The short answer
Yes, All Star Chimney Sweep serves Two Bridges, Manhattan, about 2 miles from our Brooklyn office. We handle chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, liner installation and rebuilding, plus dryer vent and air duct cleaning for the neighborhood's older apartment buildings and rowhouses.
Two Bridges is about 2 miles north of our Brooklyn office, so it is an easy trip for our crews. The neighborhood is mostly older multi-family housing: pre-war apartment buildings, walk-ups, some rowhouses, and larger apartment blocks. Many of these buildings have boiler chimneys, shared flues, laundry exhaust and ductwork that run hard for much of the year. All Star Chimney Sweep cleans, inspects, repairs, relines and rebuilds chimneys. We also clean dryer vents and air ducts for owners, property managers and residents throughout Two Bridges.
What Chimneys Go Through in Two Bridges Buildings
In most Two Bridges buildings, the chimney's main job is venting the boiler. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, and building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures during that time. That is eight months of steady use, so problems in the flue tend to build up and then show up in the middle of winter.
Some rowhouses and older units still have working or partly working fireplaces, and these need attention too. Our certified technicians look at the whole system, from the appliance connection to the top of the stack.
- Soot and debris buildup in boiler and fireplace flues
- Cracked or missing flue tiles in older masonry chimneys
- Stuck, rusted or warped fireplace dampers
- Loose or deteriorated brick and mortar near the roofline
- Missing caps that let in rain, debris and nesting animals
Yearly Inspections and When to Go Further
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 the property 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 Two Bridges buildings, scheduling the yearly inspection before October gives you time to finish any repairs before the heat season starts.
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 work. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. Many older buildings in the area have unlined or tile-lined chimneys that were never built for gas exhaust.
We inspect the existing flue, recommend the right liner for the new appliance, and install it. If the masonry is too far gone, we can repair or rebuild the chimney.
Time for your annual chimney check?
Weather, Masonry and Water Damage
Lower Manhattan gets cold winters with repeated freeze-thaw cycles, wind-driven rain, and humid summers. Water that gets into brick and mortar freezes, expands and slowly breaks the masonry apart. Over time, that shows up as spalling brick, crumbling joints and leaks inside the building.
Our chimney cap and chase cover work keeps rain and debris out of the flue. Chimney waterproofing slows water from soaking into the brick. For damage that has gone too far, we handle chimney repair and full or partial rebuilding.
Dryer Vent and Air Duct Cleaning
Dense buildings often have long dryer vent runs, and lint collects along them. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. If drying times are getting longer or the laundry area feels unusually hot, the vent likely needs 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. It suggests researching the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and being careful with chemical treatments. We will tell you plainly whether your ducts need cleaning.
Nearby Neighborhoods We Serve
Along with Two Bridges, we work in the Financial District on the Manhattan side. Across the river, we serve Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO and Boerum Hill, all close to our home base.
