CHIMNEY SAFETY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (CSIA)

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  • Homeowners
    • Find a Certified Pro
    • Homeowner Resources >
      • Homeowner FAQs
      • Hiring a Chimney Sweep >
        • When to Hire a Chimney Sweep
        • What to Expect - Chimney Sweep & Inspection
        • Cost Guide - Chimney Care
        • Multiple Estimates - Now What?
      • Chimney Info >
        • Chimney Safety Overview
        • About Chimney Inspections
        • Facts About Chimney Fires
        • How do Chimneys Work?
      • Blog
      • CSIA® Accepted Products >
        • ChimFex Fire Suppressant
        • Creosote Buster Firelog
        • CSL Creosote Sweeping Log
        • Duraflame Firelogs
        • Duct Cleaners Supply
        • National Chimney
        • SaverSystems
  • Certification
    • Pro Login
    • Listings2Leads Login
    • Certification or Renewal >
      • Certification >
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®
        • CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist®
        • CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®
        • CSIA Master Chimney Sweep®
      • Renew Your Credential >
        • CEU Tips
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Sweep Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Certified Chimney Specialist Credential
        • Renew CSIA® CDET Credential
        • Renew CSIA® Master Chimney Sweep Credential
        • Annual Certification Fee
    • Get Certified >
      • How to Get Certified
      • CSIA® Exam Guide >
        • Proctored Exams
        • Accepted Exam Proctors
        • Proctor Free
  • Sweep Shop
  • CSIA Education
    • CSIA University
    • CSIA / SureFire Online Education
    • CSIA® Contracted Mobile Training
    • CSIA Instructors >
      • Instructor Application
    • Preferred Hotels
    • Chimney Science & Research >
      • CSIA White Papers
    • CEU Course Application
    • Military Benefits
  • Sponsorship
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Donate With Us
  • About
    • Board of Trustees >
      • Join the Board
    • Join a Committee >
      • Volunteer Committees
    • CSIA Staff
    • Fundraising >
      • Sweep Away Cancer
      • Warrior Horse
    • Our Mission & Values
    • CSIA Policies >
      • CSIA Policies
      • Refund Policy
      • Attendance Policy
      • Class Enrollment Contingency & Travel Adjustment Policy
      • Non Discrimination & Diversity Statement
      • Proprietary Interests Policy
      • Bylaws
    • Trademarks & Ethics Processes
    • Public Policy / Advocacy
    • Affiliates & Resources
    • Latest News
  • Contact

CSIA BLOGS

Fire Pit Safety Tips & FAQs: Your Guide to Safely Using Your Fire Pit

5/16/2023

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Convos and beverages with friends under the stars. Roasted weenies and s’mores. Fire pits bring the party to your backyard. But like anything where fire is involved, there’s a safe and an unsafe way to enjoy your fire pit. We’re going to talk about that right now, as we dive into some fire pit safety tips and FAQs.

#1 Where should my fire pit be located?

First things first. Let’s talk fire pit placement. You’ll need a flat surface, but do not place your fire pit directly on the grass. Ideally, you want your fire pit raised at least 6-10 inches off the ground on some type of a metal or other non-combustible base.
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Now let’s talk distance from your home. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to place your fire pit at least 10 feet from your home, storage shed, fence, or any other structure or dwelling.

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Clothes Dryer Safety Tips – A Homeowner’s Guide to a Safer, More Efficient Dryer & Home

5/16/2023

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All it takes is one week on the road without a washer and dryer and you’re thanking the heavens you’ve got these modern appliances in your home. They certainly make life easier – especially if you’ve got a big family.

But did you know that your clothes dryer could actually be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard if you skip routine maintenance?

It’s true. Lint and debris can build up in your dryer duct, causing your dryer to work overtime and creating potentially hazardous conditions – like dangerous levels of carbon monoxide or even a house fire.

In fact, each year, there are around 2,900 clothes dryer fires here in the U.S. – resulting in multiple deaths, around 100 injuries, and an estimated $35 million in property loss.

Here at the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), we think those numbers are too high. We aim to reduce those numbers, which is why we created the C-DET® certification and put together some dryer safety tips from the NFPA for you.
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Take a look around and let us know if you have any questions!

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What You Can & Can’t Burn in Your Fireplace

5/16/2023

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​Hello, wood burners! Welcome to your ultimate guide on firewood and what you can + can’t burn in your fireplace. We’re going to cover everything from wood types and the moisture content of properly seasoned wood to creosote logs, wood storage, and safe burn practices.

Let’s get started!

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The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Fireplace Properly & Efficiently

5/16/2023

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​Even if you grew up with a fireplace in your home, there’s always more to learn about how to properly use, maintain, and enjoy your fireplace. You likely have questions about how to get the most heat and efficiency from your fireplace, how to know if it’s safe to use your fireplace, how to improve draft, etc. Well, we’re here to help.
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Here at CSIA, we believe that the more homeowners know about fireplaces, the more empowered they’ll be to safely use them. That’s why we put together this Ultimate Guide to Using Your Fireplace.
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In it, we’ll cover:
  • Common questions around chimney and fireplace use and maintenance
  • Tips on using and maintaining your wood-burning fireplace, stove, or insert
  • Tips on using and maintaining your gas-fired fireplace, stove, or insert
Let’s dive in.

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Why Is My Fireplace Smoking?

5/16/2023

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5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Chimney & Fireplace

5/16/2023

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So, you want to know what you can be doing to keep your chimney and fireplace in great shape. Great! There are a couple of things you can DIY, but some things are best left to the professionals. We’ve included both here because they’re *vital* to chimney/fireplace performance, safety, and longevity.
​
Alright, let’s dive in and look at the top five things you can do to help your chimney and fireplace perform well (and as safely as possible), stand strong, and look great through the years…

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What to Do When…

5/16/2023

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Chimney ownership comes with its own challenges, and you may not know what to do in every situation. We’re here to help by going over some of the most common ‘Uh oh’ scenarios of chimney ownership and what you should do in each situation.

Plus, we’ll cover why you might find yourself in these types of situations in the first place and what you can do to prevent them in the future.
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Let’s get started…

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Gas & Oil Furnace Chimneys: What You Need to Know

5/16/2023

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Most of us grew up with HVAC systems, so it’s not surprising that we often take the comfort they provide for granted. Typically, we don’t even think about these systems until there’s a problem, right? But the truth is, just like any other area of your home, your furnace and the venting system it relies on require routine care. And when you neglect the chimney venting your gas or oil furnace, boiler, or water heater, you can run into trouble…

Not only will your appliance itself suffer in terms of performance and efficiency, but you may also see an increase in fire and carbon monoxide risks, as well as bigger repair bills down the line.

We want to help you avoid expensive repairs and unnecessary risk, and we believe education is the key. So, let’s dive into what you need to know about gas and oil furnace flue maintenance.
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Ready? Let’s get started.

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Chimney Leaks: What to Do if You Have One & How to Prevent Them

5/16/2023

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​A leaky chimney is more than just an inconvenience – if it’s ignored, it can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars to fix. Unfortunately, many homeowners are under the impression that chimneys – masonry chimneys especially – are unbothered by weather and impenetrable by water.

Not true. Masonry chimneys may look and seem indestructible, but they’re not. They’re constructed of a variety of masonry and metal materials, including brick, mortar, concrete block, stone, flue tile, steel, and cast iron – all of which (except stone) are adversely affected by direct contact with water or water penetration.

Masonry materials deteriorate even more rapidly when exposed to the freeze/thaw process, in which moisture penetrates the materials and periodically freezes and expands, causing undue stress. And depending on where you live, your chimney may be exposed to the freeze/thaw process for as many as six months or so.

Here’s the key takeaway: Water is your chimney’s biggest enemy, and a leaky chimney can lead to both interior and exterior deterioration and costly damage if neglected.

But what causes chimney leaks?

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Chimney Sweeping Logs: Your Questions Answered

5/16/2023

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We get a lot of questions about chimney sweeping logs and creosote logs, like:
  • Do chimney sweeping logs really work?
  • How do chimney cleaning logs work?
  • If you use a creosote log, do you still need a chimney sweep?

Well, we’ve got answers! Let’s dive in.

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    May 2023

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