Sweeping July 2020 VOLUME 44 #6
The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology
6 Tips For Effectively Training Your Remote Team There Is More To Mortar Past Sweeps Week
Meet a Member: Janie Rickord
6 Tips For Effectively Training Your Remote Team
Past There Is More Sweeps Week To Mortar
Meet a Member— Janie Rickord
6 23 29 30 Sweeping July 2020 Volume 44 Issue 6
Table of Contents President’s Letter 3 Sweeps Say 4 Editor’s Letter 5 Tech Q&A 14 Coach’s Corner 16 Membership Memo 32 New Members 37 Around the Tech Center 38 In Case You Missed It 39 Classifieds 40
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.
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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 Academic Coordinator pseals@ncsg.org
Annemarie Stockton Director of Communications and Marketing astockton@ncsg.org
Sara Sichting Systems and Records Coordinator ssichting@ncsg.org
Russell Dimmitt Education Director rdimmitt@ncsg.org
Tammy Bruner Program Coordinator tbruner@ncsg.org
Brittney Burton Membership & Outreach Coordinator bburton@ncsg.org
Natalie Spruell Office Coordinator nspruell@ncsg.org
Charissa Benge Mahaffey Certification Coordinator cmahaffey@ncsg.org
Kaitlyn Gonzalez Administrative Assistant kgonzalez@ncsg.org
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chimcare@hotmail.com
Vice President, At-Large Director (Appointed) Thomas Hunkele topnotchchimney@gmail.com
At-Large Director Steve Scally firesidesweeps@comcast.net
Treasurer, Region 1 Matt Mair matt@blackmoosechimney. com Secretary, Region 4 Jeff Keefer jeff@chimneycareco.com
At-Large Joe Sauter joe@yourchimneysweep.com
At-Large Director (Appointed) Gregg Boss englishsweep@att.net Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich stuartk@saversystems.com
Region 2 Bill Thornton wissahickonvalleysweep@ yahoo.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
Region 6 Jesse Peralta Bylaws Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.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 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 Steve Scally (603) 895-8746 firesidesweeps@comcast.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 Annemarie Stockton at astockton@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. © 2020 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500
President’s Letter
I
’m not a mason. I’m a fireplace contractor. While I’m more than capable of laying block foundations or wrapping a house in brick, I don’t enjoy that type of work. I do enjoy taking a customer’s dream and building
it in their home. Rule #1: Is it safe? Rule #2: Does the customer like it and will pay for it? Truth is I’ve built many, many ugly chimneys and fireplaces. If you follow my personal or company social media, I post a very small percentage of the work I do. Most jobs aren’t anything special and I don’t have time for the Chimney Police to pick apart every little detail. If you are new to
Jasper Drengler President
brick work I highly recommend taking the Masonry class taught by Chris Prior. The man is fun to be around and is always willing to share information and teach. The world of precast or cultured stone can help make any novice look like a pro. The easiest is a river rock or split face type of stone. Once you have the process down you can try squares. Just make sure to follow some of the unwritten stone laws. (Join a Masonry Facebook page for a quick lesson.) Finally, the most time consuming and difficult is dry stack. While many manufacturers make interlocking panels, I
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hate being able to see the seams and prefer to lay individual stone. Even if you don’t have the desire to take on masonry work, it helps to have an understanding of the process when inspecting fireplaces or recommending repairs. If you do want to get into fireplace change outs, the Tech Center will soon have
a hands on classroom where students will be laying stone as well. Never stop learning!
Be safe! Jasper Drengler NCSG President
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Sweeps Say
What’s Your Best Hack To Beat The Heat
“We have two — start early end early is one; and Home Depot sells cooling towels that you snap to activate and wear around your neck.” – Thomas Hunkele, Top Notch Chimney Sweeps
Look out for each month’s Sweeps Say question on Facebook!
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“Built these “sun-brellas” that attach to the top of scaffolding for the crews working on chimneys on hot days. Still in the testing phase. We’ve done the same with adding a sun visor to our helmets and it seems to be working pretty well to shade from the sun hitting the face and neck. We call it the “sun-brero”!” – Robert Berry, Full Service Chimney
H
ello, Sweeps! We are shifting our focus to all things masonry in this issue, and who better to give us a deep dive than Master Mason, Chris Prior? Chris shows us that there is more to mortar and what all sweeps should know about this bonding agent on page 23. Technical Advisory Council Chair, Steve Scally, briefs us on the essential tools needed for masonry work on page 14. Many of us have had
Editor’s Letter to change the way we work in the past several months. A great deal of us are finding ourselves in the office less and at home more. Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill provide 6 tips for effectively training your remote team on page 6. Jerry Isenhour reflects with us on what we have learned during the pandemic, how that affects our business, and how we are going to incorporate these changes into our strategic plans moving forward. Check that out in the Coach’s
Corner on page 18. Before you close this issue, make sure you read this month’s Membership Memo. Our Membership Coordinator, Brittney, talks about the value of your company business listing on NCSG.org. As homeowners are staying home more than usual, they are looking around their houses for projects they can work on and the service providers who can get the job done. Make sure your listing stands out!
Annemarie Stockton Editor
Finally, NCSG is going paperless beginning this summer, so please take a look at the In Case You Missed It on page 39! On behalf of the whole NCSG and CSIA staff, we hope you and yours are having a fabulous summer!
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6 Tips For Effectively Training Carter Harkins and Your Remote Team Taylor Hill
T
hroughout this pandemic, we’ve all had to change the way we work — some of us more than others. Many business owners have hesitantly dipped their toes into remote work, allowing CSRs and others to work from home to allow for social distancing and self-quarantining. But over the last couple of months, we’ve heard a lot of concerns and frustrations around training and tracking remote employees. And understandably so — it’s a whole new world! And we ought to know. We’ve been experimenting with remote work for a few years now, and 90% of our team was working remotely full-time prior to COVID-19. Now, we’re 100% remote, and we’ve just recently decided to
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get rid of the office altogether. Like many of you, we were somewhat hesitant to go remote at first, but it turned out to be really great for our company. We’re saving on rent and utilities, our employees love remote life, and we’ve actually seen an increase in productivity. That’s not to say that training and working remotely can’t be a challenge, because it definitely can. But it doesn’t have to be a frustration or a pain point. You just have to shift the way you do things a bit. If you’re struggling with training and tracking a newly remote team, read on. We’ve compiled some tips to make training your remote team easier and more productive.
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#1 Make sure your employees are set up for success. We all have distractions at home that we don’t in the office: kids, pets, Amazon deliveries, etc. But just like at the office, your employees need a designated workspace that minimizes distractions and allows them to focus on their work. If you want your employees to be productive while working remotely, you need to ensure they
have the space and equipment they need: high-speed Internet, a desk, a comfortable chair, a computer or tablet, a quiet space to learn, etc. The more obstacles to learning and productivity you can remove, the easier it will be for your employees to focus on and retain the training. So while you may not think it’s your job to make sure your employees have a good set-up at home, it’s to your benefit.
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If you’ve recently switched to remote work and training, check in with your employees and make sure they have what they need. High-speed, reliable Internet is especially important. If an employee repeatedly gets kicked out of training platforms or videos freeze or glitch frequently, they’ll be too frustrated to retain the information and they certainly won’t look forward to team training.
#2 Create a training schedule + set deadlines and goals for training progress and completion. Having a schedule is even more important when you’re not physically going into an office. Your employees need to know when training is taking place, how long it will be, and what they need to do to prepare. Having a schedule will allow them to plan some activities ahead of
time for the kids, make sure the dogs have been taken out beforehand, and prepare their minds and workspaces for learning. You also want to provide agendas for each training session so they know what will be covered and what they should expect to learn. Creating a checklist-style agenda or training workbooks will help keep your employees engaged as they progress through the training program.
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And don’t forget to set deadlines and goals for training progress and completion. This is especially important if you are allowing your employees to train on their own schedule. If you simply say, “Get this training done,” with no clear expectations for when each piece should be completed, you’ll find that a lot of employees will procrastinate and the training won’t be completed.
#3 Make sure the training platform is easy to use and provides a good user experience. There’s nothing worse than being forced to use a learning platform that’s glitchy, hard to
navigate, or confusing. Remote training is hard enough, without adding that frustration to the mix! So make sure that the training software you’re using is simple and painless for you and your team. If you’re doing live training using Zoom or another webinar-style platform, check in with your team regularly to make sure they’re not having any issues with hearing you or seeing what you need them to see. You can use the chatbox to quickly find out if your team can hear you, see your slides, etc.
#4 Engage and involve employees in the training process. Anytime you do training remotely, it’ll be less engaging than if you were doing it in person. But that just means you have to be extra intentional about engaging and checking in with your team. Take polls. Gamify the training with points systems and leaderboards. Involve them in the learning process and check for comprehension. Ask questions. If you don’t want to take questions during the training,
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ask your employees to jot down any questions that come up and pop them into the chatbox or save them for the end of the training. Remember, the more engaging you can make the training, the better your retention rates will be. So don’t just talk AT your employees for 3 hours. Get them involved. Note: Workbooks and other materials can be a great way to increase engagement and retention, so consider incorporating these if at all possible.
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#6 Ask for feedback on the training. One of the best things you can do to increase the effectiveness of your remote training is ask your employees for feedback. Is this learning style working for them? Did they have any issues with the training platform? Were the time blocks too long, too short? Did you give them enough time to really learn and retain the information? Is there something that
#5 Take breaks. Training for 8-hours straight in a remote setting is just not feasible. Your employees need to have time to get up, move around, use the restroom, grab a snack, let the dogs out, etc. Not only that, but they need time to digest what they’re learning. So if you’re doing live training, try to keep it to only a couple or a few hours a day and plan to take small breaks every hour or so. If you’re not doing live training, let your employees go at their own pace and train during whatever hours or days are best for them.
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could make the training better? The more you understand your employees, how they learn, what their experience is like with the current training platform, and what they’d like to see change, the easier it will be to improve the effectiveness of your training and the engagement of your remote team.
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.
Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill are the co-founders of Spark Marketer, a Nashville, Tennessee-based digital marketing company that works primarily with service
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Steve Scally
Technical Q and A What are the essential tools needed for doing masonry work?
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he symbol for masonry work is the trowel, so I will start with that. Over the years, it has been my experience that having many types of trowels will serve you well. There are so many different trowel types, lengths and widths available, but the must-haves are a brick trowel, a margin trowel, and some pointing trowels. The most common type of brick trowels are the London trowel and the Philadelphia trowel. Two of the most common trowel manufacturer’s are Rose and Marshalltown. Trowels come in different lengths and can be either narrow or wide. It is important that each mason finds the one that fits them best. Sometimes it might take trying a few different lengths and widths in order to find the one that works best for you. You will also want individual trowels for doing different types of masonry work. For example, I like to
use an 11.5-inch narrow London trowel for my brick or block work. If I am doing stone facing type work, I will use a round 7.5-inch trowel. A margin trowel is rectangular in shape and comes in different lengths. It can be quite handy when working in tight spaces or when doing minor repairs. I oftentimes use a margin trowel to hold my mortar when I’m repointing a chimney. Tuckpointing trowels come in different widths. The most common sizes are 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2”. Since no two masons build chimneys alike, I recommend having a few different pointing trowel thicknesses for the different sized joints you will run into out in the field. Jointers are another tool you will need when building a chimney, and there are so many types of these to choose from. Selecting the right type for you depends on your choice of finish. For those times when you are repairing a chimney, you will want to match the existing mortar finish for a
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professional-looking repair. Some of the most commonly used jointers are a 3/8- and a ½-inch round over convex jointer. Other types of jointers are a grapevine, rake, V-jointer, slicker, rake out, or barrel jointers. These all come in different sizes as well. One of the best tools for repointing, in my opinion, is the grout/ mortar bag. The bag lets you fill mortar joints individually, with much more control and less potential mess than with a trowel alone. This tool is especially helpful for larger repointing jobs and will save you lots of time. Levels are an essential tool for masons. They come in different lengths, and I would recommend having a few different lengths if you do a lot of masonry work on a wide variety of chimney sizes. Some common sizes to have on hand include a 16inch length, a 2-foot length, a 3-foot length, a 4-foot length and a 6-foot length. While you can get levels at any hardware store, most masons prefer a
brand like a “Crick” or “Stabila” because they are more durable. I recommend you find one that you like and use it. Some masons use a mortar board to work from while some prefer to use a mortar tub. It is up to you to choose what works the best for you. Some masons like to use a brick hammer for cutting brick and for knocking off old mortar in order to reuse a brick. Like everything else there are different types of brick hammers out on the market with different weights to them. Some have a wide blade on the brick cutting side of the hammer. Using a brick hammer takes a little getting used to. Other masons do not use a brick hammer to cut brick – they use their trowels, although this requires them to replace their trowels every now and then when the edges of the trowel get bent or ragged. Chisels are used when taking part of a chimney down for repairs and for
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removing old mortar in order to create a smooth base for adding the new courses. Chisels come in different lengths and different widths according to the different types of work you will be doing with them. If your masonry work involves just brick chimneys, a good set of masonry chisels will serve you well. If you do a lot of stonework, it is worth the investment to get a good set of stone chisels. A good set of stone chisels can cost you more than $1,000. A very underutilized tool is a mason’s ruler. A mason’s ruler is a 72-inch foldout ruler (usually made of wood) that will show you a measurement of inches on one side and a brickspacing/mortar size rule on the other side. This tool is immensely helpful when doing finish work inside a home when you have a certain height you have to reach. It can seem a little complicated at first glance but learning to use it will save you a lot of aggravation and potential disappointment at the end of the day. On the mason’s ruler you will see numbers printed in red and black. The black numbers correspond to the size
of the mortar joint. For example, the Number 5 rule uses a 3/8” mortar joint. The red numbers correspond to the number of courses. So, if you needed to add 24 inches to a chimney and you are laying a 3/8” mortar joint, you can look at the inch measurement side of the ruler and find your 24 inches. Turn over the ruler and look for the black number 5. The red number next to the 5 is 9, which means you’ll need to lay 9 courses of brick with a 3/8” mortar joint in order to reach 24
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inches in height. For interior work, you do not want to have a large gap up at the ceiling. The mason’s ruler will help you figure out what size joint you need to get to the height you need. This ruler is also helpful when you are working with another mason on a line or at different ends of a large chimney to ensure you are all working with the same spacing. Lastly, a good brush is an important tool for a mason. You will want to brush off your brick work once you are done jointing it in order to
remove any excess mortar that is sticking out without disturbing your brick work. A foxtail or a horsehair bristle brush has soft bristles and will not disturb your masonry work. This list covers just the basic masonry tools… to get you started. You may come across other tools that you find useful and helpful. If so, I encourage you to share what you’ve learned with your fellow chimney masons. There’s always something new to learn!
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Coach’s Corner What Did You Learn, What Will You Implement?
A
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s I sit and write this article, it is ten weeks since what I call my day of realization, the day I boarded a plane leaving New Orleans at the end of the HPBA show – an expo, trade show and educational event held in a building that would soon be transitioned into a field hospital for the city of New Orleans. Ten weeks of confusion, ten weeks of frustration, ten weeks of looking to government programs such as grants, PPP loans, and Disaster Loans since that day. The world moved to where we endured a period where change occurred not only weekly or even daily, but often by the hour. Unemployment compensation changed dramatically, and uncertainty was often the order for many during this traumatic period of time.
As we look at business today in this New World we have been presented with, (what my friend and mentor, Randy Pennington, calls The New Next) we see steps that have had to be taken. Steps that only a short ten weeks ago no one had any idea or concept of, and likely we could not even have dreamed would happen. Who knew that the focus on safety would change from fall protection to virus protection, and how not to spread the virus within our workforces and our customers? As I write this article, today’s unemployment is estimated at 40,000,000. And many businesses are also suffering due to the shutdown of the economy in their markets. Another economic factor that is affecting some is the lowered cost of oil, which has hit
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some market areas dramatically, while others look at the lowered price of gas as a gift from above. And over the past ten weeks, some in our industry have suffered immensely, while others are reporting record sales and profits right now. We also see where regulations in some states are extreme, and in others, it is like the COVID-19 virus quite simply never made a visit and does not exist. So, where does this point us as business owners? One is to understand the economics of our areas of business practice fully. What is needed in your marketplace and what are the factors affecting your market area. During the most recent crisis, the issues of doing business in New York or Pennsylvania were vastly different from
the way business was done in Kansas, Alabama, or Oklahoma. Even today, while wearing a mask is common in some states, in other areas, it is hardly seen. And the differences are much more than that. If you are an energyproducing state such as Texas, the world is much different as they are being hit hard due to unemployment attributed oil industry lay-offs. As a business owner, one must understand the needs of their customers and markets. And just as business changes in different regions, so does the needs of those customers and markets. In our coaching business, we hear the frustrations of these different regions on an ongoing basis, and the work we do with our clients is not the same with every
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client. We gear our services to the unique needs and challenges of each client. And that is what I advise you to do as a business owner. What works in other markets may not be your magic beanstalk. What is your business goal? What is your perfect business? And what makes your “perfect day,” as Ellen Rohr has said in many of her presentations? The perfect day for you is what YOU envision as your perfect day,
not what another says it should be. This takes me to the question of the day, the purpose of this article. Last month I asked the question, did you waste the crisis? Today I ask two questions: first, what did you learn from the crisis and second, what will you implement as you move through and out of the curve? This is what great minds will do; they will use the experience
of pain and take the lessons to construct a path to move to a higher level. This will lead them to be better prepared for future episodes of chaos in their lives.
of booming business and all of a sudden the largest pothole opened up right in front of you, but luckily you were able to apply the brakes before you drove right into the hole.
This brings the question to you, what did you learn, and what will you do as you move forward? What changes do you plan to implement? Here are a few questions for you as you look back at a time where you were speeding down a road
#1 What did this crisis reveal about your workforce culture? #2 What did this crisis reveal about the importance of having a budget that placed funds into a reserve fund?
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#3 What did the crisis reveal about your workforce? #4 What did the crisis reveal about your own fears? #5 What was the most significant pain you underwent, and what did this teach you? Look at and use the past ten weeks as a form of tuition to grow yourself and your business to a higher level. Often it is pain that makes us see the benefit of going through the necessary change. Change is not only expected in life and business, it is inevitable. Use the tuition as the necessary reinvention that every business will undergo to remain at the top of their game.
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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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There Is More To Mortar: What Every Chimney Sweep Should Know About Mortar
Chris Prior I was asked if I would write an article about some masonry topic. There are so many areas of masonry that would be great to write about. I have been teaching masonry for a long time, and one topic I consistently get questions about is mortar. I thought that this would be a great subject for the article. If we wanted to put a definition on the term mortar, you could say, “The primary function of mortar is to bond masonry units into one solid mass”. Let us look at a brief history of mortar. The first mortar we have records for was clay and mud. It was abundant, and easily gathered from dry river or lake beds. As far back as 6500 BC, clay and mud mortar was used to bond the crude sun-dried brick of the time. Sometime in the 2600’s B.C. the use of gypsum, a very common mineral, to make mortar was becoming the norm. It occurs as a soft hydrated calcium sulfate crystal that can be scratched by the fingernail. Burning gypsum to create the powder used in the mortar requires a fairly low firing temperature, making it easy to produce. The gypsum powder is essentially plaster of Paris, and sets up quickly. In Egypt it was used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The next historic milestone in mortar development was volcanic, or pozzolanic mortar. Discovered by the Greeks, and perfected by the Romans, the addition of volcanic ash as an ingredient essentially became what we know as hydraulic cement. There are many structures still
standing and in relatively good condition. The mortar development that has the longest history is lime mortar. Limestone, (calcium carbonate), is burnt in a kiln. During the burning process, carbon dioxide is given off, creating quick lime, (calcium oxide). This is then Slaked, or immersed in water, and forms (calcium hydroxide). When dried into a powder, it is the hydrated lime we are familiar with. When masonry is laid up with lime mortar, it hardens by drawing carbon dioxide from the air, and slowly turning back into (calcium carbonate). This process is known as the calcine cycle, or lime cycle. Lime mortar has very low bond strength. The stone structures of the period had to be built very thick to acquire their strength. Portland cement is a fairly modern addition to mortar history. In early 19th century England, Joseph Aspdin is credited with developing Portland cement. It was produced by heating limestone and clay minerals in a kiln to form clinkers. The process would then grind the clinkers, and add a small percentage of gypsum. Joseph Aspdin gave it the name Portland cement because it reminded him of the Portland stone which came from the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. Portland cement is what gives mortar its strength.
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Modern mortar. Todays mortar is comprised of varying amounts of four components. Portland cement, hydrated lime, sand and water. Lets explore the properties of each of these four components.
Portland cement: Portland cement is typically sold in bags. A bag of Portland cement contains 1 ft³ by volume, and weighs 94 lbs. It is the volume of Portland cement in the mortar that determines the compressive strength of the mortar.
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For a product to be called Portland cement, it must comply with the with the specifications of the ASTM C150 Standard.
Hydrated lime: Hydrated lime is also sold in bags containing 1 ft³ by volume, and weighs 50 lbs. Properties of the lime. It is the lime in the mortar that helps determine the bond strength, or how well the mortar adheres, sticks, or bonds to the masonry units. The lime also controls the workability of the mortar, or how well the mortar loads onto the trowel, and how easily it spreads. The lime influences the water retention of the mortar. By allowing the mortar to retain moisture, it helps the mortar dry more slowly.
It is the lime in the mortar that affects the tensile strength of the mortar by keeping the mortar from curing too hard and brittle. The lime helps keep the mortar pliable, to help it withstand the stresses that try to make it form cracks. Autogenous healing. It is the lime in the mortar that provides the ability to seal-up, or heal, hairline cracks that develop over time. It is the lime that provides the ability to help produce less shrink cracking in the mortar during the hardening process. The Lime is what allows the mortar to hold up over years of constant temperature and weather changes. It is the lime’s
50 LBS. 22.68 KILOS
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ability of flexibility and autogenous healing that allows for this property.
Sand: Sand is the aggregate of mortar, it is basically pulverized and sifted stone. There are two types of sand. Natural and manufactured
be used in mortar. Manufactured sand is the byproduct of crushing rock in a quarry. This type of sand is sharp with angular grain shapes. It is usually more expensive than natural sand. Properties of sand Filler. The sand makes up 3/4 of the mortar.
Natural sand is rounded and smooth in structure. It is transported from river and lake beds and must be washed to remove impurities before it can
The Portland cement, the lime and water form a paste. The paste fills the voids between the various sized sand particles.
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With the correct volume , the sand helps to decrease shrinkage during the setting and drying period Filler. The sand makes up 3/4 of the mortar. The Portland Cement, the lime and water form a paste. The paste fills the voids between the various sized sand particles. The sand particles in the paste actually
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lubricates the mortar in a sense. It is the sand that helps make the mortar spreadable, or slide off the trowel nicely without sticking. Never use sand that has not been treated and washed. Unwashed sand may contain silt which is decomposed organic matter. Silt weakens the mortar and makes it unmanageable
Classifications of mortar
There are three Classifications of mortar: Portland cement mortars, Masonry cement mortars and Pre-mixed mortars.
Portland cement mortars Are a combination of Portland cement, hydrated lime and sand The ingredients are individually proportioned, and mixed to a specified mortar type.
Masonry cement mortars Are pre-packaged in 1-cubic-foot bags, and contain a specific combination of both
Portland cement and hydrated lime. Sand and water are the only additional ingredients needed.
Pre-mixed mortars Are prepackaged, containing a specific combination of Portland cement hydrated lime and sand. Water is the only additional ingredient needed to make the mortar.
Mortar Type The term mortar type refers to the strength of a mortar based on varying the volume combinations of Portland cement and
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when troweling, it will prevent proper bonding and can cause stains.
Water: Always use clean water that is free of salts and organic matter.
hydrated lime. The higher the volume of Portland cement in the mortar, the higher the compressive strength of the mortar will be. There is an easy way to remember the various mortar types. Spell out the word MASON WORK. Highlight all the odd letters, you end up with, MSNOK. These letters represent the different mortar types,
in order from strongest to weakest. The chart below shows the compressive strength in pounds per square inch for each mortar type. Let us examine the properties of each mortar type.
Type M: Very strong and durable. Recommended for unreinforced masonry below grade.
Type
Strength in PSI
M
2,500
S
1,800
N O K
750 350 100
M
Number of Portland Cement parts 4
Number of Hydrated lime parts 1
S N O K
2 1 1 1
1 1 2 3
Mortar Type
Used in large commercial construction.
Type S: A strong mortar used in reinforced masonry Used where maximum flexural strength is needed such as in chimney and CMU block work. Type S mortar is slowly becoming the most widely used type.
Type N: Has medium strength. Is mainly used above grade for veneer work. Widely used in residential construction.
Type O: Has Low strength. Is mainly used where no freezing occurs. A good choice to use with soft antique brick.
Type K: Has very low strength. Mostly used for repointing soft antique brick, or building with soft antique brick. A good way to
Total number of parts (Portland + lime)
Multiply by 3
Sand three parts for each part of Portland and lime
(5)
x(3)
15
(3) (2) (3) (4)
x(3) x(3) x(3) x(3)
9 6 9 12
distinguish between the different mortar types is by referring to a mortar type Mixing Chart above. The first vertical column indicates the mortar type. The second vertical column shows how many parts by volume of Portland cement are needed for each type. The third vertical column shows how many parts by volume of hydrated lime are needed for each type. The fourth vertical column shows the sum, or total number of parts for both Portland cement and hydrated lime. The fifth vertical column shows the total number of parts of Portland cement and hydrated lime multiplied by 3. The sixth column indicates how many parts by volume of sand is specified for each mortar type. To see how to formulate a specific mortar type, simply read the row across from left to right for each mortar type. What classification of mortar would be best
for the work I do? Earlier we talked about the different classifications of mortar. Portland cement mortars, masonry cement mortars and premixed mortars. Choosing which classification of mortar to use depends largely on the scope of masonry work you will be performing.
LEHIGH
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IRON CLAD TYPE N LIGHT MASONRY CEMENT
Pre-mixed mortar is convenient because you only need water to make mortar. It is best for small repair jobs, like replacing a few brick when installing a liner tee. It is only available in a limited number of mortar types. Usually just type N and S. Pre-mixed mortar is the most expensive per cubic foot to use, so it is best suited for small jobs. With masonry cement mortars, the bag
70 lbs. (31.8 kg)
contains pre-portioned amounts of both Portland cement and hydrated lime, based on the type. Sand and water are all you need to add to make mortar. Masonry cement mortars are usually available in Type N and S. It is cost effective for most small to medium masonry work, such as chimney to rebuilds. It will require masons sand to make mortar. The sand to masonry
cement ratio is three parts sand to one part masonry cement. For every 1 cubic-foot-bag, you will need 3 cubic feet
any particulate matter. It is very harmful to your lungs. Some general guidelines for mixing mortar. Centrally locate the
TYPE-N REGULAR
STRENGTH
SAKRETE
MORTAR MIX
Mexcla de Mortero Tipo N
JOINTS
of sand.
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Portland cement mortars are by far the most versatile since you are able to portion out the individual ingredients to make any mortar type you will need. This is especially true when low strength mortar such as Type O or K is needed. These mortar types are not typically available in pre-mixed, or masonry cement mortars. Mixing mortar. A word about safety. Always wear eye protection. The ingredients that comprise mortar can irritate the skin, so always wear gloves and clothing that will protect your skin. Be sure to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling
Mixing Area as close to the work area as possible, and be sure the mixing area will not be in the way of other materials, or deliveries. Keep all the materials covered with plastic or a tarp to keep everything dry and free of foreign objects Hand mixing mortar. For small batches, a five gallon bucket and an auger type mixer in a drill will work fine. When mixing larger quantities, the use of a mixing tub is preferable, but a good wheelbarrow will work as well. Raise the mortar tub up off the ground at least 16”, and 32” is even better. This will help prevent strain on your back.
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A few concrete blocks work well for this. Add the sand first, making it like a ramp or slope in the mixing tub, keeping it thin at one end, sloping to thick at the other end. Next add the mortar in an even layer on top of the sand. It is important to dry mix the materials completely until they reach a uniform color before any water is added to the mix. Add at least half the water at the narrow end of the slope, pull a small amount of the dry mix into the water and work it back and forth to mix. Add more dry mix into the water. Keep repeating, add more water as necessary to achieve the proper consistency. Add enough water to make the mix just a bit wetter than needed. Allow the mortar to Slake, or rest for 10 minutes, and then re-mix. Re-mix the mortar thoroughly, and do not add any more water at this point. It takes some practice to add the proper amount of water before Slaking. Be sure to clean the tools well with water. Common Problems. Mixing mortar. Adding too much water in the mix is known as drowning. If this
happens you must add more dry materials in the correct proportion. If there is too much cement, and the mortar is very sticky, it’s called fat mortar. If there is too much sand and it’s not sticky enough, it’s called lean mortar. Make sure no lumps are present in the bag of mortar. If so, throw it out, moisture got to it. When temperatures fall below 40° F the sand and water may need to be heated. Be careful not to over heat causing a flash set. Use this information to make better mortar.
Past Sweeps Week
I
think I speak for everyone here at the Tech Center when I say we really missed seeing all of your smiling faces at the annual Sweeps Week this summer! So let’s take a look back and reminisce on some of our favorite memories from previous years. Thank you to all who have come out to the Tech Center over the years to work hard, share a meal, and laugh a lot. A special thanks goes out to Ron and Renée Brigman and Chris and Ingrid Prior who dedicate their time and work each year to put together such a wonderful and treasured event. We can’t wait to see you all next year!
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Janie Meet Rickord
a Member
Meet Janie Rickord with Alpine Chimney Sweep, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa. Janie has been a member of the NCSG for over 20 years and shares with us her unique perspective on the chimney industry.
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What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? As a lady, how did you get in to this business? How did you get started in the industry? My Dad was a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. When I had doubts after he suggested it, because I’m a woman, he said women clean everything else! The rest is history! What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? I wish I had taken some business classes instead of learning along the way. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Time. I give my customers my all when I am working at their home and sometimes I have lost track of time. I used to try and Do It All, but no more. I have a great office team and we work hard on punctuality and communication with our customers.
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Who was your most famous customer? Jim Root from Slipknot, an American alternative metal band. Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway? I truly enjoy attending the NCSG annual convention. I love to catch up with friends and make new friends. I enjoy the trade show, meeting with the vendors and seeing all the new stuff that will make my job easier! I have learned so much in the workshops provided, I’m certain that’s why my profits have continued to rise!
What is your proudest accomplishment? Raising children and building a successful chimney sweep company that has locations in three states. Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? Many MacGyver tactics used over the years, but I have a special ramp to get wood stoves to a basement. Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? I found some slightly charred men’s red silk boxers stuffed in lintel! Hmm…
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What do you like to do outside of work? Turn phones off, relax in the pool, and enjoy family time. What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? The most valuable part for me is the education taught by the best of the best in our industry and the family feel of this organization. Thanks, Janie! Do you know who should be the next featured member? Send your nominations to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org.
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Brittney Burton
Membership and Outreach Coordinator
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Membership Memo Welcome to the middle of summer! The weather is heating up, classes are back in session at the Tech Center, and NCSG Membership renewal season is just around the corner! We have missed you all very much, are excited to begin seeing friendly faces again, and look forward to another year of success with each of you. As you look at renewing membership for next year, we should review one of the benefits you automatically receive with your Membership to make the most of the coming months. One of our most useful benefits is possibly one that you aren’t actively aware you are already receiving. As an NCSG Member you have a business listing in the directory on NCSG. org. Homeowners regularly use this directory to search for local chimney service providers in their area. Many of our members appear in thousands of local directory searches each year. Now is the time to check your business listing to make sure you are
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capitalizing on these opportunities to fill your calendars. To view your current listing visit NCSG. org and search your zip code by selecting Find an NCSG Member under the For Homeowners tab. You can update your listing by completing the form at http://bit. ly/NCSGlisting. To see more ROI be sure to include a business description, company website, and all applicable social media accounts. Social media is one of the best ways to increase traffic to your website. Users are more receptive to your message, and have an opportunity to engage with your business more frequently. “Social media is a game changer for Fluesbrothers. It is how we stay connected with our customers, how we show potential new hires our culture, and how we educate our community.” - Brandi Biswell, Fluesbrothers Chimney Service Curious about the number of views your listing has already received? You can find your Referral Report
on the Members Only section of the NCSG website. Just log in and select Referral Report. Check your report regularly to see how the number of referrals change each month and be able to recognize trends throughout the year. Homeowners have been looking at projects around their houses while social distancing and are looking for the right service providers for the job. Make sure your listing stands out to take advantage of the remaining time on your current membership and look out for renewal information for another successful year!
Roydhouse Round Up
and flashing service. The name of the game is keeping water out and protecting both the exterior and interior of the chimney system. We are the experts in this arena and we must convey this message and establish a standard to reinforce that our industry and your company is your customer’s go to place for all chimney solutions.
by Chuck Roydhouse, CSIA President president@csia.org
“We build our character from bricks of habit we pile up day by day.” - Zig Zigler Masonry, the art and craft of building and fabricating in stone, clay brick or concrete block. The key phrase is art and craft. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, masonry in the United States is a 30 billion dollar industry expected to grow 11% in the next 8 years, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The demand is real. Masonry repair is a high profit margin business with a low cost of entry. Now is the time to get your piece of the pie. How can you provide valve to your customers? By having us prepare you with the skill set to service and bring value to your client. One strategy is to focus on small sized jobs that traditional masons feel are not worth their time. It’s a gold mine. Examples would be: rebuild the top four courses of brick work, repoint the firebox, remove and replace 6 spalling bricks or maybe an hour or two of grinding and repointing. Don’t forget to couple this with the other preventative maintenance, rehab protection and water penetration prevention to ensure the repair investment your customer just made lasts. Diagnose and treat the structure in total. Do not only focus on the obvious. Water is the chimney’s nemesis and we have the ability and expertise to solve this issue. Items for best practice could include outside mount caps with proper lid overhang, water repellent, crickets
But Chuck, how do I equip myself and my chimney service company to accomplish this profit center goal? Well, I am glad you asked. CSIA can provide these skills by offering classes, both in person and online (CSIA SureFire eLearning), to help you reach your individual and company goal of being the trained, confident and certified technician. CSIA offers technical training of course, but did you know we are also the Chimney Success Institute of America? Business classes and safety training are also part of our line up to assist you in becoming a well- rounded chimney professional who can complete and meet your communities’ needs. CSIA =ROI. ROI= The CSIA Masonry School August 10th -14th taught by CSIA Master Mason Chris Prior at our satellite campus in Richmond, Indiana. This is a soup to nuts 5-day curriculum designed to take you from brick and mortar characteristics to advance skills, combining classroom theory and extensive hands on practice with one on one instructor interaction. Register early, as this specialty class fills up quick and we have limited spots. A condensed version of our masonry school is offered as a 2-Day event and can be found in Raleigh, North Carolina August 26th and 27th. Chris Prior will also be the lead instructor mason and will pack value in this skill-rich subject matter. Both the Masonry School and the 2-Day course will not disappoint. Let CSIA blaze the trail, helping you develop skills to be proud of and be successful in your chimney service company by offering the best service your customers require.
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As a final note, I hope by the time you are reading this you, your family and crew have been safe, healthy and have weathered the Covid-19 storm. CSIA and NCSG are here for you. We are all one, big family. If you need help, ask. There is no other trade that is as giving as OUR INDUSTRY. You matter to us and I thank you for being part of this family. “A career is like a house: it’s made of masonry bricks, each brick has the same value, because without any one of them, the house would collapse.” -Andrea Bocelli CSIA IS THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN THE CHIMNEY AND VENTING INDUSTRY! Be Safe,
Join Master Mason, Chris Prior (left), for the CSIA Masonry School, August 10th -14th in Richmond, Indiana.
Chuck Roydhouse President CSIA
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NEW CERTIFICATIONS California Tyler Kezas Chim Chimney Sweep Escondido Colorado David Gutierrez Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney, Inc Evergreen Florida John Tisdale ARC Home Services Eureka Illinois John Lutz Lutz Chimney Services Eureka
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Florida Jeff Wallace Lint Rescue Cooper City
Riley O’Connor Safeway Chimney Sweeps Frankfort
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New York Diane Pilger Chief Chimney Services, Inc Smithtown
North Carolina Graham Barnes Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service Raleigh
Oklahoma Amber Cuddie C&C Chimney Skiatook
Ohio Michael Kieffer Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service Inc Greenwich
Oregon Justin Griffis Portland
Tennessee Jacob Kneller Woodheat Specialists, Inc Dba The Chimney Doctors Jackson
Vermont David Datnoff Brickliners Corp. Williston
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Megan McMahon Executive Director
Around the Tech Center Our industry is blessed with some outstanding volunteers! Whether it’s amazing board members, fabulous convention volunteers or anyone attempting to make a difference, I am constantly amazed at the amount of dedication to the industry our sweeps show! The last few weeks have been no different. I want to give a HUGE shout out to the small group of individuals who volunteered their time and efforts to expand the Prior Structure to include roof access and factory built change out training here at the Tech Center.
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THANK YOU Tim Smith, Chris Prior, David Steward, Landon Braatz, Craig Pieper, Braxton Buckbee, Jasper Drengler and Chuck Roydhouse for generously lending us your time, expertise and efforts to make this happen. You have helped advance the training we have available and have ensured the continued success of our industry!
NCSG is going paperless!
In Case You
Missed
it…
Less time. Less Cost. Less Paper. A goal we had for 2020 was to be more environmentally conscious in a way that makes the member experience smoother and more efficient. We could all use a little less clutter on our desks, so let’s go paperless together! NCSG members due to renew their membership in September are going to receive one physical renewal letter after July 1st. This will be your last paper communication from us. We won’t leave you hanging though! In that letter will be instructions on how you can access and pay your renewal online. Be on the lookout for that final letter and always keep an eye out for our emails and social media communications so we can stay active and connected to one another!
#NCSG2021 Call for Speakers The National Chimney Sweep Guild is now accepting speaker proposals for presentations at the NCSG 2021 National Convention, March 17-20 at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee, WI. We invite you to share your knowledge with your peers in the industry by presenting a session. We are especially looking to offer more technical seminars next year. Apply today at www.NCSGConvention.org!
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Classifieds CHIMNEY SWEEP & REPAIR COMPANY FOR SALE Central/Northern Virginia Established 1981 2017 revenue: $ 1,009,000.00 2018 revenue: $ 1,083,000.00 2019 revenue: $ $1,266,214.03 EBITDA: $272,704.29 All equipment and vehicles convey Operations and management staff to remain Turn-key operation Secure long-term lease for offices and warehouse Owner financing with 25% down Sale price: $ 475,000.00
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LAID OFF? Certified and ready to work? If you have fireplace / chimney industry experience, then we have the career opportunity for you. Family owned and operated since 1987. Our expanding team has positions available for Certified Chimney Sweeps, Masons, and experienced Chimney Repair Technicians near Kansas City. You may be eligible for a RELOCATION PACKAGE! After company training is complete, we provide our technicians with a work truck to run their own crew and help make chimneys safe for KC families. We have 7 Certified Chimney Sweeps making over $50K per year and a full team of support staff. Send resumes to info@ fullservicechimney.com or call 913-642-6171. Apply online at //fullservicechimney.com/careers GasVent Software for Sizing Chimneys only $195
Call 540-272-3485
Call 1-800-648-9523 for more info and visit www. elitesoft.com to download a free trial version
Work in the Beautiful Rocky Mountains!
CLASSIFIED ADS FREE FOR NCSG MEMBERS
Service Monkey Fireplaces in Summit County Colorado looking for certified technicians to join our crew. Hourly wage $18+ depending on certifications and experience. Please contact us 970-262-1257 or info@ servicemonkeyfireplace.com
Members can run one 35-word classified free each year! Regular classified ads are $2/word or $1/ word for NCSG members. Classified ads are noncommissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Natalie Spruell at nspruell@ncsg.org or 317-837-1500.
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S weeping | July | 2020
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