Most chimney service is scheduled maintenance — annual cleaning, inspection before the heating season, repairs identified during an inspection. But some chimney situations require immediate attention. This page describes the situations that cannot wait and what to do in each one.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm — Evacuate First, Call Second
If your CO detector has alarmed: get everyone out of the house immediately, call 911 from outside, and do not re-enter until emergency services have cleared the building. After emergency services have addressed the situation, call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471. Do not restart any heating appliance until the chimney and flue have been inspected. Carbon monoxide from a blocked or damaged chimney is odorless and can be fatal. This is not a situation to investigate yourself.
No Heat — Furnace or Boiler Won't Run
Modern gas and oil heating appliances have safety shutoffs that trigger when the flue is blocked or venting is compromised. If your furnace or boiler is shutting down or won't start, and your utility company has confirmed the gas supply is intact, a chimney blockage is a common cause. Do not repeatedly attempt to restart the appliance — the safety shutoff is doing its job. Call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471 for same-day or next-day emergency chimney service throughout Nassau County.
Smoke Backing Into the House
Smoke entering the living space when the fireplace is in use — or smoke smell in the house when nothing is burning — means combustion gases are not venting correctly. Stop using the fireplace or heating appliance immediately. The most common causes are a chimney blockage, a failed or stuck damper, or negative air pressure in the home. Call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471 for diagnosis. Do not use the appliance again until the cause has been identified and corrected.
Puffback
A puffback occurs when an oil burner ignites accumulated oil vapor in the combustion chamber, creating a small explosion that blows soot and oil throughout the heating system and often into the house. If you've experienced a puffback, you'll know it — black soot covering surfaces near vents and registers, strong oil smell, and a loud bang or rumble from the mechanical room. Call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471. The flue and appliance need to be inspected and cleaned before the system is restarted.
Storm Damage
After a significant storm — high winds, heavy snow, a nor'easter — inspect your chimney from the ground before using it. A missing cap, a shifted chimney crown, or debris in the flue can create a blockage or CO risk. If you see visible damage or you're unsure, call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471 before lighting the fireplace or running the heating system.
What Happens When You Call
When you call DME Maintenance for a chimney emergency in Nassau County, you reach us directly — not a call center, not a scheduler, not an answering service. We prioritize emergency calls and schedule same-day or next-day service throughout Nassau County. We carry the equipment to diagnose and resolve most chimney emergencies in a single visit. Call 516-690-7471.
Call 516-690-7471 for Emergency Service
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