The short answer
Yes, Apex Premier Chimney Services works throughout Midtown South, Manhattan (ZIP 10119), about a mile from our office. Our certified technicians handle chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, liners, rebuilding, dryer vents and air ducts for apartments, lofts and rowhouses.
Midtown South is about a mile north of our Manhattan office, so reaching your building is a short trip for our crew. The neighborhood is a dense mix of pre-war apartment buildings, converted loft buildings and some older rowhouses. Many of their chimneys and vents have served several generations of heating equipment. Apex Premier Chimney Services provides chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, liners, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning for homeowners, co-op and condo residents, and small building owners in ZIP code 10119 and the surrounding area.
What we find in Midtown South buildings
Older masonry is the norm here. Many apartment and loft buildings went up when coal or oil heat was standard. Since then, their flues have vented different boilers, water heaters or fireplaces. Rowhouse-style homes may still have working wood-burning or gas fireplaces, while larger buildings often share a central chimney that serves the boiler.
Common problems include cracked or missing flue tiles and worn mortar joints near the top of the stack. We also find rusted or stuck dampers, missing caps that let in rain and birds, and dryer vents that run a long way before they reach open air.
Why Manhattan weather is hard on chimneys
New York winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Water soaks into brick and mortar, expands when it freezes, and over several seasons opens cracks, loosens the crown and pushes bricks out of place. Wind-driven rain from coastal storms hits exposed rooftop stacks. Humid summers can leave fireplaces smelling damp and musty.
Keeping water out is the most practical way to protect masonry. A properly sized cap, a sound crown or chase cover, and a breathable waterproofing treatment on the brick all reduce the moisture behind most chimney repairs. When damage has gone too far, we repair or rebuild the affected section instead of covering it up.
Inspections, heat season and oil-to-gas conversions
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. There are three inspection levels:
Level 1 fits when nothing about the system has changed. Level 2 applies 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 can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During those months, building owners must keep apartments at the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling inspection and cleaning before October helps keep the boiler flue working when heat is required.
If your building is converting 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.
Dryer vents and air ducts in apartments and lofts
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. In-unit dryers in Midtown South often vent through long runs with several turns, and these collect lint faster than a short, straight duct. Signs you need a cleaning include clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry area, or a burning smell.
For air ducts, we follow EPA 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, so we inspect first and tell you plainly whether cleaning is worth doing. We are careful with chemical treatments and explain any we recommend before using them. The EPA also suggests researching the process before you respond to very cheap advertised offers.
Services available in Midtown South
Every service below is available in ZIP code 10119. We also work in nearby Gramercy, Greenwich Village, West Village, East Village and SoHo.
- Chimney Sweep: removal of soot, creosote and debris from the flue and firebox
- Chimney Inspection: Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections following NFPA 211
- Chimney Repair: tuckpointing, crown repair and masonry fixes
- Chimney Liner Installation: new liners for oil-to-gas conversions and damaged flues
- Chimney Cap & Chase Cover: keeps out rain, animals and debris
- Chimney Waterproofing: breathable treatments that slow freeze-thaw damage
- Fireplace & Damper Repair: dampers that seal and open properly
- Chimney Rebuilding: rebuilding stacks that are too deteriorated to patch
- Dryer Vent Cleaning: clearing lint from long apartment vent runs
- Air Duct Cleaning: an inspection first, then cleaning when the conditions call for it
ZIP codes we serve
- 10119