After a chimney fire was reported in a home in Illinois, the local media asked the fire chief about the cause. His response: The fire likely was caused by something built up in the chimney that ignited, the Northwest Herald reported on its website. What “built up” in the chimney was probably the by-products of combustion — the … More Fire in the flue: ‘Something built up in the chimney that ignited’
The Chimney Safety Institute of America reminds homeowners in the northeastern U.S. impacted by the #blizzardof2015 that chimneys and vents for solid fuel and gas appliances must be cleared of snow and ice to enable proper venting and to prevent any carbon monoxide accumulation. Both are very real dangers. Don’t assume that the hot air … More Be cautious of snow-blocked vents, overuse of wood stoves, fireplaces in outages
There are some things you have to see to believe. Yes, this looks as unappealing and formidable as you might be thinking. It is creosote, the No. 1 nemesis in the world of fireplace and wood stove lovers. Chimney sweeps certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America employ all sorts of pole-mounted brushes and rotary sweepers … More What creosote looks like after it’s removed from a chimney [with video]
The CSIA Benefit Auction committee is looking for volunteers to help serve as “roadies and runners” at the National Chimney Sweep [NCSG] Convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This year’s auction [click here for more information] is Friday, Feb. 20. We’ll need help to pick up donations from our generous vendors and to move the items into the auction … More CSIA Benefit Auction needs roadies
Many CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps use the early winter (following the Christmas rush) to re-credential or sign up for e-learning and review classes to get CEUs to apply toward their certification renewal. Please note: There will be NO online exams February 13 through February 26, so the staff at CSIA cannot book any online tests for those … More An important reminder for chimney pros taking CSIA proctored exams and online classes
A newspaper account of a family displaced from their home due a common issue within the chimney — creosote buildup — is a good reminder that this substance can cause misery even when it’s not causing an unwanted chimney fire. In the case of one family, the misery was smoke. Smoke is supposed to exit … More Creosote has many forms, many levels of misery
[UPDATED] The Chimney Safety Institute of America has partnered with Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, Inc. (PDRI) to improve the certification process for CSIA’s Certified Chimney Sweep credential, CSIA’s Dryer Exhaust Technician credential, and a new credential up for consideration based on popular demand — Stainless Steel Technician. An email has been sent to a combined 1,500 industry pros asking them … More Here’s where to fill out CSIA’s credential analysis surveys
Power outages can occur during below-freezing weather, such as following an ice storm. You’ve got to plan ahead for alternative heating sources in that situation, and one possibility could be your fireplace. But a power outage is NOT the time to try out your fireplace or wood stove for the first time in the winter … More Using your fireplace after a power outage (#icestorm)
CSIA’s update of our Successful Chimney Sweep reference manual, an effort that will make our credentialed chimney sweeps and dryer exhaust technicians become better at their jobs — ultimately helping homeowners and businesses — is onto its next phase. Sweeps and dryer exhaust experts should be on the lookout for an email or letter and … More Why we’re surveying 1,500 chimney sweeps and exhaust pros
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — To say the Chimney Safety Institute of America has had a major impact on Frank Lesh, executive director of the ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) would be an understatement. “Besides being executive director, I’m also a home inspector and years ago my (Great Lakes) chapter and I attended the Chimney Safety … More ASHI home inspection executive, member explain why they like CSIA
Wisdom from the Hearth 