The short answer
PrimeFlue provides chimney inspections and sweeping, liner evaluations for oil-to-gas conversions, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning throughout Brooklyn, including Greenpoint. Chimneys should be inspected once a year, and dryer vents should be cleaned regularly to reduce fire risk.
PrimeFlue Chimney Services cleans and inspects chimneys, dryer vents and air ducts for homeowners across Brooklyn, including Greenpoint. Many Brooklyn homes are older rowhouses and multi-family buildings where a fireplace flue, a boiler flue and a dryer vent all need attention. Our certified technicians work on each of these systems, explain what they find in plain terms, and recommend only the work your home actually needs.
Chimney Inspection and Sweeping
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That applies whether you burn wood a few nights each winter or rely on a gas boiler every day. During a visit, we check the flue, the firebox or appliance connection, and the visible masonry. Then we sweep away soot and creosote wherever it has built up.
Chimney professionals use three inspection levels:
- Level 1: the standard yearly check when nothing about the system has changed.
- Level 2: needed when you add a new appliance, switch fuels, or buy or sell the home.
- Level 3: used when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, so a new liner is often needed. If you are planning a conversion in Greenpoint or elsewhere in Brooklyn, we can inspect the flue early. That way, the liner question is settled before the new boiler goes in.
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 between the dryer and the outside wall. In rowhouses and apartments, that duct can be long and have several turns. We clear the full length of the vent, check the exterior hood, and point out any crushed or plastic ducting that should be replaced. Common signs your vent needs cleaning include:
- Clothes need more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry area feels unusually hot
- Little or no airflow at the outside vent flap
- A burning smell while the dryer runs
Time for your annual chimney check?
Air Duct Cleaning, When It Makes Sense
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 inspect first and tell you honestly whether cleaning is warranted. The EPA also recommends researching the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and being careful with chemical treatments. We discuss any treatment with you before using it and never apply one by default.
Planning Around Heat Season
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During that time, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. For owners of multi-family buildings, that makes late spring and summer the practical window for chimney and boiler flue work. A problem found in January can leave a building cold while repairs are arranged. Homeowners with fireplaces benefit from the same timing: an inspection before fall leaves room to handle any repairs before the first fire.
