Sweeping October 2016 VOLUME 40 #9
The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology
Math You Should Be Using Every Day Developing a Blue Chip Mindset Safety vs. Performance
Registration Opens September 21!
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Departments President’s Letter 3 Editor’s Letter 5 Coach’s Corner 12 Sweeps Advantage 16 Progressive Perks 18 History Project 19 New Supplier Profile 21 Technical Q&A 22 Nominations: Call for Entries 25 Date and Events 28 New Members 30 Around the Tech Center 34 Classifieds 35 Darwin Award 36
Table of Contents Sweeping October 2016 Volume 40 Issue 9
Features Math You Should Be Using Every Day
Developing a Blue Chip Mindset
6 26 October 2016
Jim Brewer Gas Venting and NFPA 54 (317) 203-0088 x: 3 John Pilger Oil Flue Sizing, Relining or NFPA 31 (317) 203-0088 x: 4 Randy Brooks IRC, NFPA 211 or Customer Communications (317) 203-0088 x: 5 Bart Ogden Stainless Steel Lining, Video Scanning and Narrative Report Writing (317) 203-0088 x: 6
Fred Joy Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves (317) 203-0088 x: 7 Jay Walker Dryer Vents (317) 203-0088 x: 8 Rett Rasmussen Vented and Vent Free Gas Logs and Controls (317) 203-0088 x: 9 Rich Martinez Dryer Vents or Masonry (317) 203-0088 x: * Rich Rua General Sweeping or Relining (317) 203-0088 x: 0
NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chris Prior Masonry Construction and Restoration and Priorfire Fireboxes (317) 203-0088 x: 2
S W E E P I N G
2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365
Frances Kelly Excecutive Director fkelly@ncsg.org Megan McMahon Director of Finance mmcmahon@ncsg.org Debbie Cornelius Membership Development Coordinator dcornelius@ncsg.org Donna Lee Kasmer CSIA Certification Coordinator dkasmer@csia.org Claire Rutledge Program Coordinator crutledge@ncsg.org
October 2016
Darcy Marlett Director of Communications and Marketing dmarlett@ncsg.org Jordan Whitt CSIA Director of Communications and Marketing jwhitt@csia.org Ashley Edridge Director of Education ashley@csia.org Sara Sichting Office Manager ssichting@ncsg.org
COMMITTEE CHAIRS and TASK FORCES 2016 – 2017
2
STAFF
Resources
Region 6 Bob Ferrari (530) 941-5818 bob@flueseason.com
Vice President, Region 5 Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drengler01@gmail.com
Secretary, At Large Director Gregg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net
Treasurer, Region 3 Ron Rust (803) 730-5858 tophatswp@aol.com
At-Large Director Tom Hunkele (515) 249-6337 nopnotchchimney@gmail.com
Region 1 Mike Elliott (508) 987-6348 sootguy@aol.com
At-Large Director Dennis Dobbs (256) 845- 9814 info@fireplaceservicecenter. com
Region 2 Ed Ridgeway (856) 241-7999 masons@chimney-duct.com
To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (317) 203-0088 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question: Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney. Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/ or supersede the information and any recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with firsthand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.
President, At Large Director Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com
Region 4 Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich (765) 966-5084 stuartk@saversystems.com
Bylaws Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drangler01@yahoo.com
Membership Bob Ferrari (530) 221-3331 bob@flueseason.com
Ethics Andy Raycroft (703) 836-7858 andy@rooftopchimneysweeps.con
NFPA 211 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Governance Jay Walker (850) 562-4692 sweepingJ@aol.com
NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Government Affairs Mike Elliot (508) 987-6348 sootguy@aol.com
NFPA 54 Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Technical Advisory Council Michael Segerstrom (908) 253-9190 chimneysweeps@optonline.net
Long Range Planning Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com
Scholarship Committee Greg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net
ADVERTISING RATES for Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology may be obtained by contacting Malisa Minetree at (317) 815-4688 or sweepingads@me.com Layout and design by David Bruce, Red2 Design Bureau NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release. NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publication’s standards. Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. © 2016 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500
I
just noticed the leaves are falling from the trees today. The phones are ringing off the hook. Stress is starting to mount. What our industry has coined “The Busy Season” is upon us. It’s a common topic of conversation live and in chat rooms on the internet. The rant starts like this: I got a call today – Customer: “Yes, I need to have my chimney cleaned, can you get to me this week?” Chimney Sweep: “No, we are booked out over a month” Customer (frustrated): What? How can you do business that way? I can’t wait that long. Chimney Sweep: Well, you should have thought of that before it was cold out. Maybe that last Sweep comment sounded harsh, but that’s the attitude I hear from people telling that story. I used to think that way too. One day I realized, this is the actual conversation that is happening: Customer: “Hello, I want to give you money if you can do service when I need it. In fact, I am usually willing to pay more if you can service it on my schedule. I am like most people, an impulse buyer and a procrastinator. I know its last minute, but hey, when I call the plumber or HVAC guy, they can get to me same day in most cases.” Chimney Sweep: “Look, I am really busy, especially this time of year, I have a ton of work, and also need down time. You should have called sooner, planned better, etc.” Customer: “I heard you are
really good and I really want to use you, but your tone and terms don’t sit well with me. Other service industries and some of your competitors can get to me sooner. Chimney Sweep: “Buyer beware if they can get to you sooner, they must not be that good. Good chimney sweeps are booked for months” Now, that last statement isn’t always true. If you ask any chimney sweep or tradesman who the best is in their area, they will usually say it’s them. The likelihood that you are the only competent chimney sweep in your area is usually highly unlikely. You may have never even met or heard of several companies in your area. Ever run across a really nice concrete crown and assume it was done by a brick mason? Maybe it was a chimney sweep competitor???? So, what do we do about this? We can grow our company. That has certain advantages and pitfalls. Employees can be hard and training is expensive. What if they leave and start their own company? You can reduce your service area. Only stick to the areas that you most commonly service and have good return and good customers. This is a smart move and can increase profit and decrease headaches, window time, and non-billable hours. You can also do probably the smartest thing: raise your prices. Sooty Bob Always talked about this. Simple enough concept, do less, earn more. Honestly, this should reduce your overhead and increase your bottom line. If you are booked out so far on repairs and more and more
President’s
Letter Jeremy Biswell
President
Oportunity Calls are coming in, isn’t it natural to think that you may be a bit underpriced for the services and quality of work you offer? I have this conversation with many sweeps in our industry. One school of thinking is if you have people calling you wanting your company and timing is the issue, not the money, you are leaving tons of money on the table. I tell them to do an experiment and raise their prices 15% for the next month and see where they land. They are booked out a month anyway, so what do you have to lose? You can always reduce your price and go back right where you were. Most that do this experiment are shocked and angry they should have done it sooner.
October 2016
3 S W E E P I N G
Usually I dig deeper into the conversation as well and ask the sweep about their personal finance too. I ask them if they have health insurance and retirement. Do they offer these to their employees as well? How many hours do you put in every week? How’s your personal health? How many vacations do you take a year? Do you even take a vacation every year? Unfortunately, most do not have anything I have spoken of in this paragraph. This should not happen. That sweep works hard and deserves basic needs, time with his family, and down time. So back to the original conversation at hand: timing of service = opportunity. Other service industries deal with it daily and most embrace it. Most HVAC, drain cleaners, plumbers, and many other service companies will get to customers within 24 to 48 hours of the time the appointment is booked. Most of these companies have the newest equipment, nice new trucks, and well dressed, well paid technicians with company retirement plans and health insurance. It is true that good, prompt service costs a bit more. People are willing to pay. Why give it away or disappoint them with long waits? How would you feel if your toilet was broken and overflowing water into your basement? You call the plumber only to get a machine or a slightly overworked owner on the phone. If you get the live person, he talks to you for a moment, reassures you have the best plumber in town, talks to you about certifications, memberships, and years he’s been in business. When you ask him to come out he states that he can’t get to you for 3 to 6 weeks! Remember, besides being a busy chimney sweep business owner, you have a broken toilet and water, maybe sewage, in your basement. Would YOU be happy or would you kindly decline and call the next company?
4 S W E E P I N G
The intent of this letter this month is not to defend thought processes or business practices. It is definitely not to tear them down either. It is simply to get you, the reader and member of this great organization and trade, to think outside the norm. You may notice new, great opportunities you never noticed before.
October 2016
H
appy Halloween Sweeps!
I hope the month of October finds your businesses prosperous and you not too stressed out by it all. As always we have lots of great business writers in this month’s issue. Taylor Hill of Spark Marketer brings you “Math You Should be Using Everyday,” and Coach’s Corner has “Safety vs. Performance.” Finally Darin Bibeau, President of National Chimney brings you the last in his series of business article this month with “Developing a Blue Chip Mindset” (pg. 26)
For a little Halloween fun we asked chimney sweeps on Facebook what the scariest (or just plain weirdest) thing they ever found in a chimney. (Hint: Lots of bats) On a final fun note, check out my new office fish in Around the Tech Center on Page 34.
Editor’s
Letter Darcy Marlett Editor
Cheers,
If you’re feeling a nostalgic I recommend the History Project (pg. 19), this month we’re looking back on when computers were brand new to the industry.
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Taylor Hill
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Spark Marketer Do you know your numbers, where your dollars are going, and whether or not your business is profiting or burning through money like wood at a redneck bonfire? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Measuring just how well your business is doing can be tricky for several reasons. One is that there isn’t one magic formula that will tell you everything you need to know. There are several formulas, each designed to measure different metrics and give you a bird’s eye view, as well as a close-up look at profit and loss. There’s actually a good deal of math involved, which can scare some people. But once you know the most important formulas and what they can tell you about your business, you’ll be able to move forward with more confidence, making better decisions for you and your company. So, what are these magic formulas and what do they measure?
October 2016
Return On Investment (ROI) ROI is probably the most talked about formula in business, and it’s really designed to help you determine what you’re gaining or losing with a specific investment. But the first thing you need to consider is what investments you’d like to measure. What matters most for your business may not be the same as what matters most to another business, and ROI is measured based on what specific aspect of your business strategies you’d like to evaluate. Are you trying to determine whether or not a specific marketing strategy is yielding great results? Are you interested in knowing just how much your company is benefitting from an ad? Determine what you want out of your money and efforts and then calculate the ROI.
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The ROI formula looks like this: (Net Profit from Investment - Cost of Investment/Cost of Investment) x 100 As an example, let’s say you have a budget of $50 for a particular Facebook ad. You run the ad and your net profit from the ad is $100. Let’s plug that into the ROI formula and determine your ROI for that particular marketing strategy.
($100-$50/$50) x 100 = 100% Your ROI on the Facebook ad is 100%, which means you’re profiting, and that’s great.
Cost Per Action (CPA)
S W E E P I N G
By calculating ROAS, you’ll be able to identify how much your advertising spending is actually bringing back to your business, dollar for dollar. Start by figuring out which ads, campaigns, or advertising efforts you want to evaluate. The ROAS formula looks like this:
(Net Revenue from Advertising – Cost Spent on Advertising)/ Cost Spent on Advertising If, for example, you spent a total of $20,000 on advertising efforts and saw $60,000 in revenue as a result, your ROAS is $2.
Now, what if you want to measure the cost of a particular action, for example, how much you’re paying per click with a pay-perclick (PPC) campaign? Can you calculate cost per action or cost per acquisition (CPA)? With the right formula you can.
($60,000 - $20,000)/$20,000 = $2 return on every dollar spent
CPA comes in handy all the time in business, especially if you want to calculate your spend on an AdWords or Facebook ad campaign. These types of campaigns only charge you when your potential customer takes some sort of action, be it clicking your ad, filling out a form, scheduling an appointment, or visiting your website. With the following formula, you can figure out just how much each one of those actions costs your company.
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
CPA Formula = Cost/Conversions or Actions
8
Return On Advertising Spend (ROAS)
Let’s say you spent $1,000 on a new AdWords campaign to get more people to your website. If 100 people visited your website through that campaign, we can plug the numbers into the CPA formula to see what each person’s visit cost you.
$1,000/100 = $10 per person Not bad, if you can convert and retain that customer for life. Now, what about calculating return on total advertising spend?
October 2016
We all know retention is cheaper than attraction, but how do you really calculate how much revenue a single customer brings to your business over their lifetime? Some customers bring more value to your business in a lifetime than others, and with the CLV formula, you can determine just how much value each is bringing. This formula comes in handy when you want to look at different attraction methods and calculate which attraction method is bringing the most valuable customers to your door. If it turns out your most valuable customers are coming from Facebook ads, for example, you may want to direct more of your advertising dollars to Facebook. To calculate this, you’ll first need to figure out the AOV (Average Order Value), PF (Purchase Frequency), and CV (Customer Value). AOV is the number of purchases/services multiplied by the revenue brought in. PF is the average value of services divided by the number of customers requesting the services. CV is the average service value multiplied by PF. Is your head spinning? It’s not as complicated as it seems – stay with me!
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Let’s say you’ve performed 600 services for 400 customers, bringing in a total of $40,000. If we divide 40,000 by 600, we get 66.67, meaning the average cost of services performed was $66.67. This is our AOV. Next, we would need to determine how many services these customers are scheduling on average. This number is determined by dividing the number of services for the allotted time period by the number of customers during this time period. So, we would divide 600 by 400 to get 1.5. This is our PF. Next, we take that AOV number and multiply it by our PF (Average Order Value x Purchase Frequency) or in this case, 66.67 x 1.5 to get $100. This number is our CV or Customer Value in this case. But to determine how much value that customer brings over the course of their relationship with you, you must multiply the CV by the length of time they are a customer of yours.
The CLV formula is: CV x Length of Relationship In this case, if you retained a customer for 5 years, your CLV would be: 100 x 5 = $500 Knowing what your customers will bring in revenue over the lifetime of their relationship with your company is great! But how can you determine whether your customers are staying long enough for you to see that kind of value?
Customer Retention Rate (CRR)
10 S W E E P I N G
Remember, the goal isn’t really to bring hundreds of new people to your business for one service only to have to go back out and look for more. You want to make sure that the level of service and the customer experience you’re providing are so good that the customers you do attract with all of those advertising dollars choose to stay with you. To determine just how good you are at retaining customers and how likely your customers are to remain loyal to you over the years, you need to do just a little more math. Start by narrowing down a time period. Many companies look at things quarterly, so using the beginning and end of a quarter to get your CRR is great. Now that you’ve identified your starting and ending date, see how many
October 2016
customers you had at that start date versus how many you had at the ending date. If, for example, you had 300 customers at the start of the quarter, brought in 30 new customers, but then lost 27 customers, you’re left with 303 customers at the end of the quarter. Now, plug these numbers into the CRR formula, which is:
(# of Customers at the Beginning of the Quarter – New Customers)/Customers at the End of the Quarter x 100 (300-30)/303 x 100 = 89% See, that wasn’t so bad.
Knowing Truly Is Half The Battle Now that you know all of your numbers, you should be able to see where you need to buckle down or make improvements, as well as where you can justify focusing more money or effort. The more you know about your numbers, the easier it is to develop a plan that will help you better manage your company’s money and get you closer to your dreams. So stop running from the numbers and start figuring out what your profits and losses are! Taylor Hill is Co-Founder and Crew Chief for Spark Marketer, a local online marketing company specializing in marketing for service businesses across the US. He loves the chimney industry and is passionate about helping service business owners navigate the Internet oceans filled with sharks and unsavory pirates. @ sparkmarketer, facebook.com/sparkmarketer, @taylorkhill
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O Corner Coach’s Greg Polakow
Safety vs. Performance
12
ne of the most common daily scenarios encountered by chimney technicians throughout America is discovering masonry chimneys with cracked chimney flue liners and/or missing mortar between tiles. It is extremely common that when you walk into a home to sweep and inspect a masonry chimney, you will discover a system that has been damaged by condensation from water to such an extent that the level of performance for which the system was designed is radically compromised.C As we diagnose and document the problem there is an overabundance of evidence to show even the most skeptical homeowner that his masonry fireplace and chimney are seriously flawed. In fact, it is pretty hard to overstate the seriousness of the shoddy condition of the structure that even a cursory examination reveals to the trained eye. In short, most masonry fireplaces and chimneys we find out there in the real world have so many issues we hardly know where to begin as we try to detail the problems for their owners. As we all know, it would be an understatement to say the owners of these appliances are generally stunned by the unwelcome report we reluctantly present to them. They were expecting a jolly version of Dick Van Dyke to show up, sweep their beloved chimney and fireplace, present them with a moderate bill, doff their top hat and depart.
S W E E P I N G
What they get instead is a highly trained chimney technician,
October 2016
who probably knew all of the issues he’d find in their chimney before he even shut off the engine of his truck. They get a technician who knows more about chimneys, how they function, and how to accurately and precisely diagnose the multitude of issues that often adversely affect their ability to function at all. They get people who, if properly trained, understand the physics of house pressures, stack effect, downdrafts, moisture, the many types and uses of mortar, creosote, soot, acids, the characteristics and by-products of a variety of fuels, chimney architecture and design, footings, flashings, drip edges, crowns vs splashes, metals, galvanic corrosion, and a whole lot more. And, as a result, the unsuspecting homeowner may find out more about his chimney and fireplace than he ever could have imagined. So, now, armed with all this data, photos, information, and evaluation of this structure based on solid, scientific knowledge, experience, and understanding, we are faced with a very real quandary. How do we most clearly and accurately present our findings to our unsuspecting customer? And, most importantly, how do we present the multitude of repairs that are probably needed? Because one thing for sure, the thousands of dollars we are indicating he will have to spend are far more than anything he was expecting. Because up to this moment, he thought all his system needed was a sweep.
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It seems to me we have two possible alternatives. 1.) We can, as we often do, talk about the safety of the system, prolonged exposure to heat by combustible framing members, the possibility of fire, the NFPA position on the liner as a unified whole, and try to sell the homeowner on the idea that his system in its current condition is unsuitable and potentially unsafe for use. We generally present these conclusions about the system’s inner without having even conducted a level III inspection. So, we really have no conclusive evidence about what is happening to the framing members near this particular chimney or venting system. Nor, do we really have
14 S W E E P I N G October 2016
any compelling data about house fires caused by faulty chimney liners. So, all we can really do in this situation is trot out NFPA 211 and try to beat our customer into submission with its standards and recommendations. 2.) Or, we can talk about performance and maintenance needs. Addressing performance allows us just as easily to explain why and how the issues we’ve found have a significant deleterious effect on the performance of the whole system. And, we can point out that if the problems we find are not addressed, the performance of that masonry chimney and fireplace and the condition of its very structure will continue to be compromised until it is
irreparable and totally unusable. But, more to the point, we can point out the multitude of performance benefits to fixing it all. We can explain how the fireplace will burn more efficiently and produce emissions that will be decidedly less harmful to the environment. We can explain how it will produce more useful heat, use less fuel, reduce spillage, improve the indoor air quality, and be less drafty and smelly when not in use. And, can easily explain that when we address all these issues it will add to the longevity of the entire system and even to the house itself by curtailing the obvious water entry issue. The nice thing about taking the performance approach
is it focuses on genuine positive benefits rather than possible negative consequences. And, of course, when we attend to the performance issues, we automatically also completely address the safety issues…the best of both worlds.
NEW
Listen, chimneys often present complex issues for many people. But the simpler we can make chimneys and their issues for the customer the better. And selling the benefit of performance over the hazards of possible fires is keeping it pretty simple. It is a common saying that we gather more flies with honey than vinegar. Selling performance is selling positive outcomes, the honey option. And that alone makes it a more acceptable story for your customer. The likelihood of improvement in indoor air quality alone will be a powerful incentive. In the end this option will help you sell more work, make more money; and, most importantly, potentially keep your customers more secure. And when you do that, you have truly fulfilled your duty as a Certified and trained chimney and venting technician. Greg is an industry educator and coach. He served for many years as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Copperfield Chimney Supply. Greg is a member of the CVC Coaching Team. For more information about Greg and how the CVC team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at www.cvccoaching.com Greg can be contacted at greg@cvccoaching.com. Follow Greg on Twitter at Greg-cvccoach@Ttrader108
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“Thanks again for both you and Dan following up with me about the training I received at your facility. Dan and Steve were great teachers and they were both very knowledgeable about the products that you sell. We looked at many different resurfacing products that are out in the market, and I did not find anything that I was excited about until I heard about your product FireGuard. It hands down blows the competition away. The ease of use, corporate technical support and the unbelievable quality of the product itself truly sets it apart form the rest! It is a game changer for our business. Please keep up the good work and I look forward to working with you and your staff for a long time.” Tommy Nelms Sweeps & Ladders
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION call: 800-545-6607 info@firesafeinc.com
October 2016
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www.nationalchimney.com October 2016
M
Progressive
Perks Debbie Cornelius
Membership Development Coordinator
Web Design And Web Marketing Campaigns
arket Hardware, continues as a provider of Website Marketing services for members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. As an NCSG member, your benefits include: • Extensive discounts on all Market Hardware Custom Website packages • Access to Market Hardware library of educational articles • One-month free on any Search Engine Optimization package • Waived setup on any Paid Search or Banner Ad Retargeting Campaign
• Access to library of sample industry Facebook posts and Tweets • Website and Web marketing consultations scheduled upon request • On-month free on any Social Media Management package. The Market Hardware partners are available at 888-381-6925 to discuss how you can take advantage of these benefits.
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18 S W E E P I N G
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October 2016
Call: 800-711-9672 Receive free shipping on your first order
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Sweeping into the Digital Age
History
Project By Darcy Marlett
A
s the Director of Communications and Marketing I spend an incredible amount of time not just on the computer (and smart phone and iPad) but thinking about ways our members use these tools. Recently I overhauled and relaunched the NCSG Manual Library so it could more easily accessed and used out on the job where many techs use tablets and smartphones to service their customers. The next few months I will be working on redesigning NCSG. org so it is also easier for both homeowners and sweeps to use all the tools available there. All this got me thinking about just how far technology has come from its early days in the industry. The article “COMPUTERS & CHIMNEY SWEEPS: Tradition Goes ‘High Tech’” was published in the November 1981 edition of Sweeping Magazine and highlighted three early industry trailblazers in the world of computers.
October 2016
19 S W E E P I N G
New
Members
NEW YORK
NEW JERSEY
TENNESSEE
OHIO
TEXAS
OREGON
Denise Rivera | Elite Chimney Solutions Inc. | Massapequa
Brian Doroshuk | Fire Design | Denville
Jim Pitchford | United States Stove Company | South Pittsburg
Theodore Parker | Chimney Professionals and Masonry Experts LLC | Columbus
Pete Pohlman | Black Velvet Chimney | Mansfield
Jesse Peralta | Chimcare, LLC | Portland
Titan N. Titzman | Country Chimney Sweep | Poth
John S. Overton | Parani Pro Sweep | Emmett
Cody Dietz | Chimney Chief | Briscoe
WASHINGTON
Sharon Lohman | Monroe Contracting & Remodeling Inc. | Rochester MASSACHUSETTS
Marc Marcu | No. 1 Cleaners | Nutley DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Ryan Ward | Ward, Ryan | Washington
VIRGINIA Rodney Barnes | A-1 Chimney Sweep & Dryer Vent Services LLC | Springfield
MISSOURI Robert Dubuque | Robert’s Chimney Service and Repair | Ash Grove
Tyrell Eldred | Custom Hearth | Port Orchard
S W E E P I N G October 2016
REGION
20
REGION
Rick Fredrickson | Capital Chimney Service | Concord
REGION REGION
REGION REGION
NEW HAMPSHIRE
REGION
4 54 5 65 6 6 Shaun McKenna | AEGIS Engineering Services, Inc. | Rockland
REGION
REGION REGION REGION REGION
REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION
1 21424325435365
New Supplier
Profile
Lynn Manufacturing, Inc. 15 Marion Street Lynn, MA 01905 http://www.lynnmfg.com/hearth-2/hearth-replacement-parts/ Lynn Manufacturing, Inc. produces an extensive range of replacement parts for wood and pellet stoves. These replacement parts are OEM quality or better, reasonably priced and are produced in the USA. We Stock baffle boards, blankets, gaskets, and refractory brick for all the major woodstove
brands including: Hearthstone, Osburn, Drolet, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, England’s Stove Works. Additionally, we fabricated foil-backed superwool+ blankets to support our customers who manufacturer chimney liners systems that are UL1777 certified.
The premier chimney cap for keeping smoke out of living spaces. • Vacu-Stack® works with single wall, double wall, triple wall, or masonry. • Solves draft problems related to hills and mountains, tall trees, and tall buildings near the chimney. • Sizes available from 3” to 30”+; custom and oversize available. Air cooled and non-air cooled. Model VSA-TDW for air cooled chimney
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• Standard construction is 100% austenitic stainless steel; also available in other alloys including copper and Type 316 for marine/coal appliances. Improved Consumer Products, Inc. PO Box B Attleboro Falls, MA 02763 (508) 695-7000 Fax: (508) 695-4209
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Although there have been
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100% made in USA October 2016
21 S W E E P I N G
Technical
Q&A
Micheal Segerstrom
NCSG Technical Advisory Chair
Question:
22
From time to time when I document a defect in a chimney system, a code enforcement official will get involved somehow, and say it is "grandfathered". Can a code enforcement official or the AHJ (Authority having jurisdiction) really "grandfather" a chimney construction method, application or installation aspect?
S W E E P I N G October 2016
Answer: Yes. The term "grandfathered" is not used in the codes and standards. The language typically used is retroactive, or retroactivity. The AHJ does have the authority to not enforce retroactivity of a current code. And there are a variety of reasons that the AHJ may decide not to enforce retroactivity. A common scenario could be something like this: we as the chimney service professional perform some level of inspection on the chimney and observe improper chimney clearances to combustibles. We report this to the homeowner, explaining that the chimney and home were originally built this way but it is a concern. We indicate that it is an operation hazard, and that corrective action is necessary. We may recommend relining the flue with a zero clearance liner system. This could be a costly installation, depending on the application. The homeowner, having limited knowledge or education about chimneys and clearances, decides to discuss it with the local building official. At times, the building official will tell the homeowner that it was built that way, and it's grandfathered. And having little or no knowledge of pyrolysis and the drying of wood, the building inspector may go on to assure the homeowner that it's okay, because it's been like that for years and not been a problem for them. Then the homeowner comes back to us and tells us that the building inspector says it's fine and
that it's grandfathered. This is where it can get interesting, complicated, and even frustrating for the chimney service professional. This is where it's also very useful to have company policies and SOPs on how to navigate through these situations. Taking the time to educate both the homeowner and the building official can prove to be difficult, but when done professionally and correctly, can be very rewarding. Building officials, fire officials, construction officials, and other Municipal type inspectors often don't have the education and understanding that we have about codes and standards, as chimney service professionals. It can be their responsibility to know the codes and standards, and at times they can stubbornly defend their knowledge. In other words, they may feel that they know better than us. One useful method to clear these discrepancies up, is to ask the building official for explanation. Let them know that you try to stay on top of all the codes and standards, and any changes relevant to chimneys. Put them in the position where they can be the teacher, and give them an opportunity to educate you. Let them know that you want to work with them to do your job right, and learn from them. Ask for their help, and let them know you want to help in any way you can. With tact, professionalism and a friendly approach, it usually doesn't take long for the building official to see that we
know our stuff. And they will usually appreciate our efforts to cooperate with them. And we may already know that we are right. To grandfather something, or not enforce retroactivity, the installation has to have met the code at the time of its original construction. The house in question was built in the 1950s. Chimney structure clearances to combustibles requirements were in the codes and standards back then. So in this case, the clearance issue cannot be grandfathered, because the chimney didn't meet clearances when the home was built.
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With a little bit of patience and some education, we can usually navigate through these issues with the building officials, which then helps the homeowner have a better understanding of the concerns. Patience with both the building official and the homeowner can be vital. Chimney clearances is just one example that may come up. There are many. If we as chimney service professionals are educated and know the codes and standards in our service area, we can utilize this knowledge when working with code officials. Another example is chimney height. The 3-2-10 rule has been the requirement for chimney height for decades. It's been around since before many of us were born. A common situation where this comes up, is when a flue is being relined. All UL-listed liner manufacturers will require that the chimney meets the 3 2- 10 rule. If the chimney is not tall enough, we have to advise the client that it needs to be raised. The building or construction official may tell the homeowner that height is grandfathered, and the flue can just be relined without raising the height. When installing a UL-listed liner, it actually doesn't matter if the chimney met a height requirement when it was built. Or if it's so old that it was built before chimney height requirements.
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October 2016
S W E E P I N G
Neither matter, because the UL-listed liner manufacturer requires 3-2-10.
not know that UL listed liner manufacturers have these types of requirements.
If we let the building official grandfather it, and go ahead and reline the chimney, we may be putting ourselves, our client or our company in harm's way. Hazardous operation or venting conditions may result from a chimney that is not tall enough. And with some liners, the warranty will automatically be void. And if we connect that liner to an appliance, we may void the warranty on the appliance as well, because the appliance may require a chimney that meets the 3-2-10 rule.
If we are dealing with a known hazard, or a known performance problem, we have to deal with it as such. Even if the AHJ will sign off on it, we may still be on the hook. We are the professionals, expected to know our trade and the requirements. Many of the products we install will have installation instructions that always point right at us. They will start out "to the installer".
Again, this would be an opportunity to work with the building official. It might be a simple remedy. They may
24 S W E E P I N G October 2016
Another valuable tool for dealing with these situations and building officials is to reach out to other chimney service professionals. Talk to them about their policies, experiences, and the approaches they use. Other
chimney service professionals in our service area may have already had similar experiences with certain building officials. One of our best resources in this industry is each other, and when it comes to working with code enforcement officials and the AHJ we often have much to share with and learn from each other.
Call for Nominations: Board of Directors When you serve on the NCSG Board of Directors, you help lead the chimney industry into the future and can develop leadership, management and communications skills that will serve you in your business and personal life. You can make an immediate difference in the chimney service industry by helping to determine the organizations’ strategic plan and annual budget. The new shorter two-year term limits make volunteering easier!
NCSG board members are responsible for: • Attending four board meetings each year: Two of the meetings are held at the CSIA Technology Center in Indianapolis (Spring- typically held for three days, Summer- typically held for two days), the November meeting is usually held online and via teleconference and the fourth is held immediately before the NCSG convention at the host city. Travel and lodging expenses are reimbursed for board members attending, with the exception of the convention meeting only. • Participating in the NCSG members-only and board of directors’ electronic discussion lists. • Welcoming new and reinstated members to the organization via phone calls and email • Connecting members to regional legislation affecting the industry And NCSG board members receive: • Complimentary NCSG National Convention registration for you and your spouse while you serve on the board • Networking opportunities at board meeting which help develop life-long friendships with business associations from across the country
The NCSG Governance Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions: Region 1: 2-year term Represents: Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire
Region 5: 2-year term Represents: Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
At Large Director #1: 2-year term Represents: National Membership
At Large Director #2: 2-year term Represents: National Membership
At Large Supplier Member: 2-year term Represents: Supplier and Dual members nationally
Questions? Jay Walker, NCSG Governance Chair Tallahasseesweep@aol.com 850-562-4692
25 S W E E P I N G October 2016
Developing a Blue Chip Mindset
by Darin Bibeau President, National Chimney
26 S W E E P I N G
W
hen you hear the phrase “Blue Chip”, what comes to mind? For many it’s companies like GE, Intel, Visa, WalMart—you know, the big players. But I’d like for you to consider a way of thinking which might not make your business an international behemoth, but it might help make it more profitable. In a moment, I’ll share a lesson I learned at a seminar on productivity and prioritization. But first imagine this hypothetical exercise: • In front of you is a long table covered by a blue table cloth with various poker chips scattered about. • A few of the chips are blue and the majority are white.
October 2016
• You have 30 seconds to grab as many of the chips as you can. What’s your strategy? 1. You can grab all of the chips closest to you regardless of color. 2. You can grab the easier to spot white chips first. 3. You can grab the fewer blue chips first, because fewer can imply rarer/more valuable. With the lack of information you have, it’s hard to say which strategy is best. But here’s the additional information you didn’t know: the blue chips are worth ten times more than the white chips. Now what’s your strategy?
This is kind of like much of the work we do through the day operating with a limited knowledge base. Without knowing what your priority is, without that having been communicated to you, you may spend a disproportionate amount of time gathering the less valuable chips (and doing less valuable work). The moral: Management needs to communicate what are the most important things to concentrate on. (And no, not everything can be a top priority.) This example also may reflect how we prioritize our day. It may be more satisfying to finish the easier tasks and hold off on the harder ones. We feel like we’re getting things done. But we may be focused on the things which are far less beneficial to the company at large.
Consider the following “Planning, Doing, & Outcomes”: Your Belief Important people are busy. Doing is better than thinking. Thinking isn’t really Working.
Creates Your Behavior And Produces These Results Spend time on “busy Time wasted on lowwork”. importance work. Rush into action. Mistakes are made requiring re-work. Avoid planning. Projects are not efficiently executed.
To have a Blue Chip Mindset, follow these steps: 1. Know where you want to go. 2. Communicate your vision so everyone knows the end goal. 3. Plan how you want to achieve the goal. 4. Do higher priority tasks first. 5. Enjoy the benefits of a well thought-out and well executed plan.
Here’s another example: you have a choice between going after a new customer with lots of sales potential versus visiting with a current customer with whom you have a great relationship. The current, friendly customer is probably a white chip. The new customer who pushes you outside of your comfort zone could very well be your next blue chip customer.
27 S W E E P I N G
The Moral: It’s OK to start off the day by accomplishing a few easy tasks to gain some momentum, but constantly keep in mind what tasks will reap the most benefits.
October 2016
Dates and
Events October 2016
28 S W E E P I N G
October 3-9, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 3-7, 2016 CVC 3-Day Basic Chimney Sweep Training w/ CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Exams CVC - 1-Day Masonry Chimney Diagnosis CVC - 1-Day Factory Built Fireplace Diagnosis Sponsored by Owens Chimney Systems, Inc. Monroe, NC For more information, please call info@cvccoaching.com October 5-6, 2016 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Workshop & Exams CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 7, 2016 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 8, 2016 CSIA Roadshow - Basics of chimney and fireplace inspection - Introduction to gas hearth appliances - Troubleshooting - Dryer exhaust system issues Sponsored by HouseMaster Home Inspections LLC Marriott Providence Downtown - Providence, RI For more information, please call (732) 469-6565 or email joe.cummins@housemaster.com October 10-16, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit
October 2016
www.CSIA.org October 14, 2016 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Best Western Sovereign Hotel - Albany, NY For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 17-23, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 24-30, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 31 – November 6, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
November 2016 November 7-13, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 14-20, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel
For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 21-27, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 28 – December 4, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
November 2016 December 5-11, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
December 12-18, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 19-25, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 26 – January 1, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
THE GUARANTEED SOLUTION TO SMOKING FIREPLACES M E C H A N I C A L
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F I R E P L A C E S
• Protect against downdrafts • Eliminates spillage and CO release due to building depressurization • Auto shut off for fireplace when unsafe • Chimney is closed when the fireplace is not used • The draft is never excessive which saves fuel • Perfect operating conditions eliminate unnecessary emmisions • Freedom to integrate almost any fireplace design • Eliminates the need for glass doors • Enables chimney designs that defy traditonal design rules
For more information, call 800.255.2923 or visit enervex.com
October 2016
S W E E P I N G
CSIA UPDATE October 2016 Report
www.CSIA.org
Making the Most of CSIA.org Referrals (from the CSIA blog) Throughout the year I have had the privilege of speaking to large groups in the industry about important it is for their businesses to participate and engage on social media. These presentations were based on some very foundational concepts that could be applied universally regardless of one’s specific industry.
is a major benefit that comes with CSIA Certification, but you can also log in directly to the CSIA site and see exactly how many times your information has been displayed, how many times someone has clicked on your individual profile, your website, your Facebook page..Etc.. you see where I’m going here.
What really drives me crazy is that there are MANY CSIA Certified professionals who are doing well with social media, but don’t include that information on their CSIA website profiles -- if this is you, then you are seriously missing out on a lot of potential clients!
But, today.. I’m speaking directly to you CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps and CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians out there. If you fall into one of these categories, then you likely (hopefully) know that your name and contact information can be found on the CSIA website by homeowners searching for professionals to come service their home.
In looking at one person’s stats specifically, something really jumped out at me: in addition to the literally thousands of times this person’s info was displayed on the CSIA site, there was something else that jumped out at me: people were TWENTY FIVE TIMES more likely to click on the Facebook link than the actual business website link.
Here are some quick tips to make sure you’re making the most of these referrals:
Here’s how that works ... Once a homeowner types in their zip code and hits “search” all of the CSIA Certified professionals within a 50mile radius are displayed to them. At that point they then have the option to click on individual profiles.. and from there they can click on that sweep’s specific website, Facebook, Twitter site, etc.
If you’ve sat through my social media presentation at the NCSG or HPBA conventions, you already know that 49% of people say Facebook is their #1 influencer of purchases -- so this is pretty huge!
Having your information displayed to homeowners searching the internet
So, as you can see, CSIA can drive A LOT of referrals your way (and these are high-quality referrals from people seriously interested in having some work done) -- but, you have to be ready to take advantage of them. ADVERTISEMENT
Let’s fix that, shall we?
1 ) Login to the CSIA website and make sure your profile information is up-to-date, including social network links. 2) Make sure all your online channels (website, facebook, twitter, etc) are all functioning properly. If you are having trouble logging into the CSIA website or any other issues with this process, please feel free to give us a call at (317) 837-5362 and we’ll get you set up. -Jordan Whitt, CSIA Marketing & Communications Director For more from the CSIA blog visit https://chimneysafety.wordpress.com
October 2016 Report Short on CEUs for re-certification? In addition to in-person classes held throughought the year, CSIA offers dozens of online courses. Find the class you need at csia.org/education.
Sweeps Recertifying Through CEUs California
Missouri
Jeff Craig | Okell’s Fireplace | San Francisco
Steve Epperson | SE Certified Chimney Services | Carrolton
Allen Cummins | Okell’s Fireplace | San Francisco
Eric Newman | Newman’s Chimney Services | Osage Beach
Georgia Chip Carruth | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta
Nebraska Donald Harvey | Lumbermans | Omaha
Gary Hewitt | Elite Fireplace | Collegeville Donald Matthews, Sr. | D & G Chimney Sweeps Tennessee Tommy Nelms | Sweeps & Ladders | Franklin
Christopher Cox | Chimney Solutions |
New Hampshire
Kenneth (Kenny) Robinson | Coopertown Services | Memphis
Alpharetta
Angelo Farrugia | Saf Fire ‘N’ Stone | Tilton
Texas
Maryland Neil Crandall | Chesapeake Chimney Sweeps | Mechanicsville Robert Waid, Jr. | Columbia Chimney Services, Inc. Massachusetts Brian Moniz | Chimney Sweep Professionals | Mattapolsett William Sweet | Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep | Boston Minnesota Victor Skelley | Copperfield Chimney Sweep | Minneapolis
New York
Clint Sanner | Hale’s Chimney Cleaning | McKinney
Robert Cunningham | Cunningham Duct Cleaning | Bayport
Virginia
Oklahoma
Chris Guy Sr. | Blue Ridge Chimney Services | Harrisonburg
Richard Tattershall | C & C Chimney | Skiatook
Blake Hunter | Wooden Sun, Inc. | Charlottesville
Pennsylvania
Leonard Whitfield | Winston’s of Northern Virginia | Fairfax
Marcus Alspaugh | Kegerreis Stoves, Inc. | Bernville
Vermont
Lou Curley | Lou Curley’s Chimney Service | Drexel Hill
Richard Krayewsky | Brickliners | Williston
CSIA Education Roadshow
Excellence in Education. Delivered. To-your-door expertise.
grow your business.
CSIA Education Roadshow allows you to experience the industry standard in chimney sweep education and earn valuable CEUs through in-person courses provided by one of CSIA’s expert instructors at YOUR event.
Including CSIA Roadshow as part of your event will provide you with several opportunities for promoting your company or product, both onsite during the session, as well as through CSIA’s social networks and e-newsletter.
Leverage the CSIA’s network and
Get started. ADVERTISEMENT
Literally anyone who wants to include a CSIA Roadshow session and has access to a suitable location can submit a request. Forr more information on how to bring CSIA education to your event, please contact CSIA Program Coordinator, Claire Rutledge, at (317) 837-5362.
October 2016 Report
Newly Certified Chimney Sweeps Arkansas James McNabb | Godfrey and Black ‘Fireplaces and More’ | Ft. Smith California Josh Cooper | Chimney Doctor | San Luis Obispo Steve Zirnite | Malibu
Steve Smith | Lindemann Chimney | Lake Bluff
Justin Bohrbaugh | Lehman’s | Kidron
Indiana
Jamison Boutell | American Chimney & Masonry | Portland
Abe Fasbinder | Oesterling Chimney Sweep | Batesville Kentucky
Connecticut
Michael Darling | Hearth & Home of Kentucky | Paducah
Kyle Napolitano | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersfield
Ian Reed | Hearth & Home of Kentucky | Paducah
Drew Kingman | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersfield
Ryan Pickwick | All American Chimney Service | Louisville
Julius Skindaras | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersfield
Maryland
Robert Baker | Total Chimney Care | Milford Derek Buerk | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersford Justin Gonzalez | Total Chimney Care | Milford Tracy Winter | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersfield Michael Simard | Safeside Chimney & Duct | Wethersfield Georgia Micah Corbett | Advanced Chimneys | Roswell Ted Henderson | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta David Morris | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta Larry Radford | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta Andy Gatch | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta Idaho John Overton | Parani Pro Sweep | Emmett Illinois Jeremy Florian | Safeway Chimney Sweeps | Frankfort Joe Rudd | Lindemann Chimney | Lake Bluff
Wayne Woolery | Chimney Tek | Pasadena George Sofikitis | Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest | Mount Airy Guy Loudermild | Chesapeake Chimney & Co. | Prince Frederick Michigan David Motoligin | Southeastern Heatmor | Almont Jordan Varty | Southeastern Heatmor | Almont Mike Laylin | Top Hat Chimney Sweep Services | Dowagiac Missouri Joseph Rebello | Archway Clean Sweep | St. Louis Matt Scheidt | Advanced Chimney Techniques | Jamestown
Oregon
Shan Lowry | American Chimney & Masonry | Portland Pennsylvania Richard Soccio | AES Hearthplace | Newville Jillian Stewart | Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps | New Cumberland Laura Campbell | Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps | New Cumberland Zach Sabo | PA Chimney Doctor | Everett South Carolina Michael Lilley | Chim Cheree, The Chimney Specialists | Greer Tennessee Rodney Hall | Ashbusters Chimney Service | Smyrna Justin Sullivan | Ashbusters Chimney Service | Smyrna Michael Amacher | A-1 Chimney Specialist | Estill Springs Alan Tubb | A-1 Chimney Specialist | Estill Springs Josh Berryhill | Coopertown Services | Memphis Texas Beau Kidd | McSweepy’s | Crosby
New Jersey
Kathy Ray | West Texas Chimney and Venting Solutions | Amarillo
Ethan Oeming | Mercer County Chimney Service | Hamilton
Martin Ledesma | Hales Chimney Cleaning | McKinney
John Susnosky | Light My Fire | Fair Lawn
Jonathan Zumeta | Lords Chimney | Houston
New York
Virginia
Robert Raia | Quality Fireplace & Chimney | Port Jefferson Station
Brandon Jenkins | EE Wine/Crystal Clean Duct Service | Manassas
Ohio
Duane Whetzel | EE Wine/Crystal Clean Duct Service | Manassas
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www.CSIA.org Britt Thompson | Alan the Chimney Sweep | Newport
Patrick Nugent | Rooftop Chimney Sweeps | Alexandria
Orchard
Josh Davenport | Cougot’s Chimney Service | Richmond
Nick Swisher | Old Dominion Chimney Liners | Penn Laird
Ryan Ward | Washington, D.C.
Kim Kepchar | Wooden Sun | Charlottesville
Vermont
Cody Haynie | Chimney Saver Solutions | Richmond Jason Jenkins | Olde Town Chimney Sweeps | Gloucester
Newly Certified C-DET North Carolina Drew Rowe | Smoke Alert | Garner Rodney Watson | Smoke Alert | Garner Eric Scofield | Smoke Alert | Garner Michael Windsor | Vent-Tastik | Fort Myers
Russell Cook | Chimney Savers | Randolph Washington Tyrell Eldred | Custom Hearth | Port
Washington, D.C. Wisconsin Austin Pratt | Pratt’s Professional Chimney | Burlington Luke Sanford | Chimney Mechanix | Shawano
Newly Certified MASTER SWEEPS Judd Berg| Judd Berg & Sons Chimney Sweeps | North Eastham, MA MASTER Bo Tasso | Tasso Chimney Sweep & Masonry Repair | Stillman Valley, IL
Interested in becoming a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician? Give us a call at (317) 837-5362!
Contact Us: Mailing Address 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 Telephone (317) 837-5362 Email: Office@CSIA.org Twitter: @Chimney_Safety Facebook: /ChimneySafety
Join your fellow sweeps in the fight against breast cancer! Order your Sweep Away Cancer t-shirts and koozies TODAY at www.sweepawaycancer.com. ADVERTISEMENT
Around the
Tech Center. Frances Kelly
Executive Director
34 S W E E P I N G October 2016
T
hings around the Tech Center are busy as always! On September 1st we launched the new NCSG Manual Library, making over 750 manuals easily accessible to members in the field on their tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Find it at www.ncsgmanuallibrary.org, the password is in the Members Only section of the website or give us a call. We also hosted our final National
Chimney Sweep Training School for 2016. Keep a look out on the CSIA website and social media pages for the 2017 Education Calendar, coming soon. Our marketing department recently got a new officemate, a beta fish named Bartlet. I also spied lots of boxes of trade show giveaways for 2017 that just arrived so you’ll definitely want to visit the NCSG booth at our convention Louisville!
What’s The Scariest Thing You’ve Pulled out of a Chimney?
In honor of Halloween we asked chimney sweeps what was the scariest (… or creepiest, grossest, weirdest) thing they’ve found on the job. Here are a few of the responses: “A live snake on the smoke shelf. (He was in there eating chimney swift chicks) I had a glove on and was feeling around on the smoke shelf for baby birds. Something didn't feel right. I pulled it out and ran cursing across the customer's living room to the back door, snake in hand. It was just a green snake , but I was still shocked...lol...” - Matthew Koldewey, M&J Chimney Service “Oddest still tied with several gold coins and jewelery or bones that at first thought were that of a child. About 30 days later the police said they were monkey bones.” - Victor Imgarten, Clean Sweep Chimney Service “An osprey stuck in the damper, homeowner said they hear shrieking and flapping the day before. Poor thing got hung up and expired, but the kicker, reaching thru the damper to have live bats plop out and take off. Thank heavens it was in his garage shop NOT the house!” - Yvette Aube, AIM Chimney Sweep & Stove Shop “Bones-and they weren't bird bones. They were bagged and tagged for the local police department and turned over to the state lab for identification. We never heard anything so they were probably some large animal that was cremated in the fireplace. Still it was creepy.” - Sue Smart, SmartSweep Chimney Service, Inc.
Classifieds
GasVent Software for Sizing Chimneys only $195 Call 1-800-648-9523 for more info and visit www. elitesoft.com to download a free trial version. HELP WANTED — established family owned company seeking experienced certified chimney sweep. Interested in relocation in the San Diego, CA. area. Good pay plus benefits. Contact: Mike Omara at Weststar Chimney Sweeps 619-993-5537 or email weststar@chimneys.sdcox. mail.com Well established 27-year business in San Antonio, Texas is for sale. Contact aggiechimneysweep@satx.rr.com Certified chimney sweep wanted in Oakland County Michigan. Must have excellent people skills and a positive attitude. Top wages paid plus weekly bonuses for those who give 100% in the field. CJW CHIMNEY 248-681-95-9532 CLASSIFIED ADS FREE FOR NCSG MEMBERS Members can run one 35-word classified free each year! Regular classified ads are $2/word or $1/ word for NCSG members. Classified ads are noncommissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Sara Sichting at ssichting@ncsg.org or 317-837-1500.
“Owl, it was so big it wouldn't fit through the throat damper!” - Nick Hansen, Excel Fireplace & Chimney “Unlined chimney with a safe built in it. You could pull the safe up and down with the man made pulley system.” - James Black, Chimney Pro LLC “Owl with its claws sticking upwards scared the daylights out of me when it grabbed me” - Ken Hoelscher, Abbey Road Chimney Sweep “56 bats.” - Aaron Dennet, Chimney and Stone Specialists “Live buzzard” - Mark Dent, Chesapeake Chimney & Co.
October 2016
35 S W E E P I N G
Darwin
“Customer asked us to inspect her pellet stove insert venting, installed by another local chimney company. She said she didn’t think it looked correct? They did paint the cap and flue tile black to hide the piece
Award
of wood that is supporting the overhanging cap. Go figure!” Dave Nichols Ace of Diamonds Chimney Baltimore, Maryland Have you snapped a photo of a peculiar chimney in your area that made you shake your head in disbelief? Send it to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ ncsg.org. for publication in Sweeping. Or, mail it to NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. Include a few words about the scene and location.
Ad Index A Step In Time
757-754-1388
Ray@ChimneySweep.com
Back Cover
Ahrens Chimney Technique
800-843-4417
ahrenschimney@qwestoffice.net
27
Chim Cap Corp
800-262-9622
www.chimcapcorp.com
25
Copperfield
800-247-3305
www.copperfield.com
5, 9
www.cvccoaching.com 14
CVC Coaching
704-425-0217
ENERVEX
770-587-3238 www.chimneyfans.com
29
Firesafe Industries, Inc.
800-545-6607
www.firesafeinc.com
16
www.gllchimneyproducts.com
23
Gelco™, Lyemance™, and Lock-Top®
36 S W E E P I N G
ICP
508-695-7000 www.chimneycaps.com
21
Lindemann Chimney Company
866-629-8006
www.lindemannsupply.com
11
National Chimney
800-897-8481
www.nationalchimney.com
17
Olympia Chimney Supply
800-569-1425
www.olympiachimney.com
13
Sand Hill Wholesale & Mfg., Inc
800-258-5496
www.sandhillwholesale.com
4
SaverSystems, Inc
800-860-6327
www.saversystems.com
24
Ventech Industries
207-439-0069
info@ventechindustries.com
7
WeatherTite Inc.
800-711-9672
www.weathertiteinc.com
18
Wohler
978-750-9876 www.wohlerusa.com
October 2016
15
NATIONAL A SS
SMOKEYBEAR.COM
ION OF STA IAT TE OC
TERS RES FO
Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires.
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U N D E D 192
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National Chimney Sweep Guild 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168
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