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The Master Chimney Sweep Certification

Finding a service professional always proves difficult. You want a professional who is knowledgeable and experienced, and who will do the job right the first time. Finding a chimney sweep can be even more nerve-wracking; if your chimney and fireplace aren’t properly cared for, you put your home at risk of a fire. You might know that the best way to find an experienced, reliable chimney sweep is by searching for a sweep who has been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). However, there’s a step above the CSIA certification: the Master Chimney Sweep Certification.

What is the Master Chimney Sweep Certification?

To obtain the Master Chimney Sweep Certification, chimney sweeps go above and beyond the requirements of the regular CSIA certification. With regular CSIA certification, sweeps undergo training or classes and sit through certification exams that cover: the physics of combustion, the proper removal of creosote from a chimney, building codes and clearances for fire-burning appliances, and proper chimney and fireplace repair and maintenance. They swear to follow a code of contact that guarantees they will follow industry best practices! They also promise to follow a professional code of ethics.

To qualify as a Master Chimney Sweep, CSIA-certified chimney sweeps must also:

• Be an active CSIA-certified chimney sweep who has held CSIA certification for 10 or more continuous years.
• Hold the CSIA certification for dryer vent cleaning.
• Completed additional CSIA courses in chimney physics, inspection and report writing or diagnostics and documentation, masonry repair for chimney professionals, and lining masonry chimney with stainless steel.
• Have an active National Fireplace Institute (NFI) Certification that was earned through the CSIA course in Installing and Troubleshooting Wood-Heating Appliances or Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances or an NFI certification that has been held for more than six years, a FIRE Certified Inspector credential, or a degree in fire science from an accredited college.

Where can you find a CSIA Master Chimney Sweep?

CSIA Master Chimney Sweeps are few and far between. The CSIA lists only 33 Master Chimney Sweeps nationwide! Here in Indianapolis, there are two master chimney sweeps. One is a CSIA employee, and the other is Your Chimney Sweep Founder and President Joe Sauter! Joe has worked as a chimney sweep for more than 35 years. He has served on the board of directors and as ethic chairman for both the CSIA and the National Chimney Sweep Guild. He is also an Indiana state-certified firefighter with a master in arson and investigations.

When it comes to finding a qualified, experienced, knowledgeable chimney sweep, you can’t do better than Your Chimney Sweep! When you rely on Your Chimney Sweep, you know that your fireplace and chimney will be cleaned, maintained and serviced the right way. Call to schedule your appointment with Your Chimney Sweep today!

Why professional certifications matter

If you are in the market for a chimney sweep, it can be difficult to distinguish one chimney service company from another. The scary truth is that anyone who purchases the right equipment can sell their services as a chimney sweep. Fortunately, you can be assured you are hiring a trained and qualified chimney sweep who will take care of your hearth and your home properly: Just look for professional certifications from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

Training

One of the most important benefits of hiring a CSIA-certified chimney sweep is that the certification verifies that your sweep has undergone training and testing in the cleaning, installation and servicing of fireplaces, heating stoves and chimneys. To become certified, sweeps must first study proper chimney sweeping techniques; the National Fire Protection Association’s code 221, which governs proper chimney maintenance and repair; and the International Residential Code, which outlines proper building techniques for homes. Then, sweeps must sit through a review of the material, either through an in-person session, an intensive training academy or online. To finally earn their certification, sweeps must complete a one-hour exam on chimney sweeping practices and the NPA 221, and a 90 minute exam on the International Residential Code.

Continuing education

CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are required to attend continuing education courses to maintain their certifications, which means that when you hire a CSIA-certified sweep, you can be sure that your sweep is up-to-date on the best practices in chimney care. To maintain their CSIA certification, chimney sweeps must recertify every three years, either by retaking the certification exams, completing continuing education courses or through a combination of the two.

Code of ethics

Another reason your chimney sweep’s professional certification matters is that CSIA certification binds your chimney sweep to the CSIA’s code of ethics. Under the CSIA code of ethics, sweeps guarantee that they will learn and implement the CSIA’s recommended sweeping techniques, that they will not engage in any deceptive or unfair business practices, that they will comply with local building codes and appliance manufacturers’ recommendations, that they will educate their customers on safe use of fireplaces and chimneys, that they will continue to update their chimney sweeping knowledge and skills, and that they will behave professionally as representatives of the chimney sweeping industry.

With a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, you can be confident that you are hiring a sweep who knows how to clean and maintain your vented appliances the right way, who is up to date on the latest chimney sweeping techniques and who will treat you fairly and professionally. If you need a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to care for your fireplace, heating stove, chimney, clothing dryer vents or other vented appliances, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment! Our sweeps are CSIA-certified to care for your chimneys and your clothing dryer vents.