2014 was certainly was a busy time in our industry as Americans seemed to embrace the fireplace or wood stove like they hadn’t in years, possibly due to a historically frigid year. At CSIA we made sure that homeowners seeking a chimney inspection knew where to turn to find a qualified professional [csia.org/search.] We not … More Year in Review: Outreach and education highlights from 2014
We talk about safety at the Chimney Safety Institute of America to the general public. But at CSIA, we also preach to chimney professionals about the need to think about their own health as they move from appointment to appointment. Well, it means a great deal more to our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps when that … More Year in Review: CSIA’s most-read chimney articles in 2014
The men and women who hold the Certified Chimney Sweep credential from the Chimney Safety Institute of America are indeed at the top of the chimney industry, and in 2014 CSIA turned to several veterans and instructors for tips that we could film and share with homeowners. The results: Nearly 23,000 video views of content housed on CSIA’s YouTube … More Year in Review: CSIA’s top video clicks of 2014 for chimney consumers
We were amazed to read about an unusual discovery stuck inside of a fireplace in Wales: A girl’s letter to Father Christmas that lay undiscovered for almost a century! The Mirror of London [view the article here] reports that it was found at a girls’ boarding school. That got us to thinking. It’s been an interesting … More Surprises inside the chimney: a letter to Santa, a newspaper, a balloon, a cat
The Chimney Safety Institute of America and Fireman’s Fund, a major property insurance company, are partnering to bring more awareness of chimney safety and the need for chimney inspections to Fireman’s Fund clients. “The partnership the Chimney Safety Institute of America has with the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company will benefit their clients by making them aware … More Fireman’s Fund uses CSIA expertise to provide chimney safety to clients
It’s that time of year when the live Christmas tree is a fixture in living rooms across America, and we know how much thought and care has gone into selecting that perfect tree! Well, the Chimney Safety Institute of America wants you to be as careful where you place that tree. Like all combustibles, if … More The Christmas tree and your fireplace
A Lancaster, Pennsylvania news organization is warning its viewers about an increase in complaints regarding furnace and chimney repair scams. WGAL-TV, Channel 8, aired a report Dec. 16 that provides tips for homeowners that are useful to all consumers, coast to coast. “To protect yourself and your money, avoid agreeing to a same-day repair job,” advises … More Avoiding a chimney scam: Media advises for homeowners to use CSIA
We want to help homeowners get a handle on the damper, one of the most misunderstood features of the fireplace, but so vital. If the damper is not functioning correctly or if it’s closed, you’ve got a situation on your hands that may lead to a smoky room at best and a fire hazard at worst. At the … More Need to get a handle on your fireplace damper? CSIA can help
Update, Jan. 3, 2015: Once again, someone has had to be rescued after trying to use the rooftop chimney as an entryway. NBC Los Angeles reports that she was stuck above a 12-by-12-foot brick fireplace. It seems to happen every season — … More Woman trapped in chimney illustrates unknowns of the flue
As many chimney sweeps know, CSIA is planning to upgrade our Successful Chimney Sweep reference manual. Leading this effort is Chuck Roydhouse, a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep since 1995 who was named to the board of directors in March 2014. Chuck, owner of Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County Chimney Service Inc., of Millersville, Maryland, … More Sweeping changes coming to the chimney industry’s manual
Wisdom from the Hearth 