Sweeping Magazine-February 2021 by National Chimney Sweep Guild

Sweeping February 2021 VOLUME 45 #2

The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology

2021 Board of Directors Nominees

How to Create Meaningful Change in Life & Work

Why Do We Insulate Chimney Liners

Meet a Member — Doug Ault

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How to Create Meaningful Change in Life & Work

2021 Board of Directors Nominees

Why Do We Insulate Chimney Liners

Meet a Member — Doug Ault

12 14 18 26 Sweeping February 2021 Volume 45 Issue 2

Table of Contents President’s Letter 4 Editor’s Letter 6 Tech Q&A 8 Sweeps Say 10 In Case You Missed It 10 Coach’s Corner 22 Membership Memo 28 New Members 33 Date and Events 34 Classifieds 35 Darwin Award 36

Cover: digital illustration by David Bruce, Red2 Design Bureau

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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 2019-2020

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Masonry Fireplace Construction and Restoration (866) 283-8667 Ext. 700

Stainless Steel Liner Installation (866) 283-8667 Ext. 705

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.

STAFF

Resources Brittney Burton Membership & Outreach Coordinator bburton@ncsg.org

Vice President, At-Large Director (Appointed) Thomas Hunkele topnotchchimney@gmail.com Treasurer, Region 1 Matt Mair matt@blackmoosechimney. com Secretary, Region 4 Jeff Keefer jeff@chimneycareco.com Region 2 Bill Thornton wissahickonvalleysweep@ yahoo.com

Region 6 Jesse Peralta chimcare@hotmail.com At-Large Joe Sauter joe@yourchimneysweep.com At-Large Director Steve Scally firesidesweeps@comcast.net At-Large Director (Appointed) Gregg Boss englishsweep@att.net Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich stuartk@saversystems.com

Region 3 Ron Rust tophatswp@aol.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS and TASK FORCES 2019 – 2020

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

Bylaws Tom Hunkele (641) 774-8056 topnotchchimney@gmail.com

NFPA 211 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com

Ethics Joe Sauter (317) 243-9687 joe@yourchimneysweep.com

NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com

Governance Bill Thornton (215) 540-9787 wissahickonvalleysweep@yahoo.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 Steve Scally (603) 895-8746 firesidesweeps@comcast.net

International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com Membership Jesse Peralta (503) 655-2446 chimcare@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Sweeping do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Chimney Sweep Guild or its employees. 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 David Bruce at red2designbureau@gmail.com. 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.

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Class Availability Updates!! BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

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Chimney Doctors BURNSVILLE, MN Instructor: Bill Ryan

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American Chimney & Masonry Inc. PORTLAND, OR Instructor: Bob Ferrari Rooftop Chimney Sweeps, LLC. RICHMOND, VA Instructor: Ande Grantham

Mike’s Mobile Screen & Chimney Service STOCKTON, CA Instructor: Bob Ferrari

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Jasper Drengler President

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

ello fellow sweeps! This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of sweeping is all about stainless steel. I know for a fact that chimney sweeps know a lot more about the properties of stainless steel than the average person. After years of playing with fireplaces, caps and pipes, we can normally distinguish the difference between 300 and 400 series stainless almost completely by sight. Sweeps have a love affair with this metal simply because of how well is stands the test of time, heat, rain and soot. Stainless steel is a wonderful material that most of us touch at some point every day.

THANK YOU for a great year Due to the industry's high demands in 2020, we are expanding all our locations to make every preparation to be ready for next season. THANK YOU for your continued support and we look forward to providing you even better service in the years to come. S weeping | February | 2021

Like stainless steel, my love for this industry will be never ending. While the leaders come and go, board members change over and suppliers buy each other out, I will always appreciate the friendships I've made. Long live the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Be safe, be profitable! NCSG President Jasper Drengler

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David Bruce

Interim Editor

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

ello, sweeps! I hope everyone is remaining safe and healthy as we continue into 2021. Some of you know me, most however do not. I am David Bruce and I have been designing and illustarting for Sweeping and the Guild since 2014 and will be stepping-up as interim editor until a new director of communications is hired. This issue of Sweeping focuses on chimney liners and applications of steel. An article by Russ Dimmitt breaks down the importance of insulating chimney liners. In Tech Q and A, Steven Scally writes about the various grades of stainless steel and which appliances they are used. Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill from Spark Marketer address how to create persistant change in life and work and reading recommendations to facilitate change.

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In keeping with the theme of change, Jerry Isenhour pens an article about reinvention in the wake of 2020, COVID and all the other challenges last year brought. Also take time to read up on the biographies of the 2021 Board of Directors Nominees. Ballots must be post marked by March 2 and boardmembers will be placed on March 16 during the 2021 NCSG Virtual Convention. Speaking of convention, if you havn't you can register at www.

ncsgconvention.org/register for the 2021 Virtual Convention! Best regards,

Steven Scally

Technical Q and A What types of stainless steel are there, and which one do I choose for each appliance?

tainless steel has come a long way in the last 40 years. When we as chimney sweeps started to reline with stainless steel, I only knew of a couple places to get pipe, and it was straight pipe back then. One was from Heat Fab out in the western part of Massachusetts and

then Sleepy Hollow and Copperfield. I am sure there were more, though I was young back then and these were the companies we used. The only grade of stainless at the time was 304, as far as I know. It is also the most common grade of stainless on the market. Shortly afterward, the 316 and AL294C grades

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of stainless became available. If memory serves me well, I believe it was Sleepy Hollow that came out with the first flexible stainless liner, which was a 304-flex stainless. The 304 alloy stainless liners are as near to bullet-proof as anything we have in the liner industry for wood burning appliances

due to most being a thicker wall product. We use the 316 grades of stainless for our oil, gas, and coal heating appliances due to the composition of the stainless that makes it less corrosive to the products of combustion these appliances produce. Many technicians also choose the 316 products for wood-burning appliances.

The 316-grade stainless is mostly made up of iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, with small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. There is a 316L and a 316Ti. The 316L stainless steel is almost identical to 316. The only difference is the carbon content. The 316L has a lower carbon content, which imparts even better corrosion resistance than 316. The 316Ti adds a small percentage of titanium. The titanium combines with carbon to prevent corrosion. This enables the liner to withstand higher temperatures (800 degrees Fahrenheit and above) longer than 316L. The AL294C stainless is made for higher efficiency gas appliances. Over time it has also been used for a few of the highest efficiency oil appliances. What is AL294C? According to their website, “the AL 29-4C® alloy is a super ferritic stainless steel developed by ATI Allegheny Ludlum for extreme resistance to chloride ion pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC), as well as general corrosion in oxidizing and moderately reducing environments.” This type of stainless steel is mostly used for Category 2, 3, and 4 gas appliances. This grade

of stainless is also recommended for high efficiency oil appliances (generally 86% or higher), such as a Viessman boiler, where the stack temperature never exceeds 300 degrees. AL294C breaks down at relatively low temperatures so 316 is a better choice when flue gas temperatures exceed 300 degrees. Another advancement in stainless steel liners is the smooth inner wall liner. These liners reduce turbulence, resulting in a better draft, particularly for those appliances where the stack temperature is low. In some instances, for gas and oil appliances it is possible to downsize the diameter of the liner because of the improved drafting capability. However, it is important to check with the liner manufacturer, appliance manufacturer and local AHJ before you downsize. In addition to the different grades of stainless, liners come in different thicknesses as well. Flex liners are the thinnest (.006” thick), making them lighter and easier to install. Hybrid liners are thicker than flex liners (.010” thick) and have the smooth inner wall option. Heavy flex liners are the thickest (.018” thick).

Which thickness do you want to install for your client? In my opinion, this is where you need to have an understanding of your client and how he/she uses their appliance. Here in the northeast, most of our clients burn wood, and it’s sad to say that many of them bank their stoves at night (load it up with wood and then shut down the air supply so that it smolders all night long). For those clients, I would install a heavy flex liner because it will stand up to the abuse these clients will put it through. When installing stainless steel liners, it is important you follow the installation instructions per that manufacturer for the liner to meet its UL listing. For example, for solid fuel-burning appliances, many liner manufacturers require the liner be insulated in order to meet their UL-1777 listing. You will also want to follow the appliance manufacturer’s venting requirements. Sometimes, this can lead to conflicting options. Pellet stoves are considered to be solid fuel-burning appliances. When installing a liner for a pellet stove, most of the pellet stove manufacturers do not require the liner to be

insulated; however, the liner manufacturer requires it to be insulated. Whose instructions should you follow? In my opinion, I would err on the side of caution and insulate the liner so that the system is UL-listed, which may be a requirement of the client’s homeowner’s insurance. When installing a liner for an oil boiler, I highly recommend you research the venting requirements for that particular boiler or furnace, as I have found out they vary depending on the manufacturer. I have gone as far as calling the manufacturer’s technical department to make sure what I was reading was true and accurate. In some instances, those installation instructions were old and outdated — the manufacturer never updated their installation instructions. I guess what I am trying to say is, do your homework on the appliances before you install your liners. It is not a one size fits all.

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Sweeps Say How has the pandemic affected your business? “Our call volume has definitely increased this year! Typically calls start to slow down in January whereas they've increased this year. Here's to our continued health & success!” – Gary Yates, Chimney Sweep “2x year over 2019” – Ryan Anderson, Best Chimney Services LLC “Started out slow but ended up [our] busiest year so far.” – Jeremy Laures, The Chimney Sweep Inc. “Busiest year ever and even now it’s busy.” – Tim Robinson,

“It really has not. We slowed down to take care of only emergency work at the start but since June we are going at full time. Clients do understand manufacturers’ slowdowns with product once we properly explain the chain of production and delivery. We are, however, asking more health questions 24 hours prior to appointment via phone and now insist on a questionnaire be filled out and returned 48 hours prior to work date. Some clients push back so we inform why we need to do things this way and can’t go if they refuse. Then we give options. We are doing more cottages with the Hide-A-Key option and getting paid by E-Transfer more than ever. We have learned our health is more important than a client’s protests, we make them reschedule!!! Have never been booked out this many months in advance!!” - Yvette Robitaille-Aube, AIM Chimney Sweep

Look out for each month’s Sweeps Say question on Facebook!

In Case You

Missed

it…

Don’t miss out on #NCSG2021! With all of the uncertainties surrounding in-person events in 2021, you can be certain that attending the NCSG Virtual Convention and Trade Show will provide you the education and networking you’ve come to expect from NCSG. We’ve designed this year's convention to fit within your schedule — no need to take off a week of work or pay to fly out your entire staff in order to reap all of the rewards of attending a live event. Unlike conventions in the past, you will be able to attend and get CEUs for every session offered at convention... that's nearly double the usual amount! And with over 70% new speakers and plenty of your favorite vendors, we're sure this convention will be one for the history books! Bonus: the convention platform will be open for one whole month! Get your CEUs and gain valuable knowledge on your own schedule. Register today to secure your spot at www.ncsgconvention.org.

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How

Create In Work Meaningful &Life Change to

12 Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill

hh, habits. Those pesky things that seem to get in the way of a free flowing lifestyle, right? Well, if we look closely, we’ll find that our free flowing lifestyles are full of habits and routines, we just don’t call them that. Think about it: What do you do when you wake up every morning? Is it the same thing every day? Chances are, unless you have young children or an occasional pet emergency, you have a morning routine. You get up, check your phone, shower, check your phone, drink coffee while you check your phone… You get the idea. Habits make up your daily life. The question is: what habits might be hurting your business and how do you change those habits?

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If you’ve heard us speak about our culture, you may recall a story we tell about being gifted a book on CD (thank you Hope Stevenson!) called The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. There is a part in the book about institutional habits. And the example used is: Management tells a new hire what it’s like to work in the company and how to get along. Then the new hire works with the team and discovers what it’s really like and how to navigate management. Well, that was a wake-up call to us. As we looked at our team, we realized that all you needed to know in order to get along in our company was 1. Don’t piss off Taylor and 2. Leave Carter alone. This being NOT a good way to lead is an understatement.

So we went on a journey of sorts to figure out what we needed to do to make changes in our business. And what we quickly discovered was that the changes that needed to happen were really in us. But just being aware that something needs to change is way different than changing it! That’s where habit comes into play. We had to change our habits and create new ones. And, while The Power of Habit helped us identify those habits, it wasn’t until Taylor listened to another book called Atomic Habits, by James Clear, that we learned this: Changing habits is actually a process, much like an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). The first step is to take inventory of your current habits. This includes your daily routines at home and at work. Once this is done and you see your routines and your patterns, then you can think about what you really want to accomplish. That’s step two. Now for the most crucial part… What normally happens when we decide to start a new habit, like

working out every day, is that we go too hard, too fast. We go out and join a gym, set the alarm for 4 a.m., and go do the hardest workout we can imagine. Why? Because we want the change to be quick, no matter what it takes. But this type of behavior has proven to be the worst way to change a habit, because habits take time to become a routine. These huge leaps of effort are just not sustainable. Real change comes from small incremental bursts of effort over time. So once you know what you want to add, take away, or just do differently, start looking for opportunities within your routine to change one thing at a time.

was far easier for us than it would have been if we had decided to do it all at once. That’s not to say it went perfectly, but it went way smoother than it did for businesses who hadn’t integrated a work-from-home policy pre-Covid. And no one complained because it wasn’t a huge leap of effort. It was an incremental shift. We’ve used this method in our personal lives as well. We both eat Keto and neither of our wives do. But that doesn’t matter, because we have made the changes in our cooking and lives that support that kind of eating.

We did this when going remote as a team. While Covid-19 sped up the timeline, we actually started a work from home program two years ago, and let people choose certain days they wanted to work from home.

Taylor has added yoga to his lifestyle and did it really slowly by doing 5 minutes a day every morning. He’s now up to 35 to 40 minutes a day and it’s helped his back pain tremendously. If he had started with 35 to 40 minutes a day, he would have quit. But by adding it slowly over time, he turned yoga into a habit he doesn’t want to break.

By the time the pandemic hit, 95% of our workforce was already working from home full- or part-time. So making the change to 100% remote work

We don’t know what you need to change in your life or business, but there is a way to make change over time that sticks. Check out Atomic Habits by James

Clear for more tips on making meaningful, lasting change. We know you can do it! To your success! Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill are the co-founders of Spark Marketer, a Nashville, Tennessee-based digital marketing company that works primarily with service businesses. They're also cocreators of the award-winning app Closing Commander, which helps contractors close more estimates effortlessly, and co-authors of the book, Blue Collar Proud: 10 Principles for Building a Kickass Business You Love. Both regularly speak at service industry trade shows and conferences across the nation. Visit www. sparkmarker.com, www.about. closingcommander.com, www. facebook.com/sparkmarketer, or www.facebook.com/ closingcommander.

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2021

NCSG Board of Directors Nominees

Here are your nominees for the upcoming election of NCSG directors. Please note that the following nominees are running for twoyear terms (2021-2022). New board members will be seated at the March 16, 2021 Board of Directors meeting at the 2021 NCSG Virtual Convention. Voting members: Ballots will be mailed on February 5, 2021 must be postmarked no later than March 2, 2021.

Region 1 Director (one nominee)

Matt Mair (incumbent)

My name is Matt Mair and I, along with my wife Sarah, own Black Moose Chimney in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Joining the Guild in 2009 was

a pivotal time in my life and career — I learned the value of the experience, depth of insight, and camaraderie the Guild membership had to offer, and I would like to share that with others in the industry. We're not just sticking brushes in flues — we truly are improving the lives of our customers through our work! I became CSIAcertified the same year as joining the Guild. From supporting and advocating for local gatherings of chimney professionals and the National Convention to currently participating

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on the board of directors for the NEACHP, I have been a long-time proponent of education in the industry.

Two At-Large Directors (six nominees)

Joseph Sauter (incumbent)

A bit more about myself: I'm a father of six, love to hunt, ride motorcycles, hike in the White Mountains, and spend quiet evenings with my family at home with a warm fire burning in the stove.

Joseph Sauter started in the chimney industry in 1982, joining the Guild in 1984. He became a Certified Sweep in approximately

1992. He also has served as a firefighter, EMT and fire investigator for the Wayne Township Fire Department for 12 years. Joe has previously served on both the NCSG and the CSIA Board of Directors during the years of 2001 – 2004, serving as the Ethics chairperson for both organizations. It was during this time that the first successful lawsuit was brought against a CSIA logo violator, paving the way for the success that we have had in protecting out trademark. Joe has also worked as a CSIA instructor for several years, not only doing road shows but also the week long Chimney Sweep Training School. He is currently still instructing classes and has obtained his CSIA Master Sweep credential. Now that his children are older and he has more available time to serve he would like to once again be part of the process for the future of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. He hopes that you will support his nomination in this endeavor.

Steven Scally (incumbent)

Hi, my name is Steven T. Scally. I own and run Fireside Sweeps LLC in Fremont, NH. I started this business on my own in 1999, though I have been in this industry since 1978. I learned how to sweep and repair chimneys when I was working for my uncle at the Chimney Doctor of Concord, MA. I became certified in 1981 and still hold my certification number of 401 which I am proud of. I was President of the New Hampshire Association for 4 years and now I am a current President of the North East Association of Chimney and Hearth Professionals. I am also a member of the Better Business Bureau. I want to be on the board of directors to help my fellow sweeps and industry grow. I believe we all still have so much to learn and grow. I have over

40 years of knowledge in this business, from the sweep side of the picture to the owner side of what it takes to run a successful business. I want to share with anyone who wants to learn more about this industry. I have taught numerous amounts of masonry classes as well as relining classes and how to set up staging classes. I was part of the group of great people that built the Twisted Chimney at our awesome Technology Center. I feel that I have so much to offer our fellow sweeps from the handson to the business side and want to help them out. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jake Cromwell

Jake Cromwell is a 44-year old husband and father, a lifelong resident of Arkansas and a passionate devotee of the chimney industry. A twentytwo year chimney sweep, NCSG member and CSIA certified since 2011, he is the Owner of Top Hat Chimney & Roofing Inc. in Springdale, AR as well as the Customer Development Consultant for National Chimney. Prior to his employment with National Chimney (2016), he consulted chimney, hearth, hospitality, roofing, recovery, security and health services companies with the development and implementation of field management and sales systems. He is also a commercial property investor/ manager, an avid golfer and musician. Jake’s goals for the NCSG

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are to widely promote homeowner awareness of the trade, develop a comprehensive benefit package for members of the Guild, and to follow and provide leadership that will unquestionably and transparently fulfill the NCSG mission.

Jesse Doucette

16 My career as a sweep began in 2006 when I joined Crown Chimney as an apprentice. Within two years I was promoted to Operations Manager and, in 2018, I proudly took ownership of the business. An advocate for continuing education, I have furthered my career in this industry through my passion for learning. My introduction began through the CSIA where I acquired my Certification and advanced to earn the title of Master Certified Sweep. My quest for knowledge continued as I received the title of

Gas Specialist through the National Fireplace Institute. Progressing my career, I obtained the NH-State Gas Service License and became a Certified Inspector from Fireplace Investigation Research and Education (F.I.R.E). Whether serving my neighbors and residents of NH or collaborating with my fellow Sweeps, I take great pride in my reputation through demonstrated success in providing vast knowledge, critical thinking and out-ofthe-firebox problem solving skills with professionalism, honesty and integrity. It is my privilege to serve as an active member for both the NH Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board and the International Residential Code (IRC) Board through the International Code Council. The National Chimney Sweep Guild has provided me with resources, leadership and opportunity throughout my career; as famously quoted by Albert Einstein “it is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” It would be my honor to give back to the industry

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that has given me so much and serve the association and its members.

Marge Padgitt

Marge Padgitt is a 35year industry veteran. She is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, NFI Woodburning Specialist and NFI trainer, and a licensed private investigator. Marge is the president and CEO of HearthMasters, Inc. Chimney and Fireplace Restoration Company and Padgitt Forensic Investigations, which is a specialty fire investigation business. She writes all the fire investigation reports and chimney evaluation reports for HearthMasters, Inc. and does the marketing, website, and safety training for the company. Marge wrote The Chimney & Hearth Pro’s Resource Book and Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking and has more books

in the works including The Complete Guide to Chimney and Fireplace Restoration. She has authored over 250 business and technical articles for chimneys. com, Sweeping Magazine, SNEWS Magazine, Masonry Construction Magazine, Wood-Fired Magazine, and her blog www. Wood-FiredHeatingand Cooking.blogspot. com. Marge served on the board of directors for the NCSG and the MCSC, and other industry organizations over the past 25 years. She created many presentations and spoke at multiple meetings and conventions. Marge is currently working on a series of online courses which will be available soon.

Tim Smith

I have a beautiful wife of 22 years, Dawn. Together we have four grown children and two grandsons. Having been a sweep for my entire adult life, I feel I can bring fresh ideas to the board while not losing sight of the old school ways that got us here.

Tim Smith, owner of Certified Chimney Care, LLC. Greencastle IN. CSIA certified Chimney Sweep #1266. CSIA certified Chimney Specialist #3. In 1984, shortly after graduating high school, I began sweeping full time. I worked for Joe Tremblay of Chimney Sweeps of America, for several years before taking over part of his company in 1996, then bought out the rest of it in 2000 when he retired. I owned and operated that business until 2017 when I sold it to one of my employees. I then moved and started my current company, and currently have 3 employees. I am a past president of the Indiana Chimney Sweep Guild. I am also a long time Sweeps Week volunteer. On the personal side, I enjoy fishing, hunting and playing pool.

Region 5 Director (one nominee)

David Steward

David is from Claremore, Oklahoma. He got his start sweeping chimneys by way of the Boy Scouts. A fellow scout’s father was a chimney sweep and needed some busy season help. He worked for him for a couple of winters while he spent his summers cowboying in Texas and New Mexico. After a few years he joined the Air Force where he served for ten years, completing multiple deployments to 27 countries in total. Once

he left the Air Force he came back to Oklahoma where he went back to ranch work and decided to become a full time chimney professional. He attended an Olympia reline class where he met Bill Ryan and Michael Segerstrom. They graciously have mentored him over the last 6 years. David is now the most certified professional in the state of Oklahoma. He holds the F.I.R.E., CSIA, NFI Wood, and NFI Gas certifications. David is always looking to give back to the industry and was recently an integral part of building both the Prior Structure and the new Changeout building. You can always find him at the annual convention, he’ll be wearing his cowboy hat! Stop him and say hello!

Supplier Director (one nominee)

Stuart Karanovich (incumbent)

Stuart Karanovich has over fifteen in the industry. He currently serves as the Director of Sales at SaverSystems. When asked why he wished to serve on the board of directors Karanovich said, “My motivation is simple, to give back. Our industry has provided me with a challenging and enjoyable profession, as well as supporting my family. I realize that there is a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes which makes that possible. It’s time to add my shoulder to the wheel…”

S weeping | February | 2021

nsulating chimney liners has always been a bit of a pain. We all know there have been many chimney liners installed without insulation over the years.

Why

D O We

Insulate

CHIMNEY

LINERS By Russ Dimmitt Education Director

S weeping | February | 2021

Some of that is lack of knowledge, some of it is a bit of laziness, and some do not want to spend any additional money. I have seen the numbers and

liner manufacturers will tell you the amount of insulation they sell does not match up with the footage of liner sold.

I am here to tell you — insulate the liners. There are several reasons why insulating liners is the right thing to do, and we will walk through some of them. Fuel type is a consideration and we will go through some of the ins and outs of insulating liners for various fuels.

I want to start by considering what the UL 1777 testing for chimney liners addresses. When UL or another lab using their standard tests a liner, there is specific protocols that are used. An important part of that test, and the part that is most challenging for manufacturers, is reducing heat transfer to the surrounding combustibles. Most manufacturers utilize the UL 1777 zero clearance standard, which replicates real world scenarios where there are combustibles against the masonry chimney. The flue gas temperatures used in the testing are 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours, 1400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour and then three simulated chimney fires at 2100 degrees Fahrenheit spaced 30 minutes apart. The chimney is encased in a plywood structure, which has a quantity of sensors to register the heat transfer at 10-minute intervals. The allowable temperatures on the plywood structure in contact with the chimney rise as more time elapses, and at the

latter stages, the allowable temperatures are such that pyrolysis would occur and fully pyrolyzed wood may ignite. These numbers are for liners listed for use with wood burning appliances. The temperatures used for oil, gas and pellet liners are less and we will address the need for insulating those in a bit. In the earlier days of the industry, many manufacturers attempted to pass the UL 1777 standard without insulation and various air space requirements. That history predates me by a bit, but three different icons from different chimney liner manufacturers told me that they ignited the test structure a time or two in those early days. As part of the listing process, the installation instructions must be approved by UL. They have guidelines that have to be maintained for the instructions that are as rigorous as the testing protocols. Codes such as IRC and standards such as NFPA 211 state that listed systems shall be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions, which would require insulation for wood burning in every instance. Some manufacturers may play a bit of game with lesser or no insulation requirement with code compliant chimneys or some such language. Do not allow yourself to fall for that.

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We all can agree that experience tells us that chimneys with proper clearances to combustibles are rare and we have to assume incorrect clearances are present unless we do a Level III inspection to prove otherwise. We have two types of insulation that are approved for use with flex liners. One being a ceramic blanket wrap and the other being a pour in cementitious type product that contains an insulation material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and which is the preferred method on any chimney is determined by the circumstances.

The ceramic blanket wraps will have a foil facing and are manually wrapped around the liner with the seams taped and a protective sleeve placed over the insulation. Multiple manufacturers have also produced pre-insulated liners using ceramic blanket insulation. These products have a protective layer outside the insulation from the factory, typically an aluminum product similar in appearance to liner. Many technicians for the labor savings and easier use prefer the pre-insulated products. Each manufacturer of liner has a proprietary mix that they have approved with their liners. The cementitious products are mixed with water and poured around the

S weeping | February | 2021

liner. A challenge that is encountered with these products is the liner has to be centered as the insulation is poured to have sufficient thickness of the insulation around the liner. On tighter flues where the wrapped product may have a tendency to snag, some technicians prefer pour in insulation as the liner goes down easier without the wrap and then insulation can be poured in. Insulation is an important factor in keeping the liner warmer when operating. Keeping the flue gases as hot as we can for as long as we can will contribute to reduced condensation, which is always our goal when venting any fuelburning appliance. By reducing or eliminating condensation, we limit creosote accumulation with a wood-burning appliance. When we reduce or eliminate condensation for a gas or oil burning appliance, we get the corrosive byproducts of combustion up and out of the flue and reduce or eliminate damage to the liner. As the appliances we deal with have become more efficient, less heat is available to the flue and the amount of flue products to vent may be reduced. As a result, existing masonry chimneys are too large and need to have a smaller liner to ensure proper appliance operation. Liners for wood-burning

appliances must be properly insulated to meet the UL standards in the chimney stock and homes we visit every day. UL standards do not require insulation in most cases to meet the heat transfer standards when venting oil, gas or pellet appliances. That does not mean oil, gas and pellet liners shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be insulated. By insulating these liners, you can reduce, and in many cases eliminate condensation in the flue, which is something UL does not address in their testing. An insulated liner will be warmer in standby conditions that will give better start up with less spillage.

In conclusion, insulate the liners.

S weeping | February | 2021

Jerry Isenhour

Coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner 2021: Will It Be A Year Of Reinvention?

M 22

any of us may look at 2020 as a year of tremendous chaos and confusion. I mean how do you not? Likely no time in our lives have we suffered through a year of such extreme pandemonium and utter chaos. 2020 altered the way business was done, the way we lived, and in the coming years will likely require significant reinvention to stay on top of your local market. 2020 will affect us for years to come. In 2020 we suffered through a time of tremendous uncertainty. Many had thoughts in the spring of just how the year would end, perhaps even if we would survive the year. While some continued working through a pandemic as it was unleashed on our population, others were faced with a period

of work shutdown that went on, in some cases, for a matter of weeks, to others who staggered for months from the effects of the economic shutdown. Many of these were forced by regulations in their states, as the state governments shut the system down. Who could have envisioned that there would come a time when we would be applying for PPP funds and disaster loans? Who could have dreamed in January that this would be a part of doing business in the coming months? From there, we headed into a late summer and fall that likely was one for the record books, with many companies ending the year of 2020 on a higher note than the year of 2019 ended. In fact, many ended 2020 with higher bottom lines than they had in 2019, an amazing feat with the chaos

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that was underway.

and self-quarantine?

Even as I sit and write this, the pandemic continues to rear its ugly head with an alarming toll of sickness and death found in our communities, our world, and in our industry. As we roll into 2021 the effects are seeming to be felt every week by many industry members as we face employees out of work due to their contracting the COVID-19 virus, or having someone in their household who has contracted the virus. This in turn affecting their ability to provide services and products to our customers in a timely manner. We also face coming government regulations that could be a hindrance to the way we do business. Who would have foreseen that 2020 could have become the year of the mask, sixfoot social distancing,

And this has extended to the industry supply chains with shortages of materials such as appliances becoming a bigger and bigger issue each day. We could sit and talk about the woes we face, but this does not provide us the relief we we need these issues. As business owners, these are the challenges we face as we head into this new year of 2021. To move forward with success may well require a reinvention of sorts, but reinvention is not something that is done simply after chaos befalls us. Reinvention is an ongoing task that each person and business should go through periodically as we move forward, and we learn from our business and life experiences. There are times that business failure will become reality due to a failure to reinvent

in a timely manner as required by the customer, or the economics of the day. Often a competitor will step up to the plate offering a better product, or a better service that draws the attention of our market. Let’s face it, the retail world and the world of selling commodities has changed tremendously. Those who have reinvented to the demand of the customer are seeing success, those who have failed have watched their business falter. This is no different for a service company

as the consumer is a fickle person who has changing desires and pains that they look to a service company to resolve and provide solutions. Make no mistake, what we sell is a commodity —all services and products are. And like all commodities we must make the commodities we offer the best choice for our fickle customer. That means we must present, deliver, and stand behind in the way the customer desires it to happen. The customer is, remains, and will

always be the boss that determines our success. Often managers are simply too busy to take note of how the consumer changes. A time of overwhelming business can cause this oversight, but there lies one of the important roles of any manager to observe the metrics, what we call KPIs — Key Performance Indicators. Each manager must set and take the time for the periodic analysis of these critical metrics, no matter how overwhelming the workload and demand are.

Often, we are blinded to what is happening because we are working and working and working. And in today’s world, the world comes at us faster than ever. Problems often occur that the manager simply does not foresee or observe. As you move further into the year 2021, take the time to analyze where you are. Take the time to scout your market for the other choices the customer may make instead of you. Make 2021 the year where you build your local market authority by the outreach that

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S weeping | February | 2021

you do. It takes more than just a website to command market authority, it takes outreach to establish you position as that local market authority. And establishing yourself as the local market authority is the smart positioning for any business to take. Set up the systems in 2021 to move your recruitment, onboarding, assessment and traing to improve your workforce beyond merely "good enough". Rather make the year 2021 where they become really good through your ongoing

training processes to take them to the level that you have committed in your marketing to provide your market area.

your own choice of reinvention wisely.

And lastly, make 2021 a year in which you devote time to training for yourself. Training is the true leader that your team of rock stars needs to continue their success on being the best in your local market. Reinvention is always a choice that each of us must make; when do we reinvent and is reinvention is a process we should be undergoing? Make

About the Author: 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.

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Doug Ault Meet

a Member

Meet Doug Ault of Abbey Road Chimney Sweep in Memphis, TN. Doug shares with us some of his biggest challenges in the industry, and how NCSG helped connect him to some pretty great peers. What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? What is your answer? How in the world did you think of being a chimney sweep? That often leads to a rather long answer about being a "back to the land" hippy in Vermont, where my wife and I (both being 19 years old) heated and cooked solely with wood. Every spring, I cleaned my own chimney pipes (don't ask how)! When we moved south of the border (Mason-Dixon border that is), I found that no one knew that they needed their chimneys cleaned...and aside from Burt in "Mary Poppins," did not even know what a chimney sweep was. How did you get started in the industry? The short answer: I read the "Mother Earth News" article in, what was it, 1977? I saved up, and in August 1978 I purchased the "August West" system for $1385. (At that time I had $1395 to my name). What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Probably none. As a young man of 22, I liked the adventure of figuring out things for myself. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking to build a career or business per se; just trying to get my wife and me through nursing school.

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What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? The biggest challenge probably is to not enjoy the work, or the business side of things TOO MUCH! (I love my work). But rather to keep the "Eternal" first....or as the bible puts it, "not looking at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." Who was your most famous customer? Fred Smith of FedEx, "Pitt" Hyde, founder of AutoZone, Al Greene, the singer, Larry Dodson of Bar-Kays. I live in Memphis, man! Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway? New Orleans in the 80's. Boston, I think, in the 90's. And recently, Norfolk. In Boston, I met the guy from California (?) who invented a great dryer vent cleaning kit in a little shiny metal case. And I bought the first one that he sold there. He later said to me: "Thanks for carrying that case all around the showroom with you. I saw Bob Daniels looking at what you were carrying with an eye for another opportunity! Maybe he will sell my dryer vent kits!"

What is your proudest accomplishment?

What do you like to do outside of work?

Staying in the race spiritually....being more madly in love with my wife, Irma, than the day I married her (in 1973), and having a great young protégé, Timothy Weaver who will be taking over the business someday soon. Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?

I enjoy good quality time with our home church friends or reading in front of my "laughing fire" in the fireplace, canoeing, camping, and hiking the "14ers" in Colorado (so far, I've climbed 33 of the 53 14,000 peaks). What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?

Very often having to reconfigure the tool of communication to keep customers and workers content. Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? A wood duck behind a stove insert...oh better yet...a small treasure box of seemingly valuable coins was found by one of my workers behind an old, rusty steel firebox we were cutting out (to build back a brick firebox). Top hats off to honorable employees, who could have kept the treasure themselves (since the new homeowner wasn't around at the time). Instead, immediately they found the homeowner, who was very much impressed by their integrity! (p.s. — the last time I checked, the homeowner still hasn't had the coins assessed.)

Meeting people like Dale Howard, the yesteryear owner of Westminster Chimney Supply in Maryland...and answering his appeal to go with him to help a missionary friend in Guatemala (1989). Meeting John and Tom Meredith at their facility in Indiana to learn their "heat-shield" joint repair system. Meeting Jake Cromwell and Gene and Marge Padgitt in Fayetteville, Arkansas for a seminar there (2016). All due to the connections made through NCSG! Thanks, Doug! Do you want to be the next Meet a Member? Do you know someone who should be featured? Send in your nominations to marketing@ncsg. org.

DON'T LOSE A JOB to low inventory

again.

ALWAYS GO WHERE YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR ANY JOB!

S weeping | February | 2021

Brittney Burton

Membership and Outreach Coordinator

Membership Memo 2021

S 28

till trying to decide if you are going to get enough value out of this year’s Virtual Convention compared to the conventions of the past? We know this event looks different, feels different, and definitely is different. However, a lot will be same also with education opportunities, trade show conversations, as well as networking activities.

Education This year’s education line up consists of over 70% new speakers with plenty of new content to help take your business and industry knowledge to the next level. Not only is new content abundant, but you don’t have to pick and choose between all the offerings. This year you will be able to learn from every speaker and every session and earn all the CEUs available. All sessions will be recorded and posted in the OnDemand Library for your access within

convention gt

pie c

o e s t og e t h e r f

Is the Virtual Convention Really Worth It?

the platform. Plus, you will have access for 26 days following the convention to view the content you missed or review the best takeaways. With amazing keynote and general session speakers, you won’t want to miss this education lineup.

Trade Show The Trade Show is a huge part of convention as it puts you face to face with some spectacular suppliers. Even in the virtual world, these suppliers will be available to you. In their own custom designed booths, you will be able to review their latest resources, chat with a representative via text or video chat, or set up a one-on-one meeting to discuss the fine details of doing business. We have several industry suppliers already designing content for their booths and more are still joining in each week in order to bring their products and expertise to you during the trade show.

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Networking & Evening Events We know seeing each other is one of the best parts of the convention each year. I personally can’t wait to meet you all in person either. However, even in the virtual world I look forward to putting faces to all of the names I’ve become so familiar with this year. We may not be sitting on barstools to chat this year (unless you choose to pull one up to your computer at home), but we will still be interacting and having fun together. Convention days don’t end with the end of the daily session schedule. We are still going to be having some friendly competition over Bingo and a cocktail at Opening Night. We of course can’t forget sharing laughs and tips on nights in between with technical, business, and even hobby discussions in our Networking Rooms via video chat or on the discussion boards. Yes, things are different, but so is the world we all live in today. Let’s come together and enjoy the things that are still the same and keep growing as an industry until we can meet in person again.

Roydhouse Round Up

by Chuck Roydhouse, CSIA President president@csia.org

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the Chimney Success Institute of America both have a unity of commitment to our certification holders. Our operational tempo is one of constant improvement in our service to you with expanded multi-disciplined training offerings in 2021. We have weathered the storm together in 2020 working for you in virtual training, both in-person and hands-on curriculum at our CSIA National Training Academy, Masonry School and Gas Class to name a few. The point of this is; the chimney service world does not stop and we all must be on top of our game in order to provide the best service to the public. CSIA is here to help you in making that happen. A large part of our chimney repair portfolio is lining of chimneys. Due to a plethora of reasons (water damage, lack of annual maintenance, sizing issues, sudden occurrence events and poor construction) we are called upon to solve these deficiencies to ensure proper venting. This year we are offering a class titled Reline Basics.

The class is designed to teach you the why, when and how of stainless-steel relining. Taught by our subject matter expert, with 4 decades of knowledge base, is our CSIA Director of Education Russ Dimmitt. This is the quintessential nuts and bolts of what you and your technicians need to know to correctly repair a chimney or venting system, providing your customer with the best, most efficient outcome for continued use. Another part of the stainless-steel relining is sizing and correctly installing appliances such as wood stove inserts, hearth stoves and gas fireplace inserts. These appliances just might be a better choice for your customer and should not be overlooked. Lastly, do not forget liner repair systems. Manufactures have developed and engineered repair coating choices that may be an option. Factory built change out that reviews how to open walls, remove factory-built fireplaces and re-install a new unit; to include venting, chase cover, sheeting and stone or finishing materials can also fall into “lining” option. This class is offered April 7th and 8th. The venting of the appliance is a large part of our inspection process and helping your customers have a functional and safe venting system can move you forward and grow your company to the next level. How do you explain how a chimney or vent works and how do you document your inspection findings to win these relining jobs? Easy, CSIA is offering two new classes,

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investment (ROI) with CSIA. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for choosing and trusting CSIA.

“No dream is too big. No challenge is too great. Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach.” - President Donald J. Trump CSIA IS THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN THE CHIMNEY & VENTING INDUSTRY

The Chimney Safety and Success Institutes of America are always working for you, our credential holders, to provide a true return on Chuck Roydhouse CSIA President

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We run chimney companies and still have our pulse von the daily challenges that companies face.

We are the official online training partner for the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

We have the New CSIA Chimney Sweep Review and Exam (SureFire is the only place you can take it.)

Now offering over 200 courses, modules, and quizzes. Including the new CSIA Review and all NFI Reviews.

We have brought together the largest, most diverse network of industry experts. Currently, we have over 20 course instructors.

Now you can obtain 100% of the CEU’s necessary to re-certify through the CSIA.

February 2021

www.CSIA.org

NEW CERTIFICATIONS California Emily Martinez The Village Chimney Sweep Valley Center Illinois Matt Forbes Excel Fireplace & Chimney Morton

Oregon Brian Lowe Chimcare Portland Portland

Illinois Bryan Reel Fireplace & Chimney Authority Inc Elmhurst

Pennsylvania Caelin (CJ) Razete Chimney Fixers - Pittsburgh Moon Township

Indiana Alex Steward Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney, Inc Ashley

John Gabriel Razete Chimney Fixers - Pittsburgh Moon Township

Indiana Brandyn Curtsinger ACE Chimney Sweep Taylorsville

Vermont Dennis Morgan Demers Chimney Service LLC Lunenburg

Kansas Clifford Jayne Flue Bird Chimney Service, LLC Wichita

Jonathan Martin Black Magic Chimney Sweeps of Southern Vermont, LLC Manchester Center

Kentucky Michael Hardin ACE Chimney Sweep Taylorsville

Nathan Weeks Friends of the Sun, Ltd. Brattleboro

Michigan Dave Markey Hancock Chimney Service Wyoming New Jersey Paul Thompson Homespect LLC Vorhees North Carolina John Stave Smoke Alert Garner Ohio Dustin Hughes Moseley Masonry & Chimney Sweep Troy

Jonathan White Chimney Savers Inc Randolph Gary Grout Woodchuck Chimney Sweeps S Londonderry

Florida Jeff Addington Hygienic Air, Inc Clermont Ade Nelson Window to Wall Install LLC Oviedo ADVERTISEMENT

Michigan Adam Ernest C.J.W. Chimney Holly Minnesota Jason Giandalia Gray Duct Technologies Lakeville William Winfield Gray Duct Technologies Lakeville Nevada Mundo Veloz Dust Busters Pahrump Virginia Joseph Gourley The Dryer Vent Guys Fredricksburg Stephen King King’s Cleaning & Restoration Buxton

February 2021

New Members

MINNESOTA Chimney Fixers – Pittsburgh • James Hammer • Grand Marias TEXAS Homeworkz • Nikalas Stephenson • Gary

REGION

NORTH CAROLINA Queen City Sweeps LLC • David Hixson • Cornelius

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PENNSYLVANIA Chimney Fixers – Pittsburgh • Caelin (CJ) Razete • Moon Township

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REGION REGION REGION

2424 3535 6 6 CALIFORNIA Witten's Chimney Service • Jeff Witten • Bohnert Park

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S weeping | February | 2021

Dates and Events Educational Dates & Events listings from NCSG Members. Please check with the host organization listed below prior to making travel commitments. Blue Collar Chimney Expo For more information or to register visit www.BlueCollarChimneyExpo.com ‡ Spring Show April 1st-June 30th 2021 ‡ Fall Show Labor Day through the end of 2021 ‡ Chimney Expo 2021 – Date Change King of Prussia, PA Valley Forge Casino June 3-5, 2021 For more information or to register visit www.chimneyexpo.com

Chimney Safety Institute of America

For more information or to register visit web.csia.org/events Check out the Full Education Calendar on the CSIA Update pages

Copperfield Chimney Academy For more information call or text (570) 340-0482 ‡ Hands on Rip and Replace January & February 2021 Lancaster, PA Oxford, NY Pittsburgh, PA Richmond, VA Knoxville, TN Cedar, MN Valparaiso, IN Cincinnatti, OH Republic, MO Taylor, TX Stockton, CA Portland, OR ‡ Week Long Masonry School March 2021 Canton, OH Reno, NV

S weeping | February | 2021

‡ Hands on Relining Workshop April 2021 Elkridge, MD Knoxville, TN Antrim, NH Shipshewana, IN Skiatook, OK Pittsburgh, PA Portland, OR Denver, CO ‡ Professional Chimney Inspection June/July 2021 Loomis, CA Springfield, MO Lancaster, PA Sturbridge, MA Asheville, NC ‡ Professional Inspection Delivery August 2021 Portland, OR Bensalem, PA Lancaster, PA Worcester, MA Canton, OH San Clemente, CA

HPBExpo For more information or to register visit hpbexpo.com/ Louisville, KY Exhibition June 24-26, 2021 Education June 23-25 2021

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 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 email office@ncsg.org or call 317-837-1500.

S weeping | February | 2021

Darwin Award My son came across this one and sent me pictures. It is truly unbelievable. We decided it looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. They have "only caught on fire three times this year" and "it only fills the house with smoke until they turn the fan on". We will not be touching it, period. Ronica Bradley Owner/Office Manager Rhino Fireplace and Chimney Services Mt. Vernon, Ohio

36 See a chimney in your area that had you scratching your head? Send it to the editor, Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org for publication in Sweeping. Include a few words about the scene and location.