The short answer
Yes, All Star Chimney Sweep serves DUMBO, Brooklyn (ZIP 11201), about a mile from our office. Our certified technicians sweep, inspect, repair and reline chimneys and clean dryer vents and air ducts in lofts, apartment buildings and rowhouses.
DUMBO sits about a mile northeast of our Brooklyn office, in ZIP code 11201, so our crews work in the neighborhood often. The housing here is a mix of converted loft and warehouse buildings, pre-war apartment buildings, newer residential buildings and a smaller number of rowhouses. That means we see everything from wood-burning fireplaces in loft units to boiler chimneys serving entire buildings, along with dryer vents and ductwork in apartments and condos. Our certified technicians handle chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, relining, waterproofing, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning across DUMBO and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Chimney and Vent Services for DUMBO Homes and Buildings
You might own a loft with a working fireplace, manage a pre-war building with a boiler chimney, or rent an apartment with a stacked washer and dryer. In every case, the work starts with finding out what condition the system is in. From there we recommend only what the chimney or vent actually needs.
- Chimney sweeping to remove creosote, soot and debris from fireplace and appliance flues
- Chimney inspections at the level that fits your situation
- Chimney repair, including mortar joints, crowns and flue tiles
- Chimney liner installation for damaged flues and fuel conversions
- Chimney caps and chase covers to keep out rain, animals and debris
- Chimney waterproofing for brick and masonry
- Fireplace and damper repair
- Chimney rebuilding when masonry is beyond repair
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Air duct cleaning
How DUMBO's Waterfront Weather Wears on Chimneys
DUMBO sits right on the East River, and chimneys here take more weather than many in the borough. Wind off the water drives rain sideways into brick, mortar joints and the gaps around flashing. Nor'easters and coastal storms bring heavy rain and gusts, and humid summers keep masonry damp for long stretches.
Most of the damage builds up in winter. Water that soaks into brick and mortar freezes, expands and thaws again many times over a New York winter. Each cycle opens cracks a little wider, which lets more water in the next time. Over the years that shows up as crumbling mortar, flaking brick faces, a cracked crown, or water stains on a ceiling or wall near the chimney.
A properly sized cap keeps rain and animals out of the flue, and a sound chase cover protects framed chimneys. Breathable masonry waterproofing helps brick shed water while still letting moisture escape. When we find loose bricks or deteriorated mortar, we repair them before the damage spreads. We only recommend rebuilding when the upper section of a chimney is no longer sound.
Building Chimneys, Heat Season and Oil-to-Gas Conversions
Many DUMBO buildings rely on a central boiler that vents through a masonry chimney. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, and owners must keep apartments at the city's minimum temperatures for that whole period. A blocked or damaged flue in January is a serious problem, so late summer and early fall are the best times to have the chimney inspected and any repairs finished.
If your building is converting its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of that work. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, so a new liner is often needed. We inspect the existing flue, explain what we find, and install a liner sized for the new equipment when one is required.
Time for your annual chimney check?
Dryer Vents and Air Ducts in Lofts and Apartments
Dryers in apartments and lofts often vent through long or winding runs to reach an outside wall, and lint collects at every bend. The U.S. Fire Administration identifies failure to clean as the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires. Have the vent cleaned and checked if loads take longer to dry, the laundry area gets unusually hot, or you notice a burning smell.
For air ducts, we follow the guidance the U.S. EPA gives homeowners. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold, signs of rodents or insects, or heavy dust and debris coming from the vents. The EPA also notes that duct cleaning hasn't been shown to prevent health problems, so we won't promise that it will. We explain our process before we start, and we don't apply chemical treatments without discussing them with you first.
Annual Inspections and Nearby Neighborhoods
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection covers most homes where nothing has changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when you change appliances or fuel, or when the property is being sold. A Level 3 inspection is reserved for cases where a suspected hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Along with DUMBO, we regularly work in Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene and Carroll Gardens. If you're buying a home or unit with a chimney in any of these neighborhoods, a Level 2 inspection before closing tells you what condition the chimney is in.
ZIP codes we serve
- 11201
Services in DUMBO
- Chimney Sweep in DUMBOLocal service & repairs
- Chimney Inspection in DUMBOLocal service & repairs
- Chimney Repair in DUMBOLocal service & repairs
- Air Duct Cleaning in DUMBOLocal service & repairs
- Chimney Liner Installation in DUMBOLocal service & repairs
