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News

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
12/7/2009 Press Release

When it Comes to Chimney Safety, D-I-Y Can Spell Disaster

December 7, 2009 – Plainfield, IN The National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America both recommend that homeowners call a qualified professional for an annual chimney inspection. Only a qualified professional will be able to identify and resolve structural and maintenance issues before potential carbon monoxide intrusion and chimney fire hazards risk your time, health or money.

Famous last words of do-it-yourself “chimney sweeps”:

“I’ve swept my own chimney for 25 years and we’ve been fine…” Many homeowners don’t realize that a very thin, very combustible, layer of glazed creosote can build up over time. A qualified professional has the knowledge to identify and the tools to remove this dangerous byproduct of combustion.

“That crack has been there for years! It’ll be okay.” When a flue liner is cracked, these cracks open during the heating phase and may allow heat to be transferred to the vulnerable chimney walls. One of the important functions of the flue lining is to serve as an insulator between the hot flue gases and the chimney wall.

“I heat with gas. I don’t need to have my chimney swept.” Qualified professionals do so much more than simply run a brush up the flue. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® will identify and help address installation issues, and possible venting issues, and provide needed maintenance and help the homeowner identify operational efficiencies.

“If I start a chimney fire, I’ll burn out all of the creosote.” Chimney fires are no casual matter. Chimney fires may melt mortar, crack tiles, cause liners to collapse and damage the outer masonry material. Most often, tiles crack and mortar is displaced, which provides a pathway for flames to reach the wood frame of the house. One chimney fire may not harm a home. A second can burn it down.

Annual chimney inspections and chimney maintenance is best left to a qualified chimney professional. The Chimney Safety Institute of America administers the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep program. Chimney sweeps earn the credential by passing a series of two exams on industry codes and standards and by signing the CSIA Code of Ethics.

# # #

The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.

Copyright CSIA | All Rights Reserved
2155 Commercial Drive  |  Plainfield, IN 46168
 (317) 837-5362 | office@csia.org
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  • Homeowner Resources
    • Chimney Safety Week
    • Community Resources
    • How to Hire a Chimney Sweep >
      • Multiple Estimates - Now What?
      • About Chimney Inspections
    • Why CSIA Credentials are the Industry Standard >
      • How do Chimneys Work? Design & Function of Chimneys.
    • About Your Chimney & Venting System >
      • Anatomy of Your Fireplace
      • Chimney Liners
      • Chimney Safety Overview
      • Gas Appliances
      • Oil-fired Appliances
      • Water & Your Masonry Chimney
    • The Facts About Chimney Fires
    • Properly Storing & Burning Wood >
      • How to Select Firewood
      • How to Build a Top-Down Burn
      • Installing Woodstoves and Inserts
      • Handling Wood Ash
    • Clothes Dryer Safety
    • Chimney Swifts
    • FAQ
  • Get Certified
    • CSIA National Training Academy
    • CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep
    • CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
    • CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist
    • CSIA Master Chimney Sweep
    • Renew Your Credential
    • CSIA Exam Administration
    • Accepted Exam Proctors
    • Proctor Free
  • Education
    • CSIA Event Calendar
    • Class Schedule
    • In-Person Training >
      • CSIA 4-Day Workshops
      • Chimney Documentation to Reduce Liability & Increase Profits
      • Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances
      • Chimney Science
      • Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals
      • Rope Access and Safety
    • CSIA eLearning >
      • Subscription
      • À La Carte
      • Online Chimney Physics
      • Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel
      • Certified Chimney Sweep® CVE Online Review - NEW
      • Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Online Review
    • CSIA ROADSHOW
    • Apply for CEUs
    • Military Benefits
    • Instructors
    • CSIA White Papers
  • Partner with Us
    • CSIA Accepted Products >
      • ChimFex Fire Suppressant
      • Creosote Buster Firelog
      • CSL Creosote Sweeping Log
      • Duraflame Firelogs
      • Duct Cleaners Supply
      • National Chimney
      • SaverSystems
    • CSIA Access
    • Donor Recognition
    • Sweep Away Cancer
  • Sweep Shop
  • About
    • MEDIA >
      • Annual Chimney Fire and Carbon Monoxide Statistics
      • News
      • CSIA Video Library
    • Mission & Leadership
    • Blog
    • Contact
    • Preferred Hotels
    • Affiliates & Resources
    • Refund Policy
    • Trademarks & Ethics Processes
  • CCS & CDET Login