The short answer
Nexora Chimney Services repairs chimneys in Kips Bay brownstones, rowhouses and pre-war buildings, including masonry, crowns, caps, flashing, dampers and flue liners. Every repair starts with an inspection so we fix the actual cause. Oil-to-gas conversions often need a new liner.
Kips Bay chimneys work hard. A brownstone fireplace flue, a rowhouse chimney shared with a neighbor, or a tall masonry stack venting a pre-war building's boiler all deal with the same pressures: freeze-thaw cycles, acidic exhaust, and decades of wear on brick and mortar. Nexora Chimney Services repairs chimneys across Kips Bay in ZIP codes 10016 and 10168, about a mile northeast of our Gramercy office. Our certified technicians find out what is actually failing, explain it in plain terms, and fix the problem without selling you work you don't need.
Chimney Problems We See in Kips Bay Homes
Most of the chimneys in Kips Bay are masonry, and many have been in service for generations. Brick and mortar hold up well, but water is their main enemy. Rain and snow soak into worn joints, freeze, and push the masonry apart a little more every winter. On a rooftop chimney exposed to wind off the East River, that damage can build faster than owners expect.
Inside the flue, the problems are different. Older clay tile liners crack or lose their mortar joints. Boiler and furnace exhaust can eat away at the masonry. Dampers rust shut or stop sealing, and smoke chambers in older fireplaces are often rough and crumbling.
- Repointing loose or eroded mortar joints
- Rebuilding damaged chimney crowns and replacing missing or rusted caps
- Repairing or replacing flashing where the chimney meets the roof
- Replacing broken dampers or installing top-sealing dampers
- Repairing cracked flue tiles or installing a new stainless steel liner
- Parging and repairing fireplace smoke chambers
Inspection Comes Before Repair
A leak by the fireplace or a stain on a ceiling doesn't always come from where it seems to. Before we recommend a repair, we inspect the chimney. The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year, and chimney professionals use three levels of inspection depending on the situation.
A Level 1 inspection fits a system that hasn't changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when something changes, such as a new appliance or a switch in fuel, or when the home is sold. That level includes a camera look inside the flue. A Level 3 inspection is needed only when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building. We tell you which level your situation calls for and why, and we show you photos or video of what we find.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Flue Liners
Many Kips Bay buildings that once burned heating oil have switched, or are planning to switch, to natural gas. 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 from the inside.
If your building is planning a conversion, involve us early. We can assess the existing flue, check whether it is sized correctly for the new equipment, and install a properly sized liner so the conversion isn't held up by the chimney.
Time for your annual chimney check?
Planning Repairs Around 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. A chimney problem that takes the boiler offline in January is a serious matter for owners and tenants alike.
Late spring and summer are the best times for major chimney repairs, relining and rebuilding work. Masonry also cures better in mild weather. If an inspection turns up a problem in the fall, we will tell you honestly whether it needs attention right away or can safely wait for the off-season.
What to Expect From a Repair Visit
Rooftop access, shared walls and tight interior spaces are part of working in Manhattan, and we plan for them. Here is how a typical repair job goes:
- We confirm access to the roof, fireplace or boiler room before arriving
- We protect floors and furnishings and keep dust contained
- We inspect and document the condition of the chimney
- You get a clear explanation of what needs repair and what doesn't
- We complete the work and show you the results
Serving Kips Bay and Nearby Neighborhoods
Because Kips Bay is so close to our Gramercy office, we can usually get to you quickly. We also repair chimneys in Murray Hill, Gramercy, Midtown South, Flatiron and Union Square.
More services in Kips Bay
- Chimney Sweep in Kips Bay
- Chimney Inspection in Kips Bay
- Air Duct Cleaning in Kips Bay
- Chimney Liner Installation in Kips Bay
