The short answer
Nexora Chimney Services sweeps, inspects, repairs, lines and rebuilds chimneys in Murray Hill, and cleans dryer vents and air ducts. We work on brownstones, rowhouses and apartment buildings in 10016 and 10168, about a mile from our Gramercy office.
Murray Hill is about a mile from our Gramercy office, so our technicians can easily reach homes and buildings in ZIP codes 10016 and 10168. The neighborhood mixes brownstones and rowhouses with pre-war and newer apartment buildings. Each type brings its own chimney and venting questions, such as an original wood-burning fireplace in a townhouse parlor, a masonry flue serving a building boiler, or a long dryer vent run in an apartment. Nexora Chimney Services handles all of these, from routine sweeping and inspections to liner installation and full chimney rebuilding.
Chimney Care for Brownstones and Rowhouses
Many Murray Hill townhouses still have masonry chimneys built for coal or wood, often with several flues sharing one stack. Over time, mortar joints erode, clay tile liners crack, and dampers rust shut. Our certified technicians sweep the flue and check the firebox, smoke chamber and damper. Then they tell you plainly what is sound and what needs attention.
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection covers a system where nothing has changed. A Level 2 inspection applies when you add or swap an appliance, change fuel, or buy or sell a home. Those are common moments in a neighborhood where townhouses change hands and get renovated. A Level 3 inspection is for hidden hazards that can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
- Chimney Sweep for wood-burning and decorative fireplaces
- Chimney Inspection at Level 1, 2 or 3, depending on your situation
- Fireplace & Damper Repair for stuck, rusted or warped dampers
- Chimney Repair and Chimney Rebuilding for deteriorated masonry
Boiler Flues and Oil-to-Gas Conversions
Pre-war apartment buildings in Murray Hill often vent a central boiler through a tall masonry chimney. 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.
We inspect the existing flue, recommend a liner sized to the new appliance, and install it so the boiler drafts properly. For building owners, timing matters. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, and during that time apartments must be kept heated to the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling chimney evaluations and liner work in late spring or summer helps keep a boiler project out of the heating months.
Weather on a Manhattan Roofline
New York winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and summers bring heavy rain and humidity. Water that soaks into brick and mortar expands when it freezes, which loosens joints and breaks off brick faces. On exposed rooftops, wind-driven rain and nor'easters push water past worn crowns and into open flues. Keeping water out is the most effective way to keep a chimney from needing major repair.
- Chimney Cap & Chase Cover to keep rain, debris and animals out
- Chimney Waterproofing with a breathable sealant on exposed masonry
- Crown and flashing repair to stop leaks where the chimney meets the roof
- Chimney Liner Installation when an old flue is cracked or the wrong size
Time for your annual chimney check?
Dryer Vents and Air Ducts in Apartments and Townhouses
Dryer vents in Manhattan apartments and townhouses often run a long way, with several turns, before reaching an outside wall or shaft. Lint builds up quickly in those runs. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. If clothes take longer to dry or the laundry area feels hot, have the vent checked.
For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we don't present it as a health fix. We inspect first, explain what we find, and use chemical treatments only when there is a clear reason. The EPA also suggests researching any company that advertises very cheap duct cleaning before you book.
Nearby Neighborhoods We Serve
Beyond Murray Hill, our crews regularly work in Kips Bay, Gramercy, Midtown South, Flatiron and Union Square. These neighborhoods have similar building types and sit close to our office. That makes scheduling straightforward whether you own a single townhouse or manage a larger building.
ZIP codes we serve
- 10016
- 10168
Services in Murray Hill
- Chimney Sweep in Murray Hill
- Chimney Inspection in Murray Hill
- Chimney Repair in Murray Hill
- Air Duct Cleaning in Murray Hill
- Chimney Liner Installation in Murray Hill
