Licensed, insured chimney sweeps and dryer vent cleaning for pre-war homes, masonry liners, and stubborn Brooklyn soot. Free estimates, no pressure, just honest answers.
Older Brooklyn homes, especially those with brick chimneys and masonry liners, have their own quirks. Creosote builds up faster in damp winters, mortar joints crack over time, and dryer vents get clogged with lint from decades of use. We specialize in the kind of thorough cleaning and inspection that generic chimney sweeps miss. Whether it’s a pre-war brownstone, a row house with a cracked liner, or a dryer vent that’s never been cleaned, we handle it right the first time. No upsells, no surprises, just a job done with the care your home deserves.
Comprehensive chimney sweep & dryer vent cleaning for Brooklyn homes and businesses.
Brooklyn’s most detailed chimney cleaning for brickwork, cast-in-place liners, and stubborn creosote buildup. We don’t just sweep, we inspect for cracks, mortar deterioration, and hidden damage.
Learn more →A full chimney inspection in Brooklyn isn’t just a formality, it’s your first line of defense against fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and costly repairs. We provide a detailed report with photos and recommendations.
Learn more →Heavy creosote buildup in Brooklyn chimneys isn’t just messy, it’s a fire hazard. We remove it completely and recommend maintenance to keep it from returning.
Learn more →A clogged dryer vent isn’t just inefficient, it’s a fire risk. We clean vents in older homes where lint buildup is often worse due to aging ductwork and longer runs.
Learn more →Cracked liners, crumbling mortar, or water-damaged brickwork? We repair and reline chimneys to restore safety and efficiency, without the hassle of a full rebuild.
Learn more →If your gas fireplace or vent smells like gas, hisses, or backdrafts, it’s not safe. We inspect and repair gas vents in Brooklyn homes to prevent CO leaks.
Learn more →We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
"We’ve lived in our Park Slope brownstone for 20 years, and our chimney had never been properly inspected, until Alderwood. They found a cracked liner and a mortar joint that was crumbling, which explained why our fireplace kept smoking. They sealed the crack on the spot and gave us a clear plan for relining. No upsell, no pressure, just good work. Now we know our chimney is safe, and we’ll be calling them every year."
"My dryer vent cleaning was a big improvement. I’d noticed my dryer taking forever to dry clothes, and I thought it was just age. Alderwood pulled out pounds of lint from the vent, it was shocking. After the cleaning, my dryer runs like new, and I’ve never had to worry about a fire hazard again. They also checked the vent connections and sealed a small gap. Worth every penny."
"I was skeptical about paying for a chimney inspection, but after seeing the photos they took of my liner’s condition, I’m glad I did. They found a spot where water was seeping in, which could’ve led to a bigger problem. They patched it and gave me tips on how to spot issues myself. No one else would’ve caught that. Now I know exactly what to look for in my Crown Heights home."
"Our chimney had never been swept properly, and we could smell gas when the fireplace was on. Alderwood came out, found a loose vent connection, and fixed it right away. They also cleaned out years of creosote buildup that I didn’t even know was there. No high-pressure sales, just honest work. We’ve been recommending them to everyone in Bushwick with an old brick chimney."
"I thought my chimney was fine because I sweep it myself, but Alderwood’s inspection showed I was missing half the flue. They removed creosote I’d never seen and pointed out a few spots where the mortar was failing. They didn’t try to sell me a reline, I just needed a good cleaning and some minor repairs. Now I know what to watch for. Their attention to detail is what sets them apart."
"Our dryer vent had never been cleaned in 15 years, and the lint buildup was insane. Alderwood didn’t just pull out the lint, they checked the entire duct run, sealed a few gaps, and even showed us how to clean the lint trap properly. Our dryer runs twice as fast now, and we’ve got peace of mind knowing there’s no fire risk. They’re the only crew in Bed-Stuy we’ll call for this."
Brooklyn’s older homes, those with brick facades, arched fireplaces, and the kind of masonry that’s stood for generations, need a chimney sweep who understands their quirks. Alderwood Chimney and Dryer Vent Inc specializes in the kind of work that keeps these homes safe and efficient, from the first sweep to the last inspection. We don’t just clear creosote or check for cracks; we look at how your chimney interacts with the rest of your house, especially in Brooklyn’s humid summers and cold winters, where moisture and temperature shifts can turn small issues into big problems. If your liner’s sagging, your bricks are spalling, or your draft feels weak, we’ll diagnose why and fix it right.
We start with a free estimate where we climb up to your chimney or dryer vent to assess the job. No sales pitch, just honest advice on what needs done. If it’s a simple sweep, we’ll tell you. If there’s damage, we’ll explain it clearly and give you options. Many Brooklyn homeowners are surprised by what we find, but we’d rather you know upfront than get stuck with a surprise bill later.
For chimneys, we use rotary brushes and flexible rods to remove creosote, then inspect the liner and brickwork for cracks or water damage. Dryer vents get a deep clean with a high-powered vacuum to pull out all lint. If we spot minor repairs, like sealing a crack or adjusting a vent, we’ll do it on the spot. Our goal is to leave your system cleaner and safer than when we arrived.
After cleaning, we provide a written report with photos of any issues we found and a safety certification for your records. This isn’t just paperwork, it’s proof that your chimney or vent meets code. If we recommend further work, we’ll outline the costs and timeline so you can decide what to do next. No vague advice, just clear next steps.
We’ll show you how to burn wood properly to reduce creosote buildup or how to clean your lint trap to extend the time between dryer vent cleanings. For chimneys, we’ll tell you when to schedule your next inspection based on how you use your fireplace. Brooklyn homes with older brickwork often need more frequent checks, and we’ll let you know why. Our job isn’t done until you’re confident your system is safe.
Brooklyn’s older brick chimneys hide problems behind soot-stained fireplaces. Cracks in the liner, deteriorating mortar, or a blocked flue can’t be seen from the bottom, and they’re often the cause of fires or carbon monoxide leaks. We use cameras and inspections to find what you can’t see, so you’re not left guessing whether your chimney is safe. Many homeowners wait until they smell gas or see smoke in the room before acting. Don’t wait for a warning sign.
Some crews in Brooklyn rush through a sweep with a basic brush, leaving creosote behind. Others don’t check for structural issues or proper clearances. We treat every chimney like it’s part of your home, not just a flue. That means inspecting for water damage, testing for gas leaks, and ensuring your fireplace meets safety codes. If your last sweep didn’t include a full inspection, you might be paying for a half-job.
Lint builds up slowly in dryer vents, especially in older Brooklyn homes with longer duct runs. By the time you notice slower drying or a burning smell, it’s often too late, fires start when lint ignites. We recommend cleaning vents every 1-2 years, even if they seem fine. A quick inspection can catch hidden blockages before they become a hazard. Most homeowners don’t realize how much lint accumulates until we pull it out, and it’s usually more than they expected.
Brooklyn’s humid summers and freezing winters both take a toll on chimneys. Summer storms can crack mortar, and winter soot buildup hides damage until it’s too late. We advise inspecting your chimney at least twice a year, once before fire season starts and once after winter, to catch issues early. If you only sweep in December, you might miss problems that develop when your fireplace isn’t in use. Prevention is cheaper than repairs.
Expert local advice for Brooklyn homeowners.
Brooklyn’s older brick homes need specialized chimney care. Learn how to spot masonry damage, creosote buildup, and when to call a certified chimney sweep in Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Park Slope, and more.
Read more →Older Brooklyn homes with brick chimneys need more than a sweep, here’s when to reline, how to spot damage, and why masonry matters in our humid climate.
Read more →Brooklyn’s older brick homes hide hidden chimney risks. Learn costs, warning signs, and how to keep your fireplace safe, before a fire starts.
Read more →Proudly serving Brooklyn and these nearby communities.
Not always. In older Brooklyn homes, smoking can mean your damper isn’t sealing properly, your liner’s collapsed, or the flue’s too small for the firebox. If your house is a pre-war brick row house, the original chimney might have been built for coal, not modern wood or gas, and the flue could be too narrow. We check the entire system, from the firebox to the crown, to pinpoint whether it’s a draft problem, a blockage, or a structural issue that needs a reline or repair.
Creosote isn’t always visible as a thick, tarry layer. In Brooklyn’s humid climate, it can form as a sticky, glossy coating or even as a dry, powdery residue that clings to the liner. If your chimney’s draft weakens suddenly or you smell a strong, acrid odor when lighting the fire, that’s a red flag. We use specialized tools to detect hidden buildup, especially in older masonry chimneys where soot can hide in cracks or behind deteriorated liners.
Crumbling bricks at the crown or chase cover aren’t just ‘weathering’, they’re a sign of water damage, which in Brooklyn’s freeze-thaw cycles can crack masonry and let moisture seep into your home. If the bricks are spalling (flaking off in layers) or the mortar is crumbling, your chimney needs repointing or a new crown. We repair with matching materials so the fix blends with your home’s original architecture, not just slap on a quick patch.
Even if you’re not using your fireplace, Brooklyn’s damp summers and cold winters create conditions where moisture and soot can still build up inside your chimney. A dormant chimney can develop condensation that turns into acidic sludge, corroding liners and masonry over time. We recommend at least one inspection per year for unused chimneys, especially in older homes where the original clay flues are still in place.
Not if your dryer’s running hot but clothes stay damp. In Brooklyn’s older homes, dryer vents often get pinched or kinked behind walls, especially in tight spaces like basement laundry rooms. We check for hidden blockages, crushed ducts, or even pests nesting in the vent, all of which can restrict airflow and force your dryer to work harder. A proper cleaning includes inspecting the entire vent path, not just the accessible part.
That’s likely calcium carbonate, a byproduct of acidic gases reacting with your chimney’s masonry. In Brooklyn’s older brick homes, this can indicate a failing liner or excessive moisture seeping through cracks. While it’s not immediately dangerous, it’s a sign your chimney needs an inspection. We’ll check for hidden corrosion or structural damage before it leads to a full reline.
A sagging liner is never normal. In older homes, this often happens when the original masonry support weakens or the liner wasn’t properly anchored during installation. If it’s a metal liner, it might be rusting from condensation. We’ll assess whether it can be repaired or if you need a new stainless-steel liner that matches your chimney’s dimensions. Ignoring it can lead to cracks in the masonry or even a chimney fire.
That’s usually creosote fumes or trapped smoke from incomplete combustion. In older homes, it can also mean your chimney’s not venting properly due to a blocked flue, a damaged liner, or even a cracked crown letting smoke seep back into the house. We’ll inspect your chimney’s entire path, including the firebox and damper, to find the source and ensure it’s fully cleared before your next fire.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.