Chimney Sweeping, Inspection and Repair for Manhattan and Western Queens
We work in Lenox Hill, the Upper East Side, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, East Midtown, Turtle Bay, Roosevelt Island, and across the river in Old Astoria, Hallets Point, Ravenswood, Queensbridge and Dutch Kills.
- Diagnosis before any repair
- Written price up front
- Written price before we start
- We inspect and explain before we recommend any work.
- You get a written price before anything is touched.
- We photograph what we find and show you.
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, especially on humid days
- Smoke drifting into the room instead of going up the flue
- Black flakes or chunks of creosote falling into the firebox
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
- Crumbling mortar, loose bricks or white staining on the chimney
- Clothes taking more than one cycle to dry
Services
Chimney and duct work we do
From a routine sweep to rebuilding a chimney above the roofline, here is the work we do on chimneys, fireplaces, air ducts and dryer vents. Not sure which one you need? Start with an inspection and we will tell you what we see.
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.
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.
How 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.
Straight pricing
No bait prices. No surprises.
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Written price first
Before any work begins, you get a written price that spells out what we will do. Nothing starts until you agree to it.
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Photos of what we found
We document the condition of your chimney, ducts or vent with photos so you can see what we saw and keep a record.
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No surprise add-ons
If we find something new once the work is underway, we stop, show you, and price it in writing before going further.
About us
Chimney and Vent Work Built Around Older New York Buildings
PrimeFlue Chimney Services cleans, inspects and repairs chimneys, fireplaces, air ducts and dryer vents on Manhattan's East Side and in western Queens. Much of our work is in older masonry buildings, where flues have been relined, patched or converted over the decades, and where a problem on the roof can show up as a stain three floors down. Our certified technicians start by finding out what is actually going on. We look at the flue, the firebox, the damper, the crown and the cap, and we photograph what we find. Then we explain it in plain terms and give you a written price before anything is touched. Some jobs are a simple sweep. Others, like a new liner for an oil-to-gas boiler conversion or a cracked crown letting water into the masonry, take more planning. Either way, you will know what we are doing, why it matters and what it involves before we start.
More about how we workWhere we work
Every kind of home in New York
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Rowhouses and brownstones
These chimneys are often shared with neighbors and run through party walls, so we check every flue carefully and plan roof access with care. Many older flues were never lined, or were lined long ago and need to be evaluated.
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Co-ops and apartment buildings
Work here usually means coordinating with the board, the super or management for roof access, elevator use and scheduling. Boiler chimneys in these buildings carry heavier loads, and oil-to-gas conversions often call for a new liner.
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Detached and semi-detached homes
With a full chimney from firebox to crown, there is more exposed masonry to weather. We pay close attention to the crown, cap, flashing and waterproofing to keep water out.
Service areas
Where we work
We serve homes and buildings on Manhattan's East Side and along the East River in western Queens. If your neighborhood is not listed, ask us. We may still be able to help.
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. An annual inspection catches creosote buildup, blockages and damage before they become a fire or water problem.
What are the different levels of chimney inspection?
Chimney professionals use three levels. Level 1 is used when nothing about the system has changed. Level 2 is used when something changes, such as a new appliance or a switch in fuel, or when the home is sold. Level 3 is used when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Our building is converting its boiler from oil to gas. Does the chimney need work?
When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the job. A new liner is often needed, because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We can inspect the chimney and tell you what it needs.
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 duct over time, slowing airflow and raising heat. Long drying times are often an early sign.
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. We will look first and tell you honestly whether cleaning makes sense, and we are cautious about chemical treatments.
When is the best time to schedule chimney work?
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. Scheduling an inspection and any repairs in late spring or summer means your fireplace or boiler chimney is ready before the heat goes on, and you avoid the fall rush.
I live in a co-op. Can you work with our building?
Yes. We are used to coordinating with boards, supers and managing agents on roof access, scheduling and any paperwork the building needs before work begins.
Request service
Tell us what’s going on
Share a few details and we’ll call you to confirm the visit. Prefer to talk? (224) 681-9640
Find Out What Your Chimney Needs
Tell us what you are noticing, whether it is a smell, a stain or a fireplace that will not draw. We will inspect it, show you photos and give you a written price before any work starts.