The short answer
All Star Chimney Sweep provides chimney inspections and cleaning, chimney liners for oil-to-gas conversions, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning throughout lower Manhattan. Chimneys and vents should be inspected once a year. Dryer vents should be cleaned regularly, and air ducts only when there is a clear reason.
All Star Chimney Sweep cleans and inspects chimneys, flues, dryer vents and air ducts for homes and buildings across lower Manhattan, from the Financial District and Battery Park City to the East Village. Our certified technicians work in townhouses, walk-ups, lofts and mixed-use buildings, where flues often run through several floors and dryer vents have to fit through tight spaces. Here is what we do and when it makes sense to call.
Chimney Inspections and Cleaning
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That applies whether you burn wood in a SoHo loft fireplace or vent a gas boiler through an older masonry chimney in a Lower East Side walk-up.
There are three levels of inspection. A Level 1 inspection covers a system that hasn't changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when something changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the property is sold. A Level 3 inspection is for hidden hazards that can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building. We'll tell you which level fits your situation and why.
Cleaning removes the soot and creosote that build up in the flue. It also clears debris such as nests or fallen masonry that can block exhaust.

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 job. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We inspect the existing flue and explain what we find. If the chimney needs a liner, we install one.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. In Manhattan apartments and townhouses, dryer vents often run long distances or bend through walls and ceilings, so lint can build up quickly. Watch for these signs:
- Clothes need more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry area feels unusually hot
- You smell something burning while the dryer runs
- Little or no air comes out of the exterior vent hood
Time for your annual chimney check?
Air Duct Cleaning, Done Honestly
The U.S. EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It also says duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. It warns consumers to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and to be careful with chemical treatments. We look first, show you what's inside, and recommend cleaning only when the ducts actually need it.
Plan Around Heat Season
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During those months, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling chimney and flue work in late summer or early fall helps make sure your boiler or furnace is ready when tenants depend on it.
Manhattan Neighborhoods We Serve
We work in homes and buildings across lower Manhattan, including:
- Financial District
- Battery Park City
- Chinatown
- Two Bridges
- Tribeca
- Civic Center
- Lower East Side
- SoHo
- Little Italy
- Hudson Square
- East Village
Communities we serve here
- Financial DistrictLocal service & repairs
- Battery Park CityLocal service & repairs
- ChinatownLocal service & repairs
- Two BridgesLocal service & repairs
- TribecaLocal service & repairs
- Civic CenterLocal service & repairs
- Lower East SideLocal service & repairs
- SoHoLocal service & repairs
- Little ItalyLocal service & repairs
- Hudson SquareLocal service & repairs
- East VillageLocal service & repairs

