What is the NCSG?
Introduction
Truthfully, the chimney and fireplace industry is still widely unregulated. Anyone with a truck, willpower, and a few chimney brushes can go around calling themselves chimney sweeps. But when you hire a chimney contractor, I’m sure you expect someone who is qualified to do the job correctly and who conducts their business ethically and professionally, right?
If so, then you should always hire members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) to work on your chimney. The NCSG is a nationally recognized 501(C)(6) non-profit trade association that exists to improve fireplace safety, educate consumers, and promote the success of chimney sweeps by encouraging professionalism and ethical accountability in our daily work.
“If you are in need of chimney service and you want someone you can trust to act professionally and ethically, then you should turn to the NCSG. Their whole mission is set up to provide you with a shortcut in finding a trustworthy chimney professional.”
-Mitchell Blackmon
The NCSG was founded in 1977 as a result of an increase in wood stove use caused by the oil embargo crisis of the early to mid-1970s. To this day, they are the only national trade association representing chimney professionals in North America. But its member companies range in size from the owner-operator sole proprietors all the way up to chimney companies with 20+ vehicles and manufacturers with hundreds of employees.
What Does the NCSG Do?
Since the chimney industry isn’t as well regulated by the state and federal governments, the NCSG aims to provide professional standards for all member sweeps to follow. With my company’s membership, we can take part in up-to-date training to stay informed on safety standards within the industry.
The NCSG also holds an annual conference, where we have the opportunity to network, connect, and learn from folks like Master Technicians, who have been in the industry for decades, and other industry experts. This allows us to learn and grow in our trade.
But the biggest benefit to you, as a consumer, is the NCSG’s code of ethics. It was written to hold member sweeps to a much higher standard for performance and professional behavior. You can be sure to put your full trust in NCSG’s members because we are committed to being trustworthy, trained professionals, who are really passionate about fireplace and chimney safety.
Here is the NCSG Code of Ethics:
- To represent myself and my company in a professional manner by providing services, education, and skills that are in compliance with all codes and regulations applicable to the chimney service industry that are in effect in my service area.
- To continually update my knowledge, skills, and techniques as new information evolves within the industry.
- To render my services and represent my company in an honest and fair manner and to refrain from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or making any unfair or deceptive statements, including but not limited to use of the NCSG logo.
- To conduct myself in a decent, respectful, and professional manner when serving in my capacity as a chimney sweep, or when attending a function or event of an organization in the chimney or hearth products industry.
- To comply with the proper usage of the NCSG Trademark as defined in the NCSG Trademark Use Guidelines document.
Choose a Professional Chimney Sweep!
If you are in the Roanoke Valley, you should know that Patriot Chimney is proud to be professional, full-time member chimney sweeps. In addition to the NCSG, our technicians are also certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). So you know you’ll be in great hands.
Fun Fact: My brother and business partner, Matt, was actually nominated this year (2020) to be our region’s representative for the Board of Directors! See his nomination in the NCSG Magazine Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology.
But if you’re not in the Roanoke Valley, you can still find a great NCSG member to work on your chimney. All you have to do is click the button below and it will take you to their search bar. I highly recommend that you also cross-check with the CSIA button below to make sure the companies you hire are CSIA certified NCSG members.