Tips for Hiring Chimney and Fireplace Contractors
Hiring a qualified contractor to clean or inspect your fireplace, chimney and other venting systems can mean the difference between life and death - even if you never use your fireplace.
This isn't meant to alarm you, but the fact is that each year in the U.S., over 5,500 home fires originate in the fireplace. And according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning claims more than 1,500 lives a year and causes about 10,000 injuries.
Chimney inspections save lives
Since the chimney is used by almost all home heating appliances to eliminate carbon monoxide and other toxic gaseous by-products, a blocked or malfunctioning chimney can lead to dangerous - or deadly - consequences. A chimney inspection can uncover damaged or deteriorating flue liners, soot build-up, debris clogging the passageway, and animal or bird nests, which all obstruct chimney flues and can lead to carbon monoxide production and contamination of your home.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause permanent organ and brain damage from even low-level exposure. And since symptoms can be mistaken for those of the common cold, flu or exhaustion, diagnosis is often delayed. It is therefore necessary to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, near the furnace and near sleeping areas. But this is an emergency safety precaution and not a substitute for regular chimney maintenance.
Do it once a year
It is recommended to have your chimney and venting system cleaned and inspected each year. There are no U.S. federal government regulations mandating regularly scheduled chimney inspections and cleaning, however, the National Fire Protection Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Lung Association all recommend regular maintenance of home heating systems and chimneys. While annual chimney inspections have been required for years in European countries and some Canadian provinces, it is only gradually becoming accepted practice in the United States.
[ ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW... ]
Who are you going to call?
It is a good idea to use a chimney sweep who is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified Chimney Sweep Program. The CSIA is a non-profit, educational organization that 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.”
CSIA certification is the chimney and venting service industry's only national certification program, and has become the most widely recognized standard. The CSIA has set its education and testing in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211 Standards, as well as state and local codes. CSIA certified chimney sweeps are tested every three years to stay on top of current developments and new technologies, and they must sign a code of ethics.
Hire certified contractors
There are other, more regional programs which provide education and certification, such as Fireplace Investigation Research and Education (F.I.R.E.) which is based in California, although you can find a limited number of F.I.R.E. certified inspectors across the U.S. Whichever fireplace and chimney contractor you choose, be sure that they are adequately qualified.
When hiring a chimney inspector, you may want to consider one that doesn't do repairs, to ensure that they won't be motivated to find unnecessary problems to fix.
