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Chimney Sweep Service on the Upper East Side, Manhattan

Serving Upper East Side and nearby cities. Tell us about the job and we’ll call you back to confirm the details.

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The short answer

An Upper East Side chimney sweep removes creosote, soot and blockages from your flue and checks its condition. The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection, so most homeowners book a sweep and inspection together before the fall. Our office is on E 75th St, which keeps scheduling simple for nearby homes.

PrimeFlue Chimney Services sweeps chimneys across the Upper East Side from our office at 18 E 75th St. Most of the fireplaces we work on here are in brownstones, rowhouses and townhouses. Others are working fireplaces in pre-war apartment buildings, plus the larger flues that serve building boilers. A sweep removes the soot and creosote that build up every time you burn. It also clears out nests and debris and gives our certified technicians a clear view of the flue, so problems are caught while they are still small. This page explains what a sweep involves in this neighborhood and when to schedule one.

What a Chimney Sweep Includes

A sweep is more than running a brush up the flue. We set up drop cloths and run a HEPA vacuum before any brushing starts, so the soot stays in the firebox and out of your living room. Then we clean the flue with brushes sized to its shape, whether it is round, square or rectangular. We clear the smoke shelf and firebox and check the damper and crown.

When we finish, we tell you what we found in plain terms. If the flue is in good shape, you are set for the season. If we see cracked flue tiles, heavy glazed creosote or damaged mortar, we explain what it means and what your options are before any further work.

  • Removal of soot, loose creosote and debris from the full length of the flue
  • Clearing of nests, leaves and fallen material from the smoke chamber
  • Damper check for smooth opening and a tight close
  • Visual check of the firebox, smoke chamber, crown and cap
  • Notes on any condition that should be watched or repaired
Chimney Sweep at a home

Brownstones, Rowhouses and Townhouses

Many Upper East Side houses have several fireplaces stacked floor by floor. Each one usually has its own flue, and all of them run side by side through a shared chimney mass. Some older flues are lined with clay tile, some have newer metal liners, and a few have no liner at all. We check which flue serves which fireplace before we start, so the right one gets swept and inspected.

Roof access on attached houses can be tight. When we can't reach the top safely, we sweep from below with rotary tools that work their way up the flue. Interiors in these homes often have original woodwork and plaster, so we cover the hearth area and nearby floors before we begin.

Fireplaces in Pre-War Apartment Buildings

Some pre-war apartments on the Upper East Side, and in nearby Carnegie Hill and Lenox Hill, still have working fireplaces. Their flues often run through the building alongside others, and roof access is controlled by management. We can coordinate timing, elevator use and roof access with your building's super or managing agent. That way the visit follows house rules and nobody is caught off guard.

If your building is converting its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of that work. A new liner is often needed, because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We can look at the flue condition so owners know what they are dealing with before the conversion moves forward.

Time for your annual chimney check?

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When to Schedule a Sweep

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three inspection levels. Level 1 is for when nothing has changed. Level 2 applies when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. Level 3 is for when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or the building.

New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. For most households, late summer or early fall is the easiest time to book, before fireplaces and boilers are in daily use. If you are buying or selling a home on the Upper East Side, a sweep paired with a Level 2 inspection gives both sides a clear picture of the chimney.

  • Smoke drifts into the room instead of drawing up the flue
  • A strong, smoky odor, especially on humid days
  • Black flakes or crumbly deposits falling into the firebox
  • Sounds of birds or animals in the chimney
  • Fires that are hard to start or keep going

Areas We Serve Near the Upper East Side

We sweep chimneys throughout ZIP codes 10021, 10028, 10044, 10065, 10075, 10128 and 10162. We also serve the surrounding neighborhoods of Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill, Roosevelt Island and East Midtown. Because our office is in the neighborhood, we can usually work around building access windows and your own schedule.

More services in Upper East Side

Related

Chimney sweep cleaning a brick chimney on a rowhouse roof

Book Chimney Sweep in Upper East Side

Serving Upper East Side and nearby cities.

  • Diagnosis before any repair
  • Written price up front
  • Written price before we start
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What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. We look before we quote

    Every job starts with an inspection of the parts that matter, so the price you get is based on what is really there, not a guess.

  2. We show you the evidence

    We take photos of the flue, crown, damper or vent and walk you through them, so you can see the problem for yourself.

  3. We keep your home clean

    We cover floors and furniture near the work area and use containment and vacuums so soot and debris stay out of your living space.

FAQ

Common questions

How often should I have my chimney swept?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for an inspection once a year. During that visit we sweep the flue if soot or creosote has built up, which is common in fireplaces that get regular use.

Will a chimney sweep make a mess in my home?

We lay down drop cloths and run a HEPA vacuum during the sweep, so soot stays contained. We clean the work area before we leave.

My townhouse has several fireplaces. Do they all need sweeping?

Each fireplace usually has its own flue. Any fireplace you use should be swept and inspected. Unused flues should still be checked for blockages, nests and water damage.

Can you work in my apartment building?

Yes. We coordinate with your building's super or managing agent on access, elevator use and roof entry so the visit follows the building's rules.

Does my chimney need attention if my building switches from oil to gas?

Yes. In New York City the chimney has to be evaluated when a boiler converts from oil to gas. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode masonry flues.

When is the best time to book a sweep?

Late summer and early fall work well, before NYC's heat season begins on October 1 and fireplaces and boilers are in regular use.

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.

(224) 681-9640 Request Service
Call (224) 681-9640 Request Service