About GoldenFlue Chimney Services

GoldenFlue Chimney Services cleans and inspects chimneys, dryer vents and air ducts for homes in and around Brooklyn. Our job is to keep the systems that carry heat, exhaust and air through your house working the way they should, and to explain clearly what we find so you can make your own decisions.

How we approach chimney work

We follow the NFPA 211 standard, which calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That standard uses three inspection levels, and we match the level to your situation instead of defaulting to the most involved option.

Many Brooklyn homes have older masonry chimneys, and some are switching boilers from oil to gas. When a New York City building converts 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. We look at the flue with that in mind and tell you plainly whether a liner is called for.

• Level 1 inspection when nothing about your system has changed
• Level 2 inspection when you add a new appliance, switch fuels, or sell the home
• Level 3 inspection only when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building

Dryer vents and air ducts, handled honestly

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. A lint-clogged dryer vent is one of the simplest fire risks to fix, so we treat it as a regular part of home maintenance, not an add-on.

Air duct cleaning is different, and we're upfront about that. The U.S. EPA advises cleaning ducts 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. We'll tell you whether your ducts actually meet those conditions before recommending any work, and we're careful about chemical treatments. The EPA also suggests researching the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers, and we encourage you to ask us anything about how we do the job.

What you can expect from us

Our technicians are certified, and we try to make every visit easy to follow. We explain what we're checking, show you what we find, and keep our recommendations tied to the condition of your system.

Timing matters in New York City. Heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, when building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. Scheduling chimney and flue work before the season starts helps you avoid problems once the heat needs to stay on.

• A clear explanation of what was inspected and cleaned
• Findings described in plain language, with photos when they help
• Recommendations based on what we see, not on a sales target
• Respect for your home, including protecting floors and furnishings while we work