How To Hire The Right Chimney Sweep

Many people think chimney sweeps are a long-forgotten relic of bygone days, but nothing could be further from the truth. Chimney sweeps are thriving and in need more than ever because people want to properly maintain their fireplaces and chimneys to operate efficiently and safely. However, hiring a chimney sweep is like hiring any other contractor; you want to be certain you’re getting a company that knows what they’re doing, will do the work correctly and will treat you right throughout the process. So, what should you look for when hiring a chimney sweep?

Training & Experience

This holds true for hiring anyone, but it’s sometimes more important when hiring a chimney sweep. Hiring a company or individual who doesn’t have the proper training and experience cleaning chimneys can put your family at risk of carbon monoxide, smoke puffing into the house, or a fire.

In most states, chimney sweeps don’t have to be licensed, which means anyone can hang out a shingle and start a business as a chimney sweep. But, there are certifications one can earn through education and examination that puts them above the amateur. When hiring a chimney sweep, look for one certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This certification means the technician passed rigorous testing to demonstrate they have the knowledge and understanding of chimney venting systems and codes and proper safety practices.

CSIA technicians also agree to abide by a code of ethics to provide honest, fair, and respectful service to every customer. Lastly, CSIA-certified technicians must undergo continuing education and testing to maintain their certification, which means they must stay up-to-date with the latest tools, techniques, codes, and regulations.

Insurance

You must make sure every contractor you hire to come onto your property to work is fully licensed for your protection against any mishaps or unexpected problems that crop up during work. Hiring an unlicensed company puts you at risk of being financially responsible should something go wrong.

Good References

Another thing you’ll want to secure before hiring a chimney sweep is references. Going by online reviews is okay, but you can’t always believe what you read online, either positive or negative, which is why it’s best to get names and numbers of people you can contact to see how satisfied they are with the work they received. If a contractor doesn’t want to give you references or stalls when you ask, move on to another company because this is a red flag.

Background Checks

Having strangers come into your home to work can be scary for some people and for good reasons. There are too many horror stories out there, and while you want to trust people, you also want to be certain you and your family are safe.

Look for a company that does complete background checks and drug tests on their technicians to give you peace of mind knowing a true professional is coming to solve your problem and be on their way. In the same vein, look for a professionally branded company, meaning they wear their logos on their clothes and display them on their vehicles.

Call Mercer County Chimney Service

Mercer County Chimney Service is a family-owned and operated full-service chimney company serving Hamilton, NJ, and Mercer County. All of our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute, and we’re members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild.

We’re a trusted company for all of your chimney service needs, including:

• Chimney cleaning
• Chimney inspections
• Flue cleaning
• Chimney waterproofing
• Chimney repairs & rebuilds
• Fireplace maintenance and inspection
• And more!

We’re the chimney sweep you can trust in Mercer County. Call us today to book an appointment at 609-802-5288 or fill out our online form.