At Ashbusters, all of our chimney sweeps have been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) because CSIA certification is the media-respected and nationally recognized certification in the chimney and venting system industry. We value our CSIA credentials and are proud of representing the CSIA on every job we do. We would like to tell you more about the CSIA and why their certification is so important to you as a customer.
What Exactly Is the CSIA?
Founded in 1983, the Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the safety of chimney and venting systems. Devoting resources to educate the public, chimney and venting professionals, and other fire prevention specialists about preventing and correcting chimney and venting system hazards, the CSIA commits itself to the elimination of house fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and other chimney and venting system-related hazards that cause the loss of lives and property. Recently, the CSIA has expanded its use of social media to inform the public on chimney and venting system safety procedures.
Why Is Hiring a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep So Important to Me as a Customer?
Unfortunately, the chimney industry is unregulated in most areas of the country, and this allows anyone with a set of chimney-cleaning brushes to call themselves a chimney sweep. Since homeowners cannot see the majority of their chimney’s interior, they must put their trust in the chimney sweep they hire to clean their chimney. Every year, there are reports of unscrupulous chimney companies and individuals who prey on customer’s fears of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning to sell them unnecessary and expensive repairs. Sometimes these chimney sweeps do not even perform the repairs, leaving the homeowner in danger of fire and carbon monoxide hazards. CSIA-certified chimney sweeps have pledged in the CSIA Code of Ethics to always render services honestly and fairly and to refrain from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. They’ve also pledged to keep from making dishonest and deceptive statements when performing their services. This means you can trust a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, such as the sweeps at Ashbusters, to clean and repair your chimney and venting system. You won’t have to worry about being taken advantage of when you hire that sweep.
How Do Chimney Sweeps Become Certified by the CSIA?
To become certified by the CSIA, one must attend an educational review session, either in person at the CSIA’s National Chimney Sweep Training School or online. After completing the review session, one must then pass two extensive exams based on chimney and venting system practices and procedures as well as demonstrate the knowledge needed to service your chimney and venting system. One must then sign the CSIA Code of Ethics, which ensures the trustworthiness of that chimney sweep. CSIA-certified sweeps must also keep up with the latest technologies and practices in the chimney and venting system industry, The CSIA offers continuing education classes such as chimney physics, stainless steel relining and several different inspection classes as a CSIA-certified sweep has pledged to continue his education within the chimney industry.
Need a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to do your annual chimney sweeping and inspection? Contact Ashbusters to schedule an appointment with one of our certified sweeps.