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Serving Brooklyn and nearby cities Mon–Fri: 8 AM–8 PM · Requests accepted 24/7 · (804) 963-6010

Chimney and Duct Cleaning in Gowanus, Brooklyn

Serving Gowanus and nearby cities.

  • Diagnosis before any repair
  • Written price up front
  • Written price before we start
Call (804) 963-6010Request Service

The short answer

Yes, All Star Chimney Sweep serves Gowanus, Brooklyn (11231), and our office is in the neighborhood at 543 Henry St. We handle chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, liners, caps, waterproofing, rebuilding, and air duct and dryer vent cleaning for local homes and buildings.

All Star Chimney Sweep is based in Gowanus, with our office at 543 Henry St, so homes in the 11231 ZIP code are close to home for us. We sweep, inspect and repair chimneys, install liners, fix fireplaces and dampers, and clean air ducts and dryer vents for rowhouses, brownstones, pre-war apartment buildings and the occasional detached house. Our certified technicians know how older Brooklyn masonry holds up through cold, wet winters and humid summers, and what tends to go wrong when it doesn't. Whether you light a fireplace a few times a year or depend on a boiler flue all winter, we can help you keep it safe and working.

Chimneys in Gowanus Homes

Much of the housing in Gowanus is older masonry: brick rowhouses, brownstones, and pre-war walk-ups and apartment buildings, mixed with newer construction. Many of these buildings have several flues in one chimney stack. Some once served coal or wood fireplaces, and others now vent a gas boiler or water heater. Over decades, mortar joints wear, clay tiles crack, and fireplaces that sat unused for years can collect debris, nests or soot.

When we visit, we look at the whole system: the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue lining, crown, cap and the masonry above the roofline. If a fireplace has been closed off or a flue repurposed, we check whether it is still suitable for the appliance it serves.

Technician lowering an inspection camera into a chimney flue

Brooklyn Weather and Your Chimney

New York winters bring repeated freezing and thawing, and storms can push rain sideways into masonry. Water that soaks into brick and mortar expands when it freezes, which loosens joints, cracks crowns and causes spalling. Summer humidity can then bring out musty fireplace odors. Most chimney repairs we see start with water getting in.

Services that help keep water out include:

  • Chimney caps to keep out rain, birds and debris
  • Chase covers for framed chimneys and enclosed flues
  • Vapor-permeable waterproofing that lets masonry dry out
  • Crown repair and repointing of worn mortar joints
  • Chimney rebuilding when the brick above the roof is too far gone to patch

Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners

Many Brooklyn buildings have switched boilers from oil to gas. When a New York City building converts 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 an unlined or deteriorated masonry flue.

We inspect the flue, confirm it is sized and lined for the new appliance, and install a liner when one is needed. It is best to plan this before the city's heat season, which runs from October 1 through May 31. During those months, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures, so a boiler that can't vent safely becomes an urgent problem.

Time for your annual chimney check?

Call (804) 963-6010Request Service

Annual Chimney Inspections

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection fits when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when something changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when a home is sold. That makes it common for Gowanus buyers, sellers and anyone doing a boiler conversion. A Level 3 inspection is used only when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building. We explain what we find in plain terms and show you photos where we can.

Dryer Vents and Air Ducts

In rowhouses and apartments, dryer vents often run long distances or through tight spaces, and lint builds up quickly. 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 gets hot, the vent should be checked.

For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold, signs of vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, and it advises caution with chemical treatments. We will tell you honestly whether your ducts need cleaning.

Neighborhoods Near Gowanus We Serve

From our Gowanus office we also serve nearby Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. These neighborhoods have the same kinds of older masonry homes, so the same care applies whether your chimney sits on a brownstone or a pre-war building.

ZIP codes we serve

  • 11231

Services in Gowanus

Nearby areas

Chimney sweep cleaning a brick chimney on a rowhouse roof

Book Chimney & Duct Cleaning in Gowanus

Serving Gowanus and nearby cities.

  • Diagnosis before any repair
  • Written price up front
  • Written price before we start
Call (804) 963-6010Request Service

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. We show you what we see

    Every inspection comes with photos of the flue, crown, damper or vent, so you can see the condition for yourself instead of taking our word for it.

  2. We explain your options

    When there is more than one reasonable fix, we lay out each option, what it addresses, and what happens if you wait, so you can decide what fits your home.

  3. We respect your home

    We lay down drop cloths, use sealed equipment to contain soot and dust, and leave the work area as clean as we found it.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (804) 963-6010 and we’ll talk it through.

Do you serve all of Gowanus?

Yes. We serve homes and buildings throughout Gowanus in the 11231 ZIP code, and our office is in the neighborhood at 543 Henry St.

How often should my chimney be inspected?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year, even if you rarely use the fireplace.

We're converting our boiler from oil to gas. Do we need a new liner?

Often, yes. In New York City, the chimney has to be evaluated during an oil-to-gas conversion. Gas exhaust creates acidic condensate that can corrode masonry flues, so a new liner is frequently required.

Why is my brownstone's fireplace leaking or smelling musty?

Usually water is getting in through a missing cap, a cracked crown, or worn brick and mortar. Humid summers make the odor more noticeable. An inspection will show where the water is entering.

Do I really need my air ducts cleaned?

Not always. Following EPA guidance, we recommend cleaning when there is substantial visible mold, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. We will tell you if it isn't needed.

Which nearby neighborhoods do you cover?

Along with Gowanus, we serve Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights.

Find out what's going on in your chimney

Tell us what you're noticing, whether it's smoke, odors, leaks or a slow dryer, and we'll set up a visit. You'll get photos of what we find and a written price before any work begins.

Request Service Call (804) 963-6010
Call (804) 963-6010 Request Service