Owning a chimney is a big responsibility. If there are issues with your chimney system that you are not aware of, it can cause complications with your fireplace’s performance, and be a considerable fire or structural safety hazard. With so much at risk, it is important that you choose a chimney sweep with the skills, training, and experience to inspect, maintain, and repair your chimney and fireplace. In addition to this, you want a chimney sweep that is going to conduct their business fairly and without cutting any corners. That’s why we here at Old Smokey’s want to let our customers know why it is important to us that all our chimney sweeps receive and maintain a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Only a CSIA certified chimney sweep is qualified to perform maintenance, inspections, and repairs on your chimney and ventilation system.
What is a CSIA certification?
The CSIA is a non-profit organization that was originated to create certification standards for chimney sweeps in relation to chimney and ventilation maintenance and safety. In addition to this, the CSIA also requires that chimney sweeps take an oath, promising to practice ethical business practices.
There are a few steps required to becoming CSIA certified. First, sweeps need to go through a rigorous training schedule related to the latest chimney, fireplace, and ventilation maintenance and repair techniques. Sweeps will then need to go through another training on chimney and ventilation safety issues and standards. Once their training is over, chimney sweeps need to pass a comprehensive exam based off of their training.
Once they’ve passed their exam, there is one final step that sweeps need to complete before certification. The CSIA has every sweep to create a personal code of ethics and conduct. This code of ethics is created with the consumer’s well being in mind. Each code must state that a chimney sweep will always keep their costumer’s safety as a top priority when working on their chimney and ventilation systems. They must also make a promise to never cut corners when working for a customer and to conduct ethical business standards. Once they develop their code, sweeps must swear to uphold their code, and perform their work with integrity. Once this step is completed, sweeps are eligible for certification.
Once a certification is issued, that doesn’t mean that a chimney sweep is done with the certification process. Technology is always changing, so sweeps need to stay current with the latest techniques related to chimney maintenance and safety. That’s why the CSIA requires all sweeps to be recertified every three years.
If you are in need of a chimney inspection or repair, now is a great time to schedule one! Beat the fall rush and call Old Smokey’s today to have one of our CSIA certified chimney sweeps inspect your chimney. If you live in the northern Indiana, northern Ohio, or mid-Michigan region, you can reach us at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online today!