What Astoria Homeowners Say About Top Hat Chimney
Reviews matter because a chimney is one of the few parts of a home you can’t easily inspect yourself. You can’t see the flue liner from the sidewalk, and by the time creosote buildup is visible from the hearth, it’s already past the point where a quick brushing solves it. That’s why we hand every customer the camera footage from their sweep and explain, in plain English, what we found. We’ve been doing that since 1999, and the reviews below reflect what happens when Wendell and his crew treat every flue in Astoria like it belongs to a neighbor. Because around here, it usually does.
Recent Reviews
“Top Hat swept our chimney two weeks before Thanksgiving and Wendell found a cracked flue tile the previous company never mentioned. He showed us the camera footage right there on his tablet, explained it wasn’t an emergency, and gave us a written estimate so we could budget for spring. No pressure, no upsell. The sweep itself took under an hour and they laid drop cloths through the whole living room.”
Michelle T.
Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria
“First time we’ve used a chimney company where the person on the phone actually knew what they were talking about. I called at 9:30 on a Sunday night expecting voicemail and Wendell picked up. He scheduled us for that week, gave me the exact price before the sweep showed up, and the number on the invoice matched. That’s rare in New York.”
Ebony B.
36th Avenue, Astoria
“We bought a prewar co-op off 30th Avenue last year and the fireplace hadn’t been used in at least a decade. The sweep pulled out what he said was first-degree creosote, a dead pigeon, and about two pounds of what he politely called ‘roof aggregate.’ He cleaned it all up, replaced the cap, and told us the liner was actually in good shape. Could have told us anything. He didn’t.”
Ernesto C.
30th Avenue, Astoria
“Our landlord used a different company last year and said we needed a full liner replacement, quote was $4,200. I called Top Hat for a second opinion. Wendell came out, ran the camera, and said the liner had mild spalling but was structurally sound for at least a few more seasons with yearly sweeps. He literally talked himself out of a job. That second opinion was free.”
Michelle T.
Astoria Heights, Astoria
“We had water getting into the firebox during hard rains and assumed it was the roof or the flashing. Top Hat found the real issue: the chimney crown was cracked in three places and the rain cap was rusted through. They rebuilt the crown, installed a new stainless cap, and the leak stopped. Wendell pointed out the problem on the video before he touched a single brick, so I knew exactly what I was paying for.”
Brandon L.
Hoyt Avenue North, Astoria
“Signed up for an annual sweep after using them twice. Both times the technician wore boot covers, laid down tarps, and called us 30 minutes before arrival like they actually meant it. After the sweep we got the camera report by text before he even packed up the truck. Fire burns cleaner now, no smoke backing into the room when we open the door. Worth every dollar.”
Ebony B.
Broadway, Astoria
Why Customers Trust Us
Wendell Pike founded Top Hat Chimney in 1999, and the reviews you just read all trace back to one habit: we show you what we see. Every sweep includes a camera inspection and a photo report before we recommend anything. If your flue just needs a brushing, we’ll say that. If the liner needs work, we’ll show you the cracks, and then quote you a price with brands we trust: DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. Every job carries the 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If it’s not right, one call brings Wendell back. You get a live person when you call, upfront pricing before a single tool comes off the truck, and no trip charge inside our service county. Call (929) 822-6306 and ask for a sweep estimate.
Written by Wendell Pike, Owner at Top Hat Chimney, serving Astoria since 1999.