The short answer
GoldenFlue cleans and inspects chimneys, dryer vents and air ducts in neighborhoods across Staten Island's North and East Shore. Have your chimney inspected once a year, and book before New York City's heat season begins on October 1.
GoldenFlue Chimney Services cleans and inspects chimneys, dryer vents and air ducts for homeowners throughout Staten Island, from St. George and Tompkinsville on the North Shore to South Beach, Arrochar and Dongan Hills along the East Shore. Our certified technicians work in older masonry houses, attached homes and small multi-family buildings. We explain what we find in plain terms before any work goes beyond a cleaning.
Chimney Cleaning and Annual Inspections
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. That applies whether you burn wood on winter weekends or only use the flue to vent a furnace or boiler. We sweep soot and creosote, check the liner, damper, crown and cap, and look for blockages such as nests or fallen debris.
Inspections come in three levels. The one you need depends on what has changed:
- Level 1: for a chimney in regular use when nothing about the system has changed.
- Level 2: when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold.
- Level 3: when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
Older houses in neighborhoods like Grymes Hill, Silver Lake and West New Brighton may have chimneys that were built for oil heat. 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. We can inspect your chimney before or during a conversion, so the liner question is answered early instead of holding up the job.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint collects inside the duct, not just in the lint trap, and long or crushed vent runs make the buildup worse. Watch for these signs:
- Clothes take more than one cycle to dry.
- The dryer or laundry room gets unusually hot.
- You notice a burning smell while the dryer runs.
- The outside vent flap barely opens when the dryer is on.
Air Duct Cleaning: When It Makes Sense
We don't treat duct cleaning as routine maintenance for every home. The U.S. EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. It notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems. The EPA also warns consumers to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers, and to be careful with chemical treatments. If we look at your ducts and don't see those conditions, we'll tell you.
Timing Your Service Around Heat Season
New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During that time, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures. If you own a two-family or multi-family house in Stapleton, Clifton, Park Hill or Rosebank, a flue problem in mid-winter can leave tenants without heat. An inspection in late summer or early fall leaves time for repairs before the season starts.
We serve Rosebank, Shore Acres, Park Hill, Tompkinsville, Stapleton, Clifton, Fox Hills, St. George, New Brighton, Grasmere, Arrochar, South Beach, Dongan Hills, West New Brighton, Silver Lake and Grymes Hill.