Publishing principles · Updated September 24, 2026

Editorial standards and directory method

Chimney Sweeps HQ separates homeowner education, directory records, illustrative material and professional findings so a reader can see who prepared a page, how it was made and what its evidence can support.

Purpose

HQ exists to help homeowners describe a chimney concern, understand service scope, compare company information and take better questions to an appropriate professional. Content is produced for that task. We do not promise rankings, a word count, a diagnosis or a universal maintenance interval.

Authorship and qualifications

Guides and explainers are published by the Chimney Sweeps HQ Editorial Desk, an organizational author. The author profile states its role and limitations. A page will not claim professional review unless it identifies the reviewer, relevant qualification and reviewed scope.

Source selection and citation

Safety language starts with primary federal resources where available. Industry organizations are labeled as industry sources rather than government regulators. Manufacturer instructions govern named appliances; local authorities govern applicable codes and permits. Page-level source panels state which references set the page's terminology or safety boundary and when links were checked. Sources support the cited scope but do not imply that the source endorses HQ.

How educational pages are prepared

Guides begin with facts a homeowner can safely document: appliance and fuel, timing, visible symptoms, prior work and proposed scope. HQ adds original comparison questions, report fields and appointment checklists. We avoid remote diagnosis, guaranteed results and universal repair claims because the actual appliance, vent, property and local rules matter.

AI and automation disclosure

AI assists drafting, editing, page structure and illustrative imagery. Rule-based templates assemble directory and location fields. AI-generated photographs are labeled and are not evidence of a job, company, worker or property. Current content does not claim licensed professional review unless a named reviewer is displayed. Automation is used to make consistent research tools, not to fabricate first-hand experience, credentials or local facts.

Date and update policy

An update date changes when a page receives a substantive content, source, method or safety revision. Dates are not refreshed merely to make a page appear recent. Source-check dates indicate that links and labels were reviewed at that time; they do not guarantee a third-party page will remain unchanged.

Local and climate language

State and city pages use broad state climate context to suggest questions about rain, snow, wind, heat, salt exposure and freeze-thaw conditions. Those descriptions are planning prompts. They do not establish conditions at a particular address or neighborhood. Generated pages state this limitation and rely on represented directory records for company counts.

Company profile records

Profiles publish available directory fields such as business name, contact information, service area, recorded services, stated credentials and third-party reputation data. A directory record is not an endorsement, certification check, safety finding or availability guarantee.

When supplied, HQ shows a record update date and source-reference count. A source count indicates references exist in the feed; it does not prove every field is current. Readers should verify important claims with the business and original issuer.

Corrections and business responses

Businesses and readers can request correction through the contact and corrections page. Include the page URL, disputed field, proposed correction and supporting source. HQ may request reasonable evidence of authority before changing or removing a company record.

Images, scenarios and case studies

AI-generated images are labeled as illustrations. Fictional scenarios are labeled and exist to model useful questions. HQ does not publish a claimed customer case study without permission, original source material, a dated scope and a clear distinction between documented facts and editorial explanation.

Commercial influence and rankings

Directory order may use profile tier, field completeness and available reputation signals. These signals do not establish workmanship or safety. Paid or sponsored placement must be identified when used. Editorial source selection and safety language are not sold to directory companies.

Safety and accountability

For an active fire, carbon-monoxide alarm or possible exposure, move outside and contact emergency services. For editorial corrections, directory questions or image concerns, email email@chimneysweepshq.com.