Chimney Sweeping, Inspection and Repair for New York City Homes
Based in New York, we serve SoHo, Tribeca, the Villages and the Financial District, and also work in nearby Brooklyn, Jersey City and Hoboken.
- We inspect and photograph the system before recommending any work.
- You get a written price before any work begins.
- We protect floors and furnishings and clean up before we leave.
Services
Chimney and duct work we do
From a routine sweep to a full rebuild, we handle the whole venting system in your home: the chimney and fireplace, the liner and cap, and the dryer vents and air ducts that move air through your building. Every job starts with a look at what is actually there.
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Chimney Sweep
A chimney sweep cleans soot, creosote and blockages from your firebox, smoke chamber and flue, then inspects the system for damage. The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to… -
Chimney Inspection
A chimney inspection checks your fireplace, flue, and chimney exterior for damage, blockages, and buildup that can cause fires or let exhaust into your home. The NFPA 211 standard calls for an… -
Chimney Repair
Chimney repair fixes the parts that keep water out and move exhaust safely: mortar, bricks, crown, cap, flashing, damper and flue liner. If you notice water in the firebox, white staining, brick… -
Air Duct Cleaning
Air duct cleaning makes sense when you can see heavy dust or debris in your vents, after renovation work, or when pests or nesting material have gotten into the ductwork. EmberGuard inspects… -
Chimney Liner Installation
You likely need a new chimney liner if your flue tiles are cracked or missing, you see white staining or brick flakes, or you are converting a boiler from oil to gas.… -
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning removes the lint that builds up inside the duct between your dryer and the outside, from the dryer connection to the exterior hood or roof cap. According to the…
Warning signs
Call us if you notice any of these
Most problems give a warning first. Catching them early keeps a small fix from turning into a big one.
- A smoky or campfire smell in the room when it's humid
- Smoke drifts into the room instead of up the flue
- Black flakes or debris falling into the firebox
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
- Crumbling mortar or loose bricks on the chimney top
- Clothes taking more than one dryer cycle to dry
About us
Chimney and Vent Work Built Around City Buildings
EmberGuard Chimney Sweep works on chimneys, fireplaces, dryer vents and air ducts across Lower Manhattan, from Greenwich Village brownstones to East Village walk-ups and Financial District apartment buildings. Our certified technicians start every job by looking before they quote: they inspect the flue, check the cap, crown and damper, and photograph what they find so you can see it yourself. Then you get a written price for the work that is actually needed. City jobs come with their own logistics: narrow stairwells, roof access arranged through a super or managing agent, shared walls, and neighbors close by. We plan for that, lay drop cloths over floors and furniture, and use HEPA vacuums to keep soot and dust out of your living space. Whether you need a routine sweep before heat season, a new liner after an oil-to-gas boiler conversion, or a dryer vent that has not been cleaned in years, we explain what we see in plain terms and leave the decisions to you.
More about how we workStraight pricing
No bait prices. No surprises.
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Written price first
Before any work starts, you get a written price for exactly what we plan to do. Nothing begins until you approve it.
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Photos of what we found
We photograph the flue, crown, cap, vents or ducts during the inspection. You see the same condition we see.
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No surprise add-ons
If we find something new mid-job, we stop, show you, and price it in writing. You decide whether it gets done.
How it works
Clear steps. Your approval first.
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Book a visit
Call or send a short request: the fireplace, stove, boiler flue or vents you need looked at, and what you have noticed.
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We inspect first
The crew lays down drop cloths, checks the system top to bottom and runs a camera up the flue where it is needed.
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Written price, your call
You see photos of what we found and get the price in writing. Work starts only after you say yes.
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Clean, fix, report
We sweep, repair or reline, vacuum up with HEPA filters and leave you a photo report of the finished work.
Inspections
Three levels of chimney inspection
The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection. Which level you need depends on what has changed since the last one.
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Level 1
Annual check
For a chimney and appliance that have not changed and will be used the same way: the readily accessible parts of the chimney, the flue and the connection, checked for soundness, blockages and deposits.
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Level 2
Camera inspection
When something changed — a new stove, insert or boiler, a fuel switch such as oil to gas, the sale of the home, or a chimney fire, storm or quake. Adds a video scan of the whole flue and the accessible attic, roof and crawl spaces.
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Level 3
Concealed areas
Only when a Level 1 or 2 points to a hidden hazard that cannot be checked any other way: parts of the chimney or building are opened to reach it.
Book before the first cold night
Fall is the busiest time for chimney sweeps. Get your sweep and yearly inspection on the calendar before you light the first fire.
Where we work
Every kind of home in New York
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Brownstones and rowhouses
These homes often have several fireplaces sharing one chimney stack, with old masonry flues that may lack a liner. Reaching the roof and working around shared party walls takes planning.
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Co-ops and apartment buildings
Work usually has to be scheduled with the board, super or managing agent, and boiler chimneys serve the whole building. When a building converts from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated and often needs a new liner.
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Lofts and converted buildings
Converted commercial spaces often have long dryer vent and duct runs added after the fact. We trace each run to its exterior termination to make sure it is clear and properly vented.
Service areas
Where we work
We work throughout Lower Manhattan, including SoHo, Little Italy, Hudson Square, Tribeca, Civic Center, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, West Village, Two Bridges, the Lower East Side, the East Village and the Financial District.
- SoHoLocal service & repairs
- Little ItalyLocal service & repairs
- Hudson SquareLocal service & repairs
- TribecaLocal service & repairs
- Civic CenterLocal service & repairs
- Greenwich VillageLocal service & repairs
- ChinatownLocal service & repairs
- West VillageLocal service & repairs
- Two BridgesLocal service & repairs
- Lower East SideLocal service & repairs
- East VillageLocal service & repairs
- Financial DistrictLocal service & repairs
How often should my chimney be inspected?
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. An annual inspection also tells you whether the flue needs sweeping.
What is the difference between inspection levels?
A Level 1 inspection is for systems where nothing has changed. Level 2 is called for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. Level 3 is used when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
When is the best time to schedule chimney service?
Before New York City's heat season starts on October 1 is ideal, so any repairs are finished before you need the fireplace or heating system. Heat season runs through May 31.
Our building is converting from oil to gas. Does the chimney need work?
The chimney has to be evaluated as part of the conversion. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue.
Why does dryer vent cleaning matter?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint builds up in the vent run as well as the trap, especially in long runs common in city buildings.
Do I need my air ducts cleaned?
The U.S. EPA advises duct cleaning 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, so we inspect first and tell you honestly whether cleaning makes sense. The EPA also urges caution with chemical treatments and with very cheap advertised offers.
Can you work in my co-op or apartment building?
Yes. We coordinate with your super or managing agent for roof access and scheduling, and we follow the building's rules for contractors working inside.
Schedule a Chimney or Vent Inspection
Tell us what you're noticing and what kind of building you live in. We'll set up a visit, inspect the system, show you photos, and give you a written price before any work begins.