The short answer
Yes, All Star Chimney Sweep works in SoHo (10012), about 3 miles from our Brooklyn office. Our certified technicians handle chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, liners, caps, waterproofing and rebuilding, plus dryer vent and air duct cleaning for lofts and pre-war buildings.
All Star Chimney Sweep serves SoHo homeowners and building owners throughout ZIP code 10012. Our office is in Brooklyn, about 3 miles south, so getting to SoHo is a short trip across the river. Much of the neighborhood is converted loft buildings, pre-war apartment buildings and older walk-ups. Their chimneys, flues and vents have often been reworked several times over the decades. We clean, inspect and repair those systems, and we clean the dryer vents and air ducts that serve the units inside them.
Chimney Work Suited to SoHo's Older Buildings
SoHo's housing is mostly older masonry. Many buildings were built for commercial use and later converted to homes. Over the years, fireplaces may have been added, sealed off or reopened, and boilers have been swapped out. Each of those changes affects the chimney. A flue that worked for one setup may not suit the next.
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Level 1 inspection fits when nothing has changed. A Level 2 inspection is called for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a fuel switch, or when the home is sold. A Level 3 inspection is used when a hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building. For a SoHo co-op or loft changing hands, the Level 2 is usually the right starting point.
- Chimney sweep and chimney inspection
- Chimney repair and chimney rebuilding
- Fireplace and damper repair
- Chimney cap and chase cover installation
- Chimney waterproofing
Liners and Oil-to-Gas Conversions
When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. A new liner is often needed. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate, and that moisture can corrode an unlined or poorly lined masonry flue from the inside.
If your building is planning a conversion, or already finished one without a close look at the flue, we can inspect the chimney. We'll tell you plainly whether a liner is needed and install one if it is.
How Manhattan Weather Wears on Chimneys
SoHo gets cold, wet winters and humid summers. Water is the main enemy of masonry. Rain and melting snow soak into brick and mortar joints. In winter that water freezes and expands, loosening mortar and spalling the face of the brick. Wind-driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in a crown or flashing.
A sound chimney cap keeps rain, debris and animals out of the flue. Waterproofing helps brick shed water while still letting it breathe. When damage has gone too far, partial or full rebuilding of the chimney above the roofline may be the practical fix. Spring and early fall are good times to schedule repairs, before the weather turns hard.
Time for your annual chimney check?
Getting Ready for 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. A blocked flue or failing liner in the middle of winter can leave a building owner scrambling. Booking chimney inspection and cleaning in late summer or early fall gives time to handle any repairs before the boiler is working every day.
Dryer Vent and Air Duct Cleaning
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. In SoHo lofts and apartments, dryer vents often run long distances or through tight chases to reach an outside wall. Those runs collect lint quickly. If your clothes take longer to dry or the laundry area feels unusually warm, the vent may need cleaning.
For air ducts, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. Cleaning makes sense when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. We'll be straightforward about whether your ducts actually need it, and we're cautious about chemical treatments.
Nearby Areas We Serve
Along with SoHo, we work in the Financial District in Manhattan. We also serve Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO and Boerum Hill, closer to our home base.
ZIP codes we serve
- 10012
