Our professional certified chimney sweeps provide a number of chimney services from chimney cleaning to chimney repair for towns like West Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, Burlington, Bloomfield, Unionville, Bristol, New Britain, Newington, and Wethersfield.
When it comes to the proper operation of your chimney and venting system, don’t leave the safety of your home and family to just anyone! Any chimney sweep service, from chimney repairs to chimney relining and even firebox rebuilding or historic chimney restoration, should be performed by qualified professionals to ensure that the job is completed properly. A perfectly functioning venting system is necessary for both safety and efficiency, so it only makes sense to take care when hiring a contractor to perform chimney sweep services. A homeowner can do no better than to hire a company that is both an NCSG member and has only CSIA certified chimney sweep technicians. Here’s a look into the two organizations and why they are important to a chimney sweep’s credentials & reputation:
Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) – Certified Chimney Sweeps
The Chimney Safety Institute of America is the premier chimney safety program in the United States. The CSIA website provides information regarding what is required for CSIA certification:
“CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps keep abreast of the current developments and the technology of their trade. They are knowledgeable about the most recent National Fire Protection Association standards as well as the specifics of state and local codes covering their geographic area. In order to ensure a verifiable level of expertise within the trade, the Chimney Safety Institute of America administers the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Program.
It is an educational and testing program designed to assess a chimney sweep’s knowledge of:
(1) Technical issues related to chimney construction and dynamics
(2) Solid fuel appliances and EPA requirements
(3) The physics of woodburning and creosote formation
(4) Codes, clearances and standards
(5) The practices and techniques of the trade.
Throughout most of the 50 states, the homeowner’s best gauge of a chimney serviceperson’s knowledge is the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential. C.S.I.A. Certified Sweeps are tested every three years, and display a dated, photo-ID badge. A good way to be sure the sweep servicing your chimney is currently Certified is to check the search engine on this website or call the CSIA office. These sweeps must also sign a CSIA Chimney Sweep Code of Ethics to help insure homeowners get not only a knowledgeable sweep, but an honest one. Don’t settle for less!”
National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) – Ethical Chimney Sweeps
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is the only nationally recognized trade association for chimney professionals. Other than advancing the industry standards through public awareness campaigns, the non-profit also strives to provide progressive services in order to promote professionalism & ethical accountability among its members.
Membership in the NCSG indicates that a chimney sweep or chimney contractor is actively involved in keeping current with the best industry practices in chimney servicing, maintenance and repair, and stays up-to-date with the latest chimney related products, tools, and service techniques.
Good standing members of the NCSG have:
- A commitment to credibility and professionalism.
- An agreement to adhere to a Code of Ethics as well as possible disciplinary actions against those who fail to do so.
- Access to regular technical updates of Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology the discuss new products, best practices, and techniques, along with continuing education at discounted rates.
What makes the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® credential the industry standard?
