Sweeping April 2019 VOLUME 43 #4
The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology
Warrior Horse Takes Off
Live Chat Services & Why Home Service Business Websites Need Them Meet a Member— Matt Blackmon and Billy Stickney Are You Setting Up New Hires For Success Or Failure?
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Departments President’s Letter 3 In Case You Missed It 4 Editor’s Letter 5 Tech Q&A 18 Coach’s Corner 22 Industry Watch 27 Membership Memo 28 Dates and Events 30 New Members 37 Around the Tech Center 38 Classifieds 39 Darwin Award 40
On the Cover: Visitors to the Warrior Horse facility in Frierson, LA pose with Kevin and Theresa Russell and their daughter Carlye Young in front of under construction arena, Jan.25, 2019.
Table of Contents Sweeping April/May 2019 Volume 43 Issue 4
Features
Live Chat Services
Warrior Horse Takes Off
Meet a Member: Matt Blackmon and Billy Stickney
Sweeps Week
6 14 25 32 How can I help you?
April/May 2019
Smoke Chambers and Cast in Place Liner Installation (866) 283-8667 Ext. 706
Factory Built Fireplace Installation and Replacement (866) 283-8667 Ext. 701
Dryer Vents (866) 283-8667 Ext. 707
Gas Appliance Venting, Gas Logs and NFPA 54 (866) 283-8667 Ext. 702 Oil Appliance Venting and NFPA 31 (866) 283-8667 Ext. 703 Chimney Inspection, Documentation and NFPA 211 (Levels of Inspection) (866) 283-8667 Ext. 704
Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves (866) 283-8667 Ext. 708 IRC and NFPA 211 (Code Questions) (866) 283-8667 Ext. 709 Customer Service and Customer Communication (866) 283-8667 Ext. 710 General Sweeping and Repair (866) 283-8667 Ext. 711
NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018-2019
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Masonry Fireplace Construction and Restoration (866) 283-8667 Ext. 700
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STAFF
Resources 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365
Megan McMahon Executive Director mmcmahon@ncsg.org
Penny Seals Program Coordinator pseals@ncsg.org
Darcy Marlett Director of Communications and Marketing dmarlett@ncsg.org
Sara Sichting Systems and Records Coordinator ssichting@ncsg.org
Russell Dimmitt Education Director rdimmitt@ncsg.org
Annemarie Stockton Membership & Outreach Coordinator astockton@ncsg.org
Charissa Benge Mahaffey Office Coordinator cmahaffey@ncsg.org Donna Lee Kasmer CSIA Certification Coordinator dkasmer@csia.org
April/May 2019
COMMITTEE CHAIRS and TASK FORCES 2018 – 2019
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.
Region 6 Bob Ferrari (530) 941-5818 bob@flueseason.com
Vice President, Region 4 Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
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 Jeff Peterson (703) 444-5155 jeff@potomacservices.net
Secretary, Region 1 Matt Mair (603) 525-7905 matt@blackmoosechimney. com
At-Large Director Dennis Dobbs (256)-845-9814 ddobbs@olympiachimney.com
Region 2 Bill Thornton (215) 540-9787 wissahickonvalleysweep@ yahoo.com
Stainless Steel Liner Installation (866) 283-8667 Ext. 705 To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (866) 283-8667 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question:
President, Region 5 Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drengler01@gmail.com
Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich (765) 966-5084 stuartk@saversystems.com
Bylaws Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
NFPA 211 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Ethics Andy Raycroft (703) 836-7858 andy@rooftopchimneysweeps.con
NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Governance Tom Hunkele (641) 774-8056 topnotchchimney@gmail.com
NFPA 54 Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Government Affairs Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
Technical Advisory Council Michael Segerstrom (908) 253-9190 chimneysweeps@optonline.net
International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Scholarship Committee Gregg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net
Membership Bob Ferrari (530) 221-3331 bob@flueseason.com
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. © 2019 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500
S
ome time during the summer of 2018 a jolly buddy of mine by the name of Kevin Russell asked me to fly down to Louisiana in January for the grand opening of Warrior Horse. Instant thoughts of Louisiana versus Wisconsin in January triggered an immediate YES! When I first meet Kevin as a chimney sweep it didn’t take more than a few minutes for him to mention his dream. Honestly at first I kind of shrugged it off but over the next year or so he never stopped talking about it and I could see his passion was real. I finally caught the horse fever and along with many in the industry I wanted to help. So I marked my calendar, booked a plane ticket and was excited to check out Warrior Horse and the New Buck Chimney Services empire. As time went on I started to hear about speakers and suppliers putting together a few days of business training which didn’t excite me much, but I thought whatever I’ll check it out. The speakers knocked it out of the park; some of it was perfect timing for myself personally. Its hard to put it all out there, but after one session I made a bee line to my room and had to call my kids..... (I got the right answer if you where there, and I cried)
So time for the banquet! It was a display of love, honor, pride and patriotism. One after another true heroes took the stage and thanked Kevin for not giving up on his dream. It was an honor to attend, thank you Mr. Russell.
President’s
Letter Jasper Drengler
President
Jasper Drengler NCSG President
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In Case You
Missed
it‌
4 S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
Ready to hit the road for a good cause? Join Sweep Away Cancer for the Elayne Edwards Memorial Ride Friday, June 14th and Saturday, June 15th in North Carolina. Register at: www.sweepawaycancer.com
Join us for Sweeps Week Join us for a fun week of learning, fellowship, and CEUs- for FREE- all while improving the Tech Center. All are welcome! Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/CSIASweepsWeek
Share your testimonial Growing the NCSG community is always a top priority of ours. What better way to welcome new companies to our network than to share stories from members like you? Follow the link to find a few prompts to guide your testimonials. Please feel free to answer as many prompts as you’d like! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCSGtestimonials2018
H
appy Spring Sweeps!
As this issue lands in mailboxes many of us will be traveling to the NCSG National Convention in Norfolk, VA. It’s always exciting to see old friends and meet new friends! In January I had the opportunity to travel to Louisiana to celebrate the Grand Opening of Warrior Horse with other folks from the chimney industry. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with people and join in the celebration of the wonderful work our colleague Kevin Russell has done to make his vision of helping veterans come to fruition. Read more about the work Warrior Horse is doing in this issue.
history of the Guild you will want to check out this month’s Around the Tech Center. This past month the Tech Center was lucky to receive not one but two packages from members containing memorabilia from our Guild’s history.
Editor’s
Letter Darcy Marlett Editor
I hope your spring is off to a great start and that we see you in Virginia! Cheers,
P.S. Check the back cover of the issue and mark your calendars for the 2020 NCSG Convention in Orlando!
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How can I help you?
Live Chat Services & Why Home Service Business Websites Need Them Taylor Hill
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A recent HelpScout blog post puts it this way: “The worst thing for a relationship is to fall short of a customer’s perceived expectations, even if the expectations are not explicitly mentioned in a contract or agreement.” Do you know what your customers expect of you? Is your business adapting to the demands of your customers and meeting their needs?
Understanding What Your Customers Want & Don’t Want While no generation has ever been fond of long hold times, it’s safe to say that we’re all only getting less tolerant of waiting for answers
April/May 2019
and assistance. Today’s customers are looking for convenience and immediacy. They expect seamless communication, instant answers, and a frictionless experience, no matter where and in what way they interact with your business. The expectations are high, that’s for sure. Take a look: • 51% of consumers feel that a business should be available to answer questions and queries 24/7. • 40% of customers are frustrated by the inability to ask simple questions online. • 60% of customers hate waiting for longer than 60 seconds to receive support. Whoa, how can any business provide instant answers, 24/7? Even if you staff people at all hours, you’ll still fall short, because not every one of your customers wants to reach out by phone. In
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Live Chat VS. Chatbots Chatbots have been talked about a lot lately as a way of saving businesses time and allowing them to provide their customers with helpful information, day or night. But the problem with chat bots is that they can only provide answers that they’ve been programmed to provide, and it’s pretty obvious that there’s not a human behind the responses. This can be a problem for a couple of reasons: • 23% of consumers are frustrated by impersonal, characterless online customer services. •If your chat bot fails to provide the information your customer is looking for, they’ll get frustrated and move on, looking for someone who’s better equipped to meet their expectations. That’s where Live Chat comes in. Live Chat is a chat service on your website that’s managed by real humans providing fast, personalized assistance to your customers. And guess what, everyone’s loving Live Chat. Look at these stats: • 60% of Millennials prefer Live Chat over traditional communication channels. • All demographics are comfortable with Live Chat; even one-third of Older Boomers and the Golden Generation use it for customer service.
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• 41% of consumers ages 18 to 46 (Generations X, Y, and Z) prefer online customer service to the telephone.
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• 63% of customers are more likely to return to a website if it offers Live Chat. • 56% of consumers have used Live Chat at least once to ask a question on a company’s website. • 60% of consumers prefer to use Live Chat when they need only basic information on a product or service. • 41% of customers think that a company that offers Live Chat is more trustworthy.
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• Live Chat has a 92% satisfaction score, which is higher than that of all other communication support channels (phone = 88%, email = 85%, Facebook = 84%, and Twitter = 77%).
What Makes Live Chat So Much Better? The top seven reasons today’s customers prefer Live Chat over other methods of communication are: 1. I get my questions answered immediately. 2. I can multitask. 3. It’s the most efficient communication method. 4. I get better information than if I emailed. 5. I don’t like talking on the phone. 6. I can chat while I’m at work. 7. I get better information than if I had called. After conducting a study with over 1000 consumers, Kayako shared that, “Younger consumers particularly love Live Chat for the familiar user experience of talking with friends through messaging apps.” Ok, so Live Chat’s great for customers. But what about businesses, are they really seeing a difference after incorporating Live Chat on their company websites? You bet. 79% of businesses surveyed by Kayako agreed that offering Live Chat has had a positive effect on sales, revenue, and customer loyalty. And, on average, Live Chat is 17-30% cheaper than a phone call, so it’s also a cost-effective way to meet the expectations and needs of your customers.
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Live Chat - When To Do It Yourself No one knows your business like your team does, and naturally, you can provide value in ways that others can’t. For this reason, we have some clients who prefer to manage Live Chat in-house using a program like tawk.to. This free Live Chat program can be integrated on your company website, allowing you to chat directly with your customers when they visit your site. When deciding whether or not to go this route, make sure you consider your resources and availability. If you offer Live Chat support that fails to meet client expectations or leaves them waiting around for answers, you may end up frustrating your customers more than
April/May 2019
helping them. But if you can do it well, do it! What Should You Look For In A Live Chat Service? If managing Live Chat in-house isn’t feasible for you, don’t worry - there are plenty of services out there to choose from. That said, not all Live Chat services are created equal, and when done poorly, it can reflect poorly on your business and be just one more way customers are let down. What makes for a bad Live Chat experience? • Being disconnected during chat • Having to repeat themselves • Support not actually being online when it says they’re available • Pre-chat forms required to initiate chat • Scripted responses that don’t feel human or personalized • Long wait times 84% of consumers have given up on a live chat due to frustration at slow responses or poor replies. So you’ve got to get it right. Luckily, with the right service, it’s possible. When looking for a Live Chat service, make sure they: • Hire individuals who can speak English fluently and naturally • Provide uninterrupted service, 24/7 • Have quick response times • Take the time to familiarize themselves with your brand and customize their scripts and responses to fit with your brand voice There are many different services out there, but be sure to choose a service wisely, as it does directly reflect on your business. We recommend a service like HomeService Chats. They have a 100% response rate and their chat specialists are native English speakers and industry experts who can answer questions accurately and quickly. Their chat support is made up of sales certified professionals who are available 24/7, just like a chatbot would be. Plus, when customers are ready to move forward and speak with your company, they’re forwarded directly to your CSR (Customer Service Representative). What’s even better is that when you sign up, they create a robust company profile to familiarize themselves with your brand and brand voice. That way, when customers interact with Live Chat
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on your website, they have a natural, organic conversation that feels just like one they’d have with your CSR. I actually talked with Hannah B. through the HomeService Chats website Live Chat while doing research for this article, and she was super friendly, super fast, and super helpful. And I have to admit, even though I would have pretty easily found answers to my questions in the content of their website, it was nice having someone reach out and ask if they could be of help. It made me feel good, and we all could use a little more of that in our day.
The Recap We all want things to be easier. That’s not a generational thing, which is why Live Chat isn’t just a nice thing to have
anymore, it’s expected. We have to meet our customers’ expectations if we want them to remain loyal and continue doing business with us, and Live Chat is an effective and affordable way to provide value to your customers and to meet their needs when and where they arise. So look into it! *Sources: Ubisend, Zendesk, WhosOn, and Forrester Taylor Hill and Carter Harkins are the co-founders of Spark Marketer, a Nashville-based digital marketing company that works primarily with service businesses. They’re also the co-hosts of the Blue Collar Proud (BCP) Show, the podcast that’s all about having and living the blue collar dream; coauthors of the book, Blue Collar Proud: 10 Principles for Building a Kickass Business You Love; and co-creators of the award-winning app, Closing Commander™, which helps contractors close more estimates effortlessly. Both
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Warrior Horse Takes Off By Darcy Marlett
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f you’ve been to a chimney sweep convention or event in the past few years you might have heard of an organization called Warrior Horse, and if you’ve met a chimney sweep named Kevin Russell you definitely have. Russell, the owner of New Buck Chimney Services in Frierson, LA has been inspiring people in the chimney industry with his vision for a program to help America’s veterans through equine therapy.
Getting Started Russell was called to start Warrior Horse in 2012 because of the connection he made with his horse Blue, who has since passed from cancer. “When that bond occurred, something magical happened that I wanted to share with the world. After eight years of diligent prayer, I received my calling to provide the program for veterans,” said Russell. He also has a deep connection to the veterans through his family, including his father who is an Air Force veteran and, his daughter who served four years in the Marine Corps, and her husband who is still serving in the Marines.
April/May 2019
Visitors to the Warrior Horse facility in Frierson, LA pose with Kevin and Theresa Russell and their daughter Carlye Young in front of the arena, currently under construction, Jan. 25, 2019. (Sweeping Magazine/Darcy Marlett)
“My father is a veteran, my daughter, her husband is a veteran, and it completely skipped my generation, because I’m a lover, not a fighter. So I couldn’t do what they do, but I did realize the need that they have to undo what they’ve encountered while they were serving. And there doesn’t seem to be enough alternatives out there to drugs or talk therapy. So I knew that working with veterans it would have the impact I wanted to help change lives.”
The Program Warrior Horse is a three-day program that will be conducted in Frierson, Louisiana at no cost to the participating veterans. Once participants arrive for the program, they will spend time in the cabin classroom on-site to learn about horse behaviors, personalities, and what they and the horses have in common.
“They’ll learn how to be safe around horses and how the keep the horse safe around them. And then they’ll learn the techniques needed to work with the horse in the round pen,” said Russell.
to know that they have to be 100% vulnerable when they get here for the program. Because if they’re not, the program will not work for them,” Russell said.
After the classroom work is complete, veterans will be brought into the arena to practice what they’ve just learned and work on their technique with humans before the horses are brought out. Each veteran is paired with a horse specifically for them and their personality. On their website (www.warriorhorse.net) the organization describes this part of the program: “Through a carefully orchestrated sequence, the veteran and the horse will communicate nonverbally, until the point of a breakthrough on the part of both veteran and horse to mutual trust. This unique interaction between the veteran and the horse transforms the veteran’s psyche, relieves deep-seated stress, and produces a catalyst for change within the veteran. The change is profound, and opens the way for the veteran to benefit from continued treatment of PTSD and other challenges.” Veterans can apply either by contacting Warrior Horse directly or by being recommended to the program through the local VA. To qualify, veterans will need documentation of diagnosis of PTSD and previous treatment. “The thing that is most important is that they have
NCSG President Jasper Drengler (center) stands with musician Neal McCoy (right) and Kevin Russell (left) after making the winning bid for an autographed guitar auctioned off to benefit Warrior Horse at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, LA, Jan. 25, 2019. (Indelible Photography/Beverly Nixon)
Kevin Russell explains his vision for Warrior Horse to visitors at the Warriorr Horse headquarter in Frierson, LA, Jan. 25, 2019. (Sweeping Magazine/Darcy Marlett)
In addition to helping veterans adjust to civilian life, the program will be helping horses adapt to new lives. Though the initial horses in the program will be three of Russell’s with the proper personalities Warrior Horse plans on adopting thoroughbreds who are retiring from careers on Louisiana racetracks. The veterans will then be helping the horses get ready for new homes with recreational riders and 4-H participants. In turn, this benefits the continuation of the program, as the sale of the horses to new homes will help to put money back in the program. Russell hopes to welcome the first class of five veterans this summer once the arena is completed. Following their first class, the initial plan is hold a class once every other month. They hope to increase the number of classes held as funding allows.
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Warrior Leadership Conference and Grand Opening Banquet This January the chimney industry came together to celebrate the completion of the Warrior Horse arena and the welcoming of the first class later this year. National Chimney, Lindemann Chimney, and Warrior Horse co-sponsored the Warrior Leadership Conference in Shreveport, Louisiana. This conference gave chimney sweeps from across the country an opportunity to learn from leadership experts from outside our industry. To cap off the event, attendees were invited out to Warrior Horse headquarters to see the facility including the cabin classroom, the arena, and of course the horses. As the final event, Warrior Leadership Conference attendees joined other Warrior Horse supporters at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel for the Grand Opening Ceremonies fundraising banquet. The banquet featured a keynote address from combat veteran Johnny Joey Jones and country star Neil McCoy, a long time Warrior Horse supporter.
Ryan Matthew performs at the Warrior Horse Grand Opening Ceremonies fundraising banquet at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, LA, Jan. 25, 2019. (Indelible Photography/Beverly Nixon)
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Warrior Horse founder Kevin Russell stands with his wife Teresa Russell at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, LA, Jan. 25, 2019. Teresa also serves on the board of directors for Warrior Horse. (Indelible Photography/Beverly Nixon)
When asked how he met Neil McCoy, Russell said, “He was put on my heart 2 years ago as someone I needed to get involved in the program. Through a drummer at church he introduced me to a friend of his that actually started playing base for Neil McCoy. That was Ryan Matthews who is engaged to Neil’s daughter. Neil came into one of the local spots one night when I was there and I paid for his dinner. He came and thanked me and the rest is history. “
The event raised over $60,000 for the program. When asked what his favorite part of the banquet was Russell said, “I just think having all of our colleagues flying in to be a part of it and seeing what they’ve helped to accomplish.” He added, “I believe that the chimney industry is the most influential and heart-felt industry in the world.”
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Question
When do I need to insulate a stainless steel liner?
Answer: There will be times when it’s required, and circumstances where it’s not required, but definitely recommended. Let’s take a look at both. First let’s look at when insulation is required. The first place to always start, is the requirements from the liner manufacturer. Most will only have insulation requirements in certain circumstances, for solid fuel burning applications. The language will vary, but insulation as a requirement will typically be specified when chimney structure exterior airspace clearances are not met. If airspace clearances are not maintained, insulation will be required to provide zero clearance from the chimney exterior as per the UL listing. Some liner manufacturers will also state, “if chimney structure airspace clearances to combustibles cannot be confirmed, insulation is required”. Since relining a flue is a circumstance for performing a level 2 inspection, it’s likely we will have been able to confirm if clearances are met in certain areas during that inspection. But as we can see, if we can’t confirm clearances, insulation could still be required.
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The next place to look for insulation requirements and equally important, is appliance manufacturers installation instructions and specifications. There are certain appliances that will require fully insulating the stainless steel liner. Certain modern solid fuel appliances may, and there are high efficiency gas and oil appliances
April/May 2019
that do specify insulating in certain applications. It’s always important to check these appliance manufacturer requirements.
Inside a bag of insulation
Another important factor in determining when insulation is required, is state and local code requirements. There are states, and certain jurisdictions within states that will require insulating metal liners (including stainless steel) in all exterior chimney regardless of fuel. For this reason, it’s important to know and keep up on current local and state codes and requirements. Even when insulation it’s not required, it should still be considered in many different applications. Insulating a liner keeps the flue gases warmer. This may help with a variety of things including but not limited to reducing soot and creosote buildup, reducing corrosive flue-gas condensation and in some cases, improving draft. Many appliance and liner
manufacturers will recommend insulation for these reasons. Now let’s look at the different types of insulation. One of the oldest methods of insulation used is to backfill the liner with a field mixed and poured insulation. When required, a 1” thickness of this insulation is necessary between the stainless steel liner and the chimney interior. The next method is to wrap the liner with a foil faced insulation, and secure it to the liner with a wire mesh system. A single layer of half inch wrap or two layers of quarter inch wrap will be necessary when required to provide zero clearance. A single layer of 1/4” wrap can be beneficial with gas and oil venting, but would only be used in wood burning applications if reducing chimney clearances wasn’t necessary.
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A more modern method of stainless steel liner insulation that is gaining popularity is preinsulated chimney liner. This consists of the inner stainless steel liner, a layer of ceramic blanket insulation, then an outer layer of flexible stainless steel or aluminum pipe, constructed like chimney liner. This method can increase efficiency on the job, as it comes pre-insulated from the manufacturer. Pre-insulated liner is typically available in standard kits or custom lengths, and liner couplers are also available for connecting insulated liner lengths. There’s also one brand of pre-insulated type chimney liner, that incorporates an air space between two layers of stainless steel pipe. When properly installed, this model also provides a zero clearance installation. This liner system is available in different lengths, is not available
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in custom lengths, and requires connecting lengths in the field. The last method of liner insulation to look at is somewhat
rare. There is at least one brand of stainless steel liner that utilizes a 1” air space between the outside of the pipe and the chimney interior, to achieve
the zero clearance installation. While it can be difficult to maintain that 1” airspace clearance, there are centering systems for this purpose. In conclusion, there are different methods of insulating stainless steel liners, applications where insulation will be required and other circumstances where it is not required, but definitely recommended. Knowing and understanding the requirements of the liners we install, the requirements of the appliances we connect them to and the code requirements will all help us determine when insulation is required.
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April/May 2019
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Coach’s
Corner Jerry Isenhour
Are You Setting Up New Hires For Success Or Failure?
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Y
ou’ve hired a new guy or a new gal, maybe it’s for a service tech, office team, or a salesperson position. Maybe even a couple of new members for your team. You have probably searched high and wide and now you have located (you hope) the perfect person (s). Now is the time that you set the course to move them to a position of success in their new position. Certainly, you do not want to lead them into a position of failure.
and mindsets will assist you in molding and leading them to success.
Have you constructed the curriculum to follow, or perhaps we should call it a strategy for success? On their start date you need to be prepared for this strategy. The following are steps that can make this transition to a new member of your team be a success.
Next step, do you have an effective onboarding process for that first day? This is a very important part of the process of launching the new hire into the start of a path to success. Brandi Biswell has presented several webinars and podcasts on how to do the proper onboarding and what is covered. The onboarding process will take some time, but in the onboarding the company rules, regulations and processes are covered, even if you may have done this in the interview process. The person doing the onboarding must be trained and have the proper system if you want a successful new hire.
Hopefully in the interview process you have assessed the behavior, mechanical, math and communication skills of the new hire, this will assist you in providing a strategy that will work for the new hire, additionally you must understand the thought processes of the new hire based on their generation that may be different from yours. There are any number of testing processes to utilize, my goto is the DISC assessment. It is often difficult for a baby boomer to understand the Millennial or Generation Z thought processes and ways of thinking. As you move forward it is imperative that you fully understand how the new hire is best communicated with. Understanding of the different generations, communication styles, parenting, schooling
April/May 2019
Likely you already have other members of the team, they also need to understand the process of welcoming a new team member aboard. They need to extend their hand to the new person, welcoming them aboard and show a great culture to the new team member. Work with your team members on how they indoctrinate a new person onto the team roster.
Next step is your training process, this is where you also need a dedicated training curriculum for each position in your company. What do you want them to learn and when do you want this done? As the leader set the benchmarks, measure to the benchmarks and hold them accountable to the benchmarks. Develop this to take this person you have hired to the position of success. Often the language of chimneys, fireplaces and venting is not understood,
23 S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
they will hear words and terms that are foreign to them and as such part of the initial training should be to learn the language of chimneys. Without this training in the vocabulary used every day, the new hire may well be lost. As you have them shadow your present work force, are you placing them with team members that are bought into the process, that understand the key role they pay in development of the basic and they advanced skills the new hire will undertake to conquer? Do they understand how to effectively train and work with these new team members? A important part of building the new team member to success is in the implementation of the Stay Interview as was developed by Brandi and explained in one of her recent webinars that was released on the NCSG eNewslink, if you did not hear this then definitely take the time to do it, it just may be the missing link in the system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiBlx-lKYUc To ensure success, develop your training curriculum. What are the subject matters you want them to conquer and operate at the
24 S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
highest-level in? In today’s world, you now have tremendous on-line resources that can be fitted into their schedule on demand. There is no longer a need to wait until a training course is scheduled to have them attend needed classes, they are often available 24/7 on-demand. But you also must have a process of tracking and measuring their learning accomplishments. This is done through the debriefing and quizzes you develop for them. Again much of this can now be accessed on line, but it is imperative that you develop your strategy and curriculum of how tracking and measuring success with your new hires. You put forth a lot of time and effort to find new team members, now that you found them, develop your strategy to make them successful in their new roles. It’s how you are going to build solid rock star members for your team. Build your strategy, build your curriculum, build your team and build your profits. In order to reach the dream, many times it requires building the team! Jerry Isenhour is an industry consultant, educator and coach who authors a monthly article in Sweeping as a service to the industry. A Past President of NCSG & CSIA along with serving in several volunteer industry positions over his career. For more information about Jerry and how his team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at his web site www.cvcsuccessgroup. com He can be contacted at jerry@ cvcsuccessgroup.com or by phone at (704) 425-0217. You can also obtain great business tips from his Facebook page CVC Coaching and YouTube channel CVC Coaching.
Meet A
Member Matt Blackmon and Billy Stickney This month, we are excited to introduce you to Matt Blackmon and Billy Stickney of Patriot Chimney Service, LLC out of Blue Ridge, VA. They discuss how they got started with their business and how they are helping fellow veterans and service members transition into our industry. How did you get started in the industry? Matt: I was in college and needed a part time job and came across the opportunity to join the chimney industry. I met my mentor and friend John B. and found the first “job” since being medically retired from the Marine Corps that I truly enjoyed. I quit school, went full time and the rest is history. Billy: As for me, I knew Matt from the Corps and I was a sheriff when I decided to part ways with it and try my luck in this field. Matt convinced me to come aboard, that it was good work and very rewarding. I was utterly surprised at how much I grew to love it. We wanted to contribute to the industry, knew we could do it better, raise awareness, give back to the community and ultimately give back to our veterans; so we ventured off on our own. What do you like to do outside of work? Both: We do a lot of hunting and fishing. We also have been trying to work with the DOD and Department of VA to set up a transition program for service members and veterans interested in this line of work... “Combat Boots 2 Top Hats”
April/May 2019
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Can you tell us a little bit more about that? Matt: I was wounded in Afghanistan where I received the Purple Heart and was also awarded for valor. Billy was shot overseas and received many awards for his service. When I was medically retired from the Marines I fell on hard times and struggled like many combat veterans do. We were always searching for that “thing” that gave us pride and something we enjoyed with a sense of purpose. So along came the chimney industry and the independence of ownership of a company. It’s good, hard, rewarding work that keeps you busy and for people like us it’s what we need. We always heard the statistic of 22 veterans taking their lives a day. Rarely is it from the actual trauma experienced, but instead the sense of worthlessness and not having an actual purpose. The military helps you when getting out with what path to take but doesn’t really help you get there; when you separate it’s up to you to figure it out. So with all that said, we wanted to do our part and try to combat the statistics and help veterans either start their own company or have it lead to a valuable career within the industry. Along came Combat Boots 2 Top Hats. The objective behind it is to have either transitioning service members or already separated vets attend the CSIA training school and when completed have hands on training with a certified sweep in their home town or near by to learn even more. This will keep them busy so they don’t dwell on the “loss” of that brotherhood they had for years and will lead to them being employable or having the tools to carve their own path in this line of work. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Both: Learn as much as you possibly can and that building an empire will take a lot of your time. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Both: It would have to be removing dead animals. There isn’t much of a strategy behind it besides just sucking it up and doing it.
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Who was your most famous customer? Both: We had a customer with a lake house nearby that played in the NBA. What is your proudest accomplishment? Both: Being the most certified company in our region and being voted top chimney service company in our region as well. What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? Both: The technical help available. Running across situations that you’re either confused about or never experienced and having an expertise help you a bunch has been the most valuable part to me Know of someone who should be the next Meet a Member? Nominate them (or yourself) to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org or (317) 837-1500!
April/May 2019
Industry
Watch Sand Hill Wholesale Announces the Retirement of Dave DeBolt COLUMBUS—Sand Hill Wholesale announces the retirement of Dave DeBolt, their General Manager, on March 29, 2019. Dave joined Sand Hill in December, 2005 with a past work history in the hearth industry. He has overseen the day to day operations of Sand Hill, along with all marketing and trade show aspects of the company. He has been an outstanding leader and valuable, dedicated, and hard working employee. Dave
enthusiastically looks forward to retirement as he plans to build a new house on property that he has recently purchased and plans to spend a lot of time with his grandkids. Best wishes for this next chapter of your life, Dave. Enjoy it to the fullest! ###
27 S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
Membership
Memo
By Annemarie Stockton Membership & Outreach Coordinator
Why did you join the NCSG? And why do you stay? “I joined over 25 years ago because of all of the things that the NCSG does for raising the bar of the Chimney & Venting industry and their voice on the NFPA 211 code committee. The Guild’s actions make the industry better for all.” Chuck Roydhouse Clean Sweep Anne Arundel Chimney Repair & Maintenance Millersville, Maryland “I joined to add legitimacy to my offerings to my clients and I stay because I belong to something larger. Being a part of a community of sweeps and chimney inspectors of all company shapes and sizes grants me access to education I cannot find elsewhere. Thanks for all you do as a Guild!” Daniel Freeman The Chimney Doctor, Ltd. Grand Junction, CO “I came for the discounts and education, and I stayed to soak up all the knowledge from those with the experience so I don’t have to learn every lesson the hard way. Best business investment ever!” Jasper Drengler Chimney Mechanix Shawano, Wisconsin
What did you discover as a result of membership with NCSG?
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What’s the Buzz?
April/May 2019
“A nice surprise has been some lasting friendships forged with fellow members. Even among competitors - there is a special bond in the sweeping industry. I feel fortunate to have met some of the finest people through the Guild.” Steve Hoover Lucky Sweep Chimney Services & Sales LLC Lake of the Ozarks, MO
“Being a Canadian Chimney Sweep, there are few opportunities to interact with others in the field. For me, being a member of the Guild and attending the NCSG Convention in Kentucky gave me the gift of CSIA. At the Convention I not only enjoyed every moment of the learning experience and priceless interaction with other professionals like myself - I discovered that CSIA Certifies Canadians! My journey and my goal is to share this information with as many of my fellow Canadians as possible. Thank You NCSG!” Ian Myers Myers Chimney Minden, Ontario Canada What do you enjoy most with your NCSG Membership? “I enjoy learning and improving techniques and problem solving. Most enjoyed is how most of us share the same goals and challenges.” Debra Catura Jack Pixley Sweeps, Inc. Spring Lake Park, MN “What I enjoy most about it is the other folks in the group sharing so much knowledge openly and really caring about their fellow human being and making a difference in someone’s life. Join this group. You will not be disappointed with the knowledge you will get from the members.” Steven T. Scally Fireside Sweeps LLC Fremont NH “As a foreigner, we respect and accept the NCSG and the CSIA as our best training facilities. Since we have been members, we have been treated like family in a country that is not our own, we receive as much training as we want without being treated like a foreigner. You guys and gals are our family and our friends and we love coming down there and spending time with you. The training is exceptional, the camaraderie is exceptional and everything about you people is great. It shows that we are friends even though a border separates us. We will always be members of your Guild and we’ll share our experiences with as many people as possible. You guys rock!” Yvette Aube AIM Chimney Sweep Midland, Ontario Canada
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Dates and
Events April 2019
April 1-30 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Online & Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org or ProctorU eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel April 12-24, 2019 CSIA (Online Education) NO ONLINE EXAMS – DUE TO NCSG CONVENTION April 15-21, 2019 CSIA (Online Education) NO ONLINE CLASSES – DUE TO NCSG CONVENTION April 17, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA (NCSG Convention) Must be registered by April 2, 2019 For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org April 16, 2019 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Review & Exams Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA (NCSG Convention) Must be registered by April 2, 2019
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For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
S W E E P I N G
April 16, 2019 NCSG Board of Directors Meeting Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA (NCSG Convention) For more information, please call (317) 837-1500 or visit http://www.ncsgconvention.org April 16, 2019 CSIA Board of Directors Meeting Waterside Marriott – Norfolk, VA (NCSG Convention) For more information, please call (317) 837-1500 or visit http://www.ncsgconvention.org
April/May 2019
April 17-20, 2019 NCSG Annual Convention Waterside Marriott – Norfolk, VA For more information, please call (317) 837-1500 or visit http://www.ncsgconvention.org April 22-28, 2019 CSIA (Online Education) NO ONLINE CLASSES – DUE TO NCSG CONVENTION May 1-31 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Online & Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org or ProctorU eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning
May 2019 Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel May 3-5, 2019 Charity Workshop Sponsored by PA Guild Camp 93 For more information, please call (215) 540-9787 or PA Guild May 6-8, 2019 NCSG Board of Directors Meeting Technology Center Plainfield, IN May 8-10, 2019 CSIA Board of Directors Meeting Technology Center Plainfield, IN May 13-18, 2019 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
May 17, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Scranton, PA For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
June 2018
July 2019 July 1-31 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Online & Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org or ProctorU
June 1-30 CSIA (online)
eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning
CCS Online Review - www.csia.org
Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics
CDET Online Review - www.csia.org
Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel
Online & Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org or ProctorU eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel
July 22-27, 2019 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
June 3-7, 2019 Installing & Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances w/ NFI Exam CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org June 10-15, 2019 Sweeps Week’s CSIA Technology Center For more information, visit the Sweeps Week Page on Facebook CSIASweepsWeek June 17, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center
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For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
Join Us For Sweeps Week!
Energy-SavingDampers Energy-Saving Setting The Standard For
Quality & Durability!
If you’ve never attended a Sweeps Week at the CSIA Technology Center in Plainfield, IN you’re missing out. Sweeps Week is a chance for chimney sweeps from across the country to gather at the Tech Center for a week of fellowship and volunteering to improve our facility. The event is free for all participants and CEUs are granted. This year’s event will be held June 10 – 15 and we will be beginning construction on the CSIA’s new training chimney. This structure will help instruct generations of new chimney sweep students at the Tech Center. Join us for a fun week of learning, fellowship, and of course great food! Learn more at: www.facebook.com/CSIASweepsWeek
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Superior Design • Permanent Cast-Aluminum Construction • Easily Mounts Atop a Flue Tile • Silicone Rubber Prevents Energy Loss • Easy Opening with Power-level Assist • Less Fraying Due to Larger Diameter Cables • Low Profile to Maintain the Authentic Look of the Chimney
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April/May 2019
CSIA UPDATE April/May 2019
Checking In with Chuck by Chuck Hall, CSIA President president@csia.org
Has it been 2 years already? Wow. We’ve been through some changes with the staff, weathered a few storms, made some policy changes while running downhill with scissors the whole way (that’s how it felt at times). I remember the convention in Louisville like it was yesterday. We were still in planning stages with the new manual and it was the last convention we spent with Frances Kelly our previous Executive Director. Now we have a new Executive Director, Megan McMahon, who has turned out to be a blessing, a fantastic leader and has hired several new staff members who are doing a fantastic job for us. The manual is in the final stages of completion but not ready for prime time yet. We have seen the retirement of one of the industry’s most iconic figures Ashley Eldridge, and we were tasked with finding his replacement. Those of us there at the time could tell you, we were wringing our hands
www.CSIA.org
wondering how we were going to find someone to fill the big shoes of Ashley. Luckily for us the timing was perfect and Russ Dimmitt was ready for a change and agreed to take on the challenge of this position. He has already overhauled most of our online courses, some of our other educational offerings and is in the process of re- writing the Chimney Sweep Training School. He will also be tasked to debut the new manual, re-write the test and train the trainers. We are truly blessed to have Russ on our team. We also entered into a partnership with the Surefire online education platform which stirred up all kinds of hornets nests but has turned out to be a very positive relationship. We changed our stance on the relationship with the Certified Chimney Professional certification; and enrolled 37 attendees into our CCS review and exam at the CCP EXPO. Hopefully in the future we will see additional opportunities to partner with CCP and make inroads with those sweeps that we have been unable to convert. We continue to look for ways to honor those older members who have worked so hard to start our founding organizations while trying to encourage, teach and support the younger members of our industry. I am a firm believer that our industry must ADVERTISEMENT
continue to teach our company owners how to turn a profit and achieve a life/work balance while learning how to plan and execute the transition into retirement. Recently we have shifted some of our training dollars towards an area that in the past we linked to the homeowner; safety. The CSIA is now providing classes in safety to protect the chimney professionals in our industry. I believe it was a long time coming but we are finally making a shift in the mindsets of the sweeps towards a more safety conscience work environment; baby steps at first, but more to come. I will tell you that I am very proud of the things we were able to accomplish and overcome these past two years. I am sure the new leadership that will be voted into office at the convention will follow along with the positive changes we have made and will probably make less mistakes than I did, but that’s how I learn the best; by making mistakes. So I say thank you for the opportunity to lead this wonderful group of directors for the past two years and help shape the education of this great industry. Chuck Hall President, CSIA
April/May 2019
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Raul Urbano Lindemann Chimney Lake Bluff
Maryland Brennan Harris All Pro Chimney Service Silver Springs
Tyler Bush Lindemann Chimney Lake Bluff
Kenny Morales All Pro Chimney Service Silver Springs
Julian Gonzalez Lindemann Chimney Lake Bluff
Andrew Warde Chimney Scope Columbia
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Massachusetts James Savarino Sweepnman, Inc. North Reading Roger Potter-Furey Sweepnman, Inc. North Reading Michael Wadman Sweepnman, Inc. North Reading Samuel Nieves Dave’s Chimney Service Methuen Michigan Matt Buswell Smokestack Masonry, LLC Lancaster Zachary Huff Smokestack Sweep Howell Kevin Nortier Tim’s Chimney Sweep of Saginaw Saginaw Minnesota Bodine Turner Chimney Doctors Apple Valley Dan Smart Smart Choice Chimney Service Savage Jess Stern Cascade Maintenance Services Lutsen
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New Hampshire Devin Martin-Dangelo Gilmartin Chimney & Vent Epping
Oklahoma Kyle Jones Inside and Out Chimney Services Broken Bow
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Alabama Jonathan Westbrook Top Hat Chimney Sweeps Auburn Florida Matthew Kramer Healthy Home Dryer Vent Specialists Jupiter Minnesota Aaron Francois Black Goose Chimney & Duct Duluth Missouri Kameron Duvall Advanced Chimney Techniques Jamestown, MO Ohio Wayne Staszel Sooty’s Chimney Sweep Montpelier Vermont Jay Lambert Vermont Dryer Duct Milton
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April/May 2019
2019 Course Calendar www.csia.org
The Next Level: Advanced Education
Get Certified or Renew Your Badge
National Chimney Sweep Training School
Inspection & Report Writing
CSIA Tech Center | Mar 25-26, Aug 5-6 Enhance your inspections and improve your service with better reporting for your customers by learning the latest industry practices.
CSIA Technology Center May 13-18, Jul 22-27, Aug 19-24, and Sep 16-21. Get certified through the only hands-on training of it’s kind. Classroom, lab, and field instruction over six days from the nation’s best instructors.
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Chimney Physics
Certified Chimney Sweep® Review and Exam
CSIA Tech Center | Mar 27-28, Aug 7-8 Learn the science of home venting and how the home works as a system of moving parts and air to influence home heating and venting system success.
CSIA Tech Center | Jun 17, Aug 9, Oct 4 Waukegan, IL | Mar 19 sponsor: Lindemann Norfolk, VA | Apr 16 at NCSG Convention Scranton, PA | May 17 Richmond, VA | Aug 16 Albany, NY | Sep 13 Atlantic City, NJ | Oct 4 In-person review to prepare a technician for the certification exam. Earn or renew your credential. Prefer a different date/time? Partner with a sponsor or host a Review/Exam
Masonry and Gas Courses
Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances
Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®
CSIA Technology Center | Oct 2-3 Norfolk, VA | Apr 16 1-Day Review and Exam Great add-on service for chimney companies or standalone company. Make a Mint with Dryer Lint.
Safety Training Roof Access and Safety
Location: Bell Buckle, TN | June 26-27 Learn how to safely setup fall protection systems before you leave the ground. Learn how to safely access roofs of any pitch.
CERTIFIED
DRYER EXHAUST
TECHNICIAN
CSIA Tech Center | Jun 3-7 5-Day course covers service and installation, appliance standards, combustion requirements, pipe sizing and installation, troubleshooting, carbon monoxide testing and fuel conversion. Concludes with the NFI Gas Certification exam.
Masonry Repair for Chimney Technicians
Richmond, IN (SaverSystems) Aug 5-6 Intensive 2-day class combining classroom theory and hands-on projects. Learn brick and mortar basics, and all aspects of chimney repairs.
Advanced Masonry Repair
Richmond, IN (SaverSystems) Aug 7-9 3-Day Follow-up to Masonry Repair Course with more hands-on advanced instruction.
Sweeps Week CSIA Tech Center | June 10-15 Join us for a fun week of learning, fellowship, and CEUs - for FREE - all while improving the Tech Center. All are welcome, regardless of affiliation.
Learn anywhere: www.csia.org/ elearning
National Chimney Safety Week Nationwide | Sep 29-Oct 5 The industry’s national awareness week. Help raise awareness of chimney and venting safety to homeowners in your area. www.chimneysafetyweek.org
National
CHIMNEY SAFETY Week 2019
All dates and times subject to change. Visit csia.org for CEU information for each course. Confirm dates when registering for courses.
(317) 837-5362 Office@CSIA.org Twitter: @Chimney_Safety Facebook: /ChimneySafety Instagram: chimney_safety ADVERTISEMENT
New
Members
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WISCONSIN All 4 Seasons Professional Chimney Services LLC • Denise Mason • Lake Geneva
ILLINOIS Chimney Paramedics LLC • David Hamm • Pekin OHIO A&A Chimney Sweeps • Luis Solorzano • Cincinnati Sooty Myke’s Chimney Cleaning & Repair • Myke Mermelstein • Munroe Falls
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PENNSYLVANIA Just Chimney Service, Inc. • Edmond Pires • Collegeville
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VIRGINIA Edwards & Sons, Inc • Megan Edwards • Port Republic
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FLORIDA EZ Chimney Cleaning • Michael Roland • Tallahassee
NEW JERSEY Home Detective Home Inspections LLC • Richard Dentroux • Toms River Thoren Chimney Cleaning and Repair, Inc. • Donald Thoren • Andover
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MASSACHUSETTS Safe Chimneys, Inc. • Dave Kent • Newton
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MARYLAND McDowell’s Complete Chimney Service, Inc. • Wayne McDowell • Baltimore
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NEW YORK America’s Choice Maintenance Inc. • Lawrence Stuart • Farmingdale
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1 1 2 2 2 3 343 2 3 4 45 5 56 6 6 5 6
WASHINGTON Cryton Enterprises, LLC dba Strait Comfort Systems • Richard Fife • Port Angeles
TEXAS The Chimney Guy • Robert Woods • Seven Points Waco Chimney Sweep • Patrick Linstrom • Woodway
April/May 2019
37 S W E E P I N G
Around the
Tech Center. Megan McMahon
Executive Director
38 S W E E P I N G April/May 2019
What an exciting month for the history of the National Chimney Sweep Guild! On the same EXACT day, we received TWO packages of memorabilia and documents from previous National Chimney Sweep Guild members! Mary Ann and Gary Beaufait were so gracious to send us all their belongings from their past participation with the Guild, which included several Lucky Dale dolls, Gary’s President Award from 1985, Mary Ann’s National Chimney Sweep Guild board resolution and so much more!
We also received tons of old Sweeping magazines, membership directories, letters and articles sent to us by Hope Stevenson from Jerry Marx’s collection to add to our library! Thank you BOTH! We cannot wait to add the articles to the archives and put some items on display at the Tech Center.
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. Work for a Growing Company! Chimney Solutions, based in Atlanta, GA, is looking for Salespeople and Installers with the desire to move up within our company. A $1000-$2000 signing bonus is available, depending on certifications. Pay will be commensurate with experience. Relocation is available for the individual that meets our needs and qualifications. Send resumes to dpace@chimneysolutions.com or visit our website at www.chimneysolutions.com. Experienced Sweep Wanted Looking for a certified sweep to join our team. 40 year old, family owned chimney sweeping company located near Sacramento, CA. Signing bonus available Competitive salary/ commission Mmedical & vacation Available Full Time position Please email resumes to Amie Ryan- amie@ryan-brothers.com 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 non-commissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Charissa Mahaffey at cmahaffey@ncsg.org or 317-8371500. 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.
39 S W E E P I N G
April/May 2019
Darwin
Award “This was a chimney we ran across last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The homeowner covered the entire crown last year with tubes of silicone caulk in the rain and pushed the cap down on top of the liner to fix it—said it was leaking bad. The repair didn’t hold up real well over the winter.” Steven Cody from The Chimney Pros in Woodbury, MN See a chimney in your area that had you scratching your head? Send it to the editor, Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org for publication in Sweeping. Include a few words about the scene and location.
Ad Index 40 S W E E P I N G
Approved Industries 866-439-0069 info@approvedindustries.com 13 Chim Cap Corp 800-262-9622 info@chimcapcorp.com 24 Copperfield 800-247-3305 www.copperfield.com 7 CVC 704-425-0217 jerry@cvccoaching.com 4 ENERVEX 770-587-3238 www.enervex.com 5 Firesafe Industries, Inc. 800-545-6607 www.firesafeinc.com 16 Gelco www.gllchimneyproducts.com 19 High Sierra Metals 530-288-1820 highsierrametals@yahoo.com 29 ICP 508-695-7000 www.chimneycaps.com 20 Lindemann Chimney Company 866-629-8006 www.lindemannsupply.com 9 Lyemance www.gllchimneyproducts.com 32 National Chimney 800-897-8481 www.nationalchimney.com Inside front cover New England Chimney Supply 866-513-2378 www.newenglandchimneysupply.com 21 Olympia Chimney Supply, Inc. 800-569-1425 www.olympiachimney.com 11 Peke Safety 800-277-1637 www.pekesafety.com 8 Sand Hill Wholesale & Mfg., Inc 800-258-5496 www.sandhillwholesale.com 27 SaverSystems, Inc 800-860-6327 www.chimneysaver.com 12 SnapLok Rotary Sweep Systems 702-790-4197 www.snaploksystems.com 23 Z-Flex 800-654-5600 sales@z-flex.com 17
April/May 2019
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PLAN TO JOIN US IN ORLANDO IN 2020! Mark your calendars for April 1-4, 2020 at the Rosen Plaza in sunny Orlando, FL!