When caring for your fireplace and chimney, who you hire matters. Instead of trusting a door to door salesman with a truck or going with the first result in a Google search, trust a professional chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. A CSIA certified chimney sweep is a highly trained and knowledgeable professional who can care for your entire fireplace system from firebox to flue.

What is a CSIA certification?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving both public and professional fireplace education. Widely considered as the most prestigious professional group in the fireplace industry, a CSIA certification is prestigious – and difficult to earn – title held by only 1200 chimney sweeps in the United States.
For a chimney sweep to earn a CSIA certification they must undergo a rigorous training and testing curriculum. This standardized process ensures that all certified sweeps have knowledge base that covers a variety of topics including:

  • Current local and national building codes
  • Current best practices and techniques for sweeping chimneys
  • Chimney construction and draft dynamics
  • Installation techniques for various heating appliances
  • EPA emission standards for fuel burning appliances

A certification from the CSIA is not a lifetime title; instead, chimney sweeps must take continuing education courses and pass a recertification test every three years. This recertification process ensures that sweeps holding a CSIA certification are up to date on the latest advancements, standards, and safety practices in the industry.

What sets certified chimney sweeps apart?

A certified chimney sweep is different from someone going door to door with some brushes and tarps. The following are just a few of the things that set CSIA certified chimney sweeps apart from the competition.

  • Code of Ethics. CSIA certified chimney sweeps subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics, protecting homeowners and preventing unsavory business practices. Sweeps found in violation of the ethics code can lose their certification.
  • Reciprocal trades relationship. The CSIA maintains reciprocal trade relationship with affiliated trade groups such as homeowner associations, home inspectors, and realtors.
  • National recognition. The CSIA certification is considered to be the top professional group in the fireplace industry. With sweeps in nearly every state, CSIA sweeps are often seen on news programs or quoted in publications as experts in the field.

Hiring a certified chimney sweep!

The CSIA database of certified chimney sweeps is a wonderful resource available to homeowners, allowing them to find a certified sweep in their area. By asking the following questions before hiring a chimney sweep, you can ensure you are working with a knowledgeable professional who can correctly care for your chimney system.

– How long have you been in business in this area? – Do you have references from current customers? – Does the company or chimney sweep carry liability insurance? – Will a CSIA certified chimney sweep work on my job site?

Working with a certified, professional chimney sweep can give you the peace of mind to enjoy your fireplace system all year long. For more information on the benefits of working with a CSIA certified chimney sweep or to schedule your next chimney services, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!