You wouldn’t hire a mechanic to be your doctor—or vice versa—so why would you choose a random “handyman” to clean your chimney? A dirty chimney is dangerous, greatly increasing your chances of a home fire, and it’s something you should have cleaned every year.
Certified chimney sweeps have gone through training and testing to prove their expertise, and you should only hire someone with the right credit for the job.
The Importance of CSIA Certification
The Chimney Safety Institute of America is the most widely-recognized chimney technician certification in the industry. The testing associated with CSIA is thorough, covering safety, venting, building codes, the technical aspects of chimneys and their construction, best practices for the industry, EPA requirements, and more. Certified sweeps are required to keep up-to-date with training and to deal honestly with customers.
Additional Certification
You may also choose to hire chimney technicians with advanced qualifications or certifications specific to what you need done. For example, many of our technicians are Certified Chimney Reliners, which means they can follow the best possible practices for relining a chimney. We also are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, which means we are always up-to-date on trade news.
Do Your Research
Certified, experienced, and trustworthy chimney sweeps do not typically show up at your door to offer you a great deal. Do your research before hiring a chimney company, as—unfortunately—there are a lot of scams associated with this industry. You should look for CSIA and the other certifications we have mentioned here. You may also decide to check with the Better Business Bureau to be sure you are working with a trustworthy company.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. provides chimney sweeping, inspections, and more in Minneapolis, MN. Don’t continue using your fireplace this season without a chimney inspection from our certified team!