation in East Village
