Sweeping Magazine- November 2016

Sweeping November 2016 VOLUME 40 #10

The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology

Hearth Industry Government Affairs Update Bricks & Mortar Is Negativity Poisoning Your Workplace & Your Marketing?

Registration is Now Open!

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Departments President’s Letter 3 Editor’s Letter 5 Coach’s Corner 12 History Project 19 New Members 20 New Supplier Profile 21 Technical Q&A 22 Progressive Perks 27 Date and Events 28 Around the Tech Center 34 Sweeps Advantage 35 Classifieds 35 Darwin Award 36

Table of Contents Sweeping November 2016 Volume 40 Issue 10

Features Is Negativity Poisoning Your Workplace & Your Marketing?

Hearth Industry Government Affairs Update

Cover photo taken in the Oval Office during a meeting on September 28, 2012. Along with the fireplace the artworks George Washington by Rembrandt Peale and Bust of Abraham Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens are also pictured. Photo by Pete Souza.

Bricks & Mortar

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Jim Brewer Gas Venting and NFPA 54 (317) 203-0088 x: 3 John Pilger Oil Flue Sizing, Relining or NFPA 31 (317) 203-0088 x: 4 Randy Brooks IRC, NFPA 211 or Customer Communications (317) 203-0088 x: 5 Bart Ogden Stainless Steel Lining, Video Scanning and Narrative Report Writing (317) 203-0088 x: 6

Fred Joy Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves (317) 203-0088 x: 7 Jay Walker Dryer Vents (317) 203-0088 x: 8 Rett Rasmussen Vented and Vent Free Gas Logs and Controls (317) 203-0088 x: 9 Rich Martinez Dryer Vents or Masonry (317) 203-0088 x: * Rich Rua General Sweeping or Relining (317) 203-0088 x: 0

NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Chris Prior Masonry Construction and Restoration and Priorfire Fireboxes (317) 203-0088 x: 2

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2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365

Frances Kelly Excecutive Director fkelly@ncsg.org Megan McMahon Director of Finance mmcmahon@ncsg.org Debbie Cornelius Membership Development Coordinator dcornelius@ncsg.org Donna Lee Kasmer CSIA Certification Coordinator dkasmer@csia.org Claire Rutledge Program Coordinator crutledge@ncsg.org

November 2016

Darcy Marlett Director of Communications and Marketing dmarlett@ncsg.org Jordan Whitt CSIA Director of Communications and Marketing jwhitt@csia.org Ashley Edridge Director of Education ashley@csia.org Sara Sichting Office Manager ssichting@ncsg.org

COMMITTEE CHAIRS and TASK FORCES 2016 – 2017

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STAFF

Resources

Region 6 Bob Ferrari (530) 941-5818 bob@flueseason.com

Vice President, Region 5 Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drengler01@gmail.com

Secretary, At Large Director Gregg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net

Treasurer, Region 3 Ron Rust (803) 730-5858 tophatswp@aol.com

At-Large Director Tom Hunkele (515) 249-6337 nopnotchchimney@gmail.com

Region 1 Mike Elliott (508) 987-6348 sootguy@aol.com

At-Large Director Dennis Dobbs (256) 845- 9814 info@fireplaceservicecenter. com

Region 2 Ed Ridgeway (856) 241-7999 masons@chimney-duct.com

To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (317) 203-0088 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question: Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney.

Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/ or supersede the information and any recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with firsthand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.

President, At Large Director Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com

Region 4 Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com

Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich (765) 966-5084 stuartk@saversystems.com

Bylaws Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drangler01@yahoo.com

Membership Bob Ferrari (530) 221-3331 bob@flueseason.com

Ethics Andy Raycroft (703) 836-7858 andy@rooftopchimneysweeps.con

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

Governance Jay Walker (850) 562-4692 sweepingJ@aol.com

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

Government Affairs Mike Elliot (508) 987-6348 sootguy@aol.com

NFPA 54 Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com

International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com

Technical Advisory Council Michael Segerstrom (908) 253-9190 chimneysweeps@optonline.net

Long Range Planning Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com

Scholarship Committee Greg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net

ADVERTISING RATES for Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology may be obtained by contacting Malisa Minetree at (317) 815-4688 or sweepingads@me.com Layout and design by David Bruce, Red2 Design Bureau NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format.

In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release.

NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publication’s standards.

Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. © 2016 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500

Recently I traveled to Italy for the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE).

Luckily, my three leg flight and 17-hour travel time got me to Verona, Italy right on time. I had allotted extra travel time after flying in delayed to Chicago last year and missing my flight to Munich, Germany.

With the extra time, I had the opportunity to stow my suitcase and take a train to Rome. I had budgeted extra personal money for the possibility of this side trip. In my younger days of school, I remember studying about Roman History and architecture. Traveling by train is very convenient in Italy.

After a comfortable three-hour train ride, I arrived in Rome.

The next morning, I went to see the Coliseum. What a wonder of the world! A man with a strong New York accent approached me asking if I wanted to skip the line and join his tour group.

I agreed and took the tour. I have found good tour groups to be a great way to learn the entire history of an area and get more out of the experience.

After the Coliseum tour and a tour of the Roman Forum ruins across from the Coliseum, I was asked if I would like to tour the Vatican. Ironically, I was heading that way after the tour. The tour guide called in my information and gave me directions on how to take the subway train to the station to meet the tour group.

I arrived at the Vatican tour group meeting place. Our tour guide was a woman from the area that did training at the Vatican. In the Vatican, tour guides and groups have to wear

headphones to keep the noise down. The tour guide speaks into a microphone and the patrons on the tour listen to her as she guides us through this beautiful landmark of the world.

During the tour the tour guide kept telling us to never forget to “look up” so we would not miss the wonderful structures and artwork on the ceilings and on the rooftops. This reminder and comment made me smile and made me think of our industry.

As chimney sweeps, we always find ourselves “looking up”. No matter where I am in the world, I find myself sizing up chimneys and making mental pictures of how I would access the roof of a structure I was near. It becomes second nature and is a real prideful feeling that we are able to safely access and work on areas of buildings that few others can accomplish.

President’s

Letter Jeremy Biswell

President

Look up.

The funny thing is, I have talked to many others in our industry that find themselves doing the same thing I speak of in this article. Are you one of them? I truly enjoy having the “do you find yourself always looking up” talk with my employees once they have worked with us for a while. They all do.

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My wife, Brandi, never understood why I always mentioned the local chimneys of the area we were in on vacation. She would be looking at the ocean and I would be looking to the sky. She now understands since she joined our business full time.

ESCHFOE was great as always.

Most of the nations that attended are dealing with the same challenges they have been dealing with for the last

S W E E P I N G November 2016

several years. Deregulation and heating fuel requirement changes are sharply on the agenda of many of the attendees. All of the attendees are always friendly and welcoming of our association delegates. It is always an honor for me to attend and represent our Guild.

As I write this article, I have joy in my heart and a smile on my face thinking about the special things we share in this industry. I hope and pray you are all enjoying the fall. Be safe out there.

Whether you are checking out chimneys, pondering about life, or simply checking out the weather, always keep “looking up�!

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H

appy November Sweeps and welcome the government affairs issue of Sweeping.

This July I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association Government Affairs Academy in Washington, D.C. There we had the opportunity to learn from HPBA government affairs staff, Washington lobbyists, state and local lobbyists, and media coaches on how best to represent our industry. I also had the opportunity to lobby on Capitol Hill and discuss the work the NCSG and CSIA are doing with congressional and senate offices.

The trip was a wonderful opportunity to teach congressional staffers about the hearth industry and how chimney sweeps play an important role in consumer safety. I also got to follow up with the Indiana senate offices

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about the positive economic impact the Technology Center has on our local community.

If you are interested in getting involved or just want to learn more I encourage you to check out our interview with HPBA Government Affairs staff on page 16.

Editor’s

Letter Darcy Marlett Editor

Other parts of the issue you won’t want to miss include Jeremy Biswell’s President’s Letter this month about his trip to the ESCHFOE conference in Italy, this month’s History Project about the White House fireplaces and Taylor Hill’s article about negativity in the workplace.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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Is Negativity Poisoning Your Workplace & Your Marketing?

Taylor Hill

Spark Marketer egativity in the workplace is like a vine: You can either cut it off where it starts or let it grow and spread – there’s not really an in between. And just like rampant vines can choke their healthy neighbors, you can bet negativity in your workplace will spread into other things, including your marketing.

Is negativity poisoning your workplace and your marketing? If you’re allowing negative thoughts and words, it’s time to make a change.

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Do You Have An Office Debbie Downer?

Several years ago, there was an SNL TV sketch character called “Debbie Downer.” No matter what the topic of discussion or the situation, she always found a negative angle.

And what inevitably happened in each skit?

She brought everyone around her down.

November 2016

The little jingle starts: “You’re enjoying your day, everything’s going your way, then along comes Debbie Downer.”

Throughout each episode, you just watch the positivity drain out of everyone around Debbie.

Everyone tries to brush off her negativity, but if you’ve ever been around someone who’s constantly and consistently negative, you know it’s exhausting. But the real trouble with having or being a Debbie Downer in the workplace is no one can really get up and leave.

According to CNNMoney, Americans with fulltime jobs report working around 47 hours each week. That’s a lot of time spent with coworkers, managers, and bosses. Regardless of whether your employees spend the majority of that time working with your office Debbie Downer or out on their own, facing the negativity each and

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every day and knowing it’ll be there waiting for them in the morning can be spirit-crushing.

Spread that around to your crew and every encounter with a customer can turn into a marketing nightmare.

But what if the negativity is starting at the top with you?

Fight or Flight What if I told you that focusing on the negative was natural, but not beneficial? We’re somewhat conditioned to look for the negative, because, evolutionarily speaking, we didn’t have to worry about the positive; it was missing the negative, the threat, that could mean the end for us.

Our innate “fight or flight” response developed necessarily.

After all, when you’re face to face with a life or death situation like a lion encounter, you have to act quickly and make the right choice to survive. But in terms of maintaining a positive attitude and positive thoughts, a fight or flight response can be just as “life or death” for your business.

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Consider this: If you get a phone call that one of your trucks is on the side of the road and your tech is going to miss his next appointment, what is your response likely to be?

You may have a freak out, use up your daily profanity allotment, and even take it out on the tech or the customer whose appointment is being compromised.

Or you may react in a way that doesn’t involve negatively internalizing the situation or throwing the day away. You figure out a way to get the tech to the appointment or send someone in his place. If

November 2016

that’s not possible, you offer your customer an apology and a discount or free service, and find a way to make sure the rest of the day’s appointments are covered.

In the first response, you’re fighting the reality, internalizing the situation, allowing it to negatively impact your day, and letting it leave you feeling angry and victimized. And that negativity is going to transfer to those involved, including the tech, the customer, and potentially anyone else you encounter throughout your day. You’ve chosen negativity, and anything else that happens that day will likely have a negative angle.

In the second response, you’re accepting the reality (which is the first step in dealing with the reality), and stepping back in order to properly and constructively react. You’re taking what’s in your hands and seeing what you can make of it, instead of simply staring at the mess and letting it make you angrier and angrier. And since you’re not internalizing that negativity, you’re not going to feed it or pass it along to those you come in contact with. That means your day has the freedom to be whatever it can be.

See how your response can make all the difference? The circumstances are the same; the outcome is what you make of it.

You Have the Power to Change & Create Your World Most people aren’t truly negative or positive 100% of the time, but the key to warding off negativity is awareness.

Here are some tips to help you nip negativity in the bud: • Imagine directing your selftalk to someone else. Would you speak differently and show more grace, patience, and kindness if you were speaking to someone else?

• Listen to yourself. Sometimes we don’t realize how we’re speaking to ourselves because our self-talk is so automated.

Really take the time to listen to how you speak to yourself.

Try rebooting your self-talk by speaking positively about yourself, with intent. Even if it feels unnatural at first, it can have a positive impact and help you change the way you speak and think on autopilot.

• Remind yourself that negative talk and negative thoughts can have a negative impact on your self-esteem, your performance, and your relationships. You’re not just hurting yourself when you feed negativity and speak negatively to yourself and about yourself.

• Stop expecting perfection.

No one – not you, not your employees, not your customers – will be perfect at any point.

Accept that imperfections are part of being human and that a weakness, flaw, or mistake is not forbidden or uncommon.

• Let go. Remember, when you internalize and hold onto negativity, be it towards yourself, a customer, or an employee, you’re setting everyone involved up for failure. You’re making way for even more negativity.

Let go of the past and move forward with a fresh slate.

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When you allow negative thoughts and language to repeatedly shape your world and your outlook, you inevitably create a toxic workplace. Your employees can pick up on that negativity, whether it comes from you, a manager, or another staff member. If an employee turns negative, all the marketing dollars in the world cannot change their attitude towards a customer.

That’s why it’s imperative that you watch what you say and what you think, and weed out the Debbie Downers. There will always be things outside of your control, but you choose how

10 S W E E P I N G November 2016

you view your world and what you’re willing to let live or die in your workplace. Swap out the negativity for positivity and watch your worldview and your business change!

Taylor Hill is Co-Founder and Crew Chief for Spark Marketer, a local online marketing company specializing in marketing for service businesses across the US. He loves the chimney industry and is passionate about helping service business owners navigate the Internet oceans filled with sharks and unsavory pirates. @ sparkmarketer, facebook.com/sparkmarketer, @taylorkhill

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Stop Calling Them Sales

nderstandably there is a great concern about boosting sales in every company I visit. What that always means is we want/ expect our technicians to do more selling in the field.

Translation? We want more add on sales and more closing of bids while in the home. All of this equates to expecting guys who see themselves primarily as technicians to also become sales people. We want guys to become salespeople who like to view themselves as the nice man who comes to your home to sweep and inspect your fireplace and chimney, fix a few problems he may encounter along the way, hand you a report about what your system needs to make it work better, get a nice thank you for his politeness and helpfulness, and head off to his next appointment.

Here’s the problem, that nice guy tech neither wants to be a salesman nor to be viewed as a salesman. Why? For the same reason most of us feel that way. Salesmen have a bad reputation. Salesmen are pushy, manipulative, insincere, and don’t have anyone’s best interest in mind but their own.

They are associated with used cars, insurance, unsolicited promotional mail or, worse, unsolicited phone calls. No one wants to be a salesman. When you meet a salesman and ask what he does for a living, he will never use the term salesman to describe himself. Instead, he will usually tell you he’s in sales.

It sounds more respectable, more high level, more sophisticated, more business to business, and less like the guy

12 S W E E P I N G November 2016

who comes into your home, finds a lot of things wrong with a fireplace you thought was just fine, and tries to get you to sign up for $5,000 of repair.

That presents a problem for most sweep businesses. Because, just like every other business, they rely on sales for revenue.

And, the guys who are face to face with their customers in the field every single day don’t want to be or know how to be salesmen. So, what to do?

Here’s the simple answer and it’s not some sleight of hand or just some way to spin their job so they see themselves differently.

It’s the truth. The first thing is for you, the owner/boss/ manager to stop calling it sales.

Stop asking each morning about add on sales from yesterday.

Stop asking if they asked for and got the bid on whatever work they proposed yesterday.

It’s the wrong question because you are asking it of professional chimney and venting technicians, not salesmen.

What you should be asking of your professional technicians is this, did you do everything you could to serve our customers yesterday. Because, if they did, it would have to include the following: 1. Explaining to each homeowner in clear, easy to understand language, free from technical jargon and free from drama, exactly what the issues are with the system they were there to sweep and diagnose; 2. Making sure the homeowner understood the implication of those issues and why they need to be addressed; 3. Asking if the customer is

planning to burn the system in the upcoming cold season; and, when the answer is yes, as it will probably be most of the time; 4. Encouraging them to let you schedule the repairs as soon as possible.

How is this different from sales?

It isn’t. But it comes at sales from another perspective, one that enables your professional technicians to see the truth of their professional obligation.

They can certainly understand the need to explain the chimney/system issues they’ve discovered to the customer. That is clearly within the realm of their responsibilities as a venting professional. That is what they are there for. To find issues and not report them would be a clear

violation of their responsibility.

But that is only the first part of their responsibility. Here’s why.

It would be equally remiss to leave without making it clear that the issues they’ve found need to be addressed before the system is used again. Why? Because by taking this next step they are putting the chimney issues in a proper context. They are alerting the customer in no uncertain terms that these issues need attention. And to make that point as powerfully as possible, they need to at least ask to schedule an appointment for the work to be done.

This is not about commissions or profits or being able to make a satisfactory report at the morning meeting. No. This about one thing only, the

wellbeing of that customer.

And as soon as your techs begin to see that simple truth, they will stop feeling like a salesman and start feeling like they are simply performing their duty as a professional chimney/venting technician.

Look at it this way. What if we went to our doctor for a physical and once the physical was completed the doctor informed us we had an appendix that was infected…but he never suggested we actually have the surgery to remove it? What are we to think? Is this a serious problem? Do I have to take care of it right away? I mean I feel ok, so can I just continue as is until it gets worse?

See what I mean? Without our physician telling us quite

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pointedly that this is a serious problem that should be taken care of as soon as possible, and actually trying to find a date to schedule the surgery, we might leave his office thinking it isn’t that important.

Are doctors sales people? No. They are professional health care technicians. And, as such it is their duty to not only report whatever issues they find with our health, but to make every attempt to get us to address those issues as soon as possible.

So, have your technicians ask themselves this. Are they doing their job if they find serious flaws in a chimney/venting system, i.e. flaws that reveal a potential hazard for the system, and make no effort to have the customer address those flaws? Because, that is all they are doing when the try to get the customer to schedule the work. They are telling the customer it’s important to fix the flaws.

Furthermore, if the customer is reluctant to schedule the work then and there, the technician should at least elicit a promise from the customer not to use the system again until it is fixed.

That makes it a clear the issue is not about money or commissions. It is, as it should always be, about the wellbeing of the customer. When we always make that our primary concern, sales will come automatically. You’ll be happy. And, your technicians won’t have to struggle with the idea of being a salesman.

Greg is an industry educator and coach. He served for many years as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Copperfield Chimney Supply. Greg is a member of the CVC Coaching Team. For more information about Greg and how the CVC team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at www.cvccoaching. com Greg can be contacted at greg@cvccoaching.com.

Follow Greg on Twitter at Greg-cvccoach@Ttrader108

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Hearth Industry Government Affairs Update Do you see regulatory and legislative issues affecting your business?

NCSG staff and volunteers work to represent the chimney sweeping industry on code councils and work with government agencies. We also work closely with our colleagues at the HPBA on issues affecting the hearth industry.

Rachel Feinstein and John Crouch from the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association sat down with Sweeping Magazine this month for an interview on what regulatory issues are affecting the hearth industry and how sweeps can be involved.

How would you describe your job with the HPBA? John Crouch, HPBA Director of Public Affairs: I help HPBA members and affiliates with local issues, especially in the western U.S. and Canada. I also focus on wood burning issues, both locally and with USEPA. Recently, I have begun working on NetZero Energy Issues.

Rachel Feinstein, Manager of Government Affairs: As Manager of Government Affairs, I represent HPBA members in meetings with Congressional staff, legislators, regulators, and coalition work. Most of my work focuses on biomass issues, such

16 S W E E P I N G November 2016

as advocating for extension of the 25C tax credit for biomass stoves, providing interpretation of EPA's new standards for new wood heaters for legislative staff, and identifying coalition opportunities for HPBA to participate in. I also manage our grassroots advocacy center, create fact sheets and infographics to communicate our policy positions, and write comments on peripheral industry issues.

What are the top current issues facing the hearth industry currently?

Rachel: The two biggest issues chimney sweeps should be aware of are the possible extension of the 25C tax credit for biomass stoves that are at least 75 percent efficient and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for New Residential Wood Heaters.

The HPBA has been working since the beginning of this year to extend the 25C tax credit for efficient biomass stoves, which is set to expire December 31, 2016. The credit, which may be claimed on your tax return for up to $300 for purchasing a biomass stove that is at least 75 percent efficient, has typically been extended retroactively at the end of each

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legislative session. Although it is good to see the credit extended each year, it does not properly incentivize purchases as it is not often extended forward into the following year during which retailers could promote it to their customers. A legislative vehicle for extension of this tax credit may emerge this fall.

John: Search, most state Senate and/or assembly websites allow you to search for terms and almost all allow you to request email updates on a bill once you identify it. The First 30-60 days of a new year are the most important for a new session (which in most states means the year following an election, such as 2017)

The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for New Residential Wood Heaters also is an ongoing issue we are working on. After almost 6 months of waiting to hear from EPA on whether they are willing to negotiate HPBA's issues with the NSPS Step 2, we have received word from EPA that they would like to proceed to arguments in court. The decision is disappointing and HPBA's solid fuel hearth appliance manufacturers met two weeks ago to determine next steps. The Section has decided to proceed to full briefing before the court. They are determined not to let this drop and will continue their work on this issue.

Rachel: Subscribe to the weekly Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) emails which provide good updates on building code adoptions at the state level. Also, if you are an HPBA member of your local affiliate, join your affiliate's Government Affairs Committee or code coordinator program. Get involved, be the eyes and ears for the industry and communicate with your peers and HPBA staff.

How can hearth professionals get involved with national legislation?

John: HPBA’s Advocacy grass roots system is a great place to start.

18 S W E E P I N G

Rachel: HPBA's Advocacy Center enables HPBA members to more effectively and easily connect with their elected officials at the federal and state levels. With the increase in federal regulations and legislation affecting the industry, it is more important than ever to make our voices heard. The platform provides members with pre-written, editable emails that can be sent to elected officials without having to search for a legislator's email contact form online; everything is in one central location. In addition to the email Legislative Action Center, members have access to information about legislation HPBA is actively following, voter registration information, search for any legislator, additional links and resources, and guidance for members who would like to host a plant tour for an elected official. It is critical for hearth professionals to contact their elected officials, either via email or phone (talking points provided) in order to reinforce HPBA's message to legislators and their staff.

What are good ways for hearth professionals to get more involved with state and local legislation?

November 2016

Where can hearth professionals who want to learn more go to find information?

Rachel: Our website does have a lot of information.

Our Advocacy Center connects you to the email platform, list of legislation HPBA is following, voter registration search, legislator search, and links and resources relevant to the industry's interests such as the Congressional schedule and plant tour guide.

Our website pages on the tax credit, NSPS, wood heater changeout programs, Department of Energy and hearth products, gas fireplace glass safety, and codes & standards are updated frequently, especially the list of ongoing changeouts across North America.

History

Project Claire Rutledge

Prgram Coordinator

W

e are all very aware of the history of the White House. We all know about its design, its ever-changing role as the role of the President changed, and its many modifications. What is less known is the history of its chimneys and fireplaces.

Those too have been greatly modified over the centuries. They’ve changed with different needs in mind, sometimes being updated to the most modern technology and sometimes being restored to their near original state. Some went from wood to coal, some went from being essential for daily life to being closed up or for decorative use only.

In any case, let’s delve into a short history of the home and the people who have left their mark on it.

At the time the White House — or “Presidents Palace” as it was originally called — was built, American homes were heated almost exclusively with wood heat. James Hoban’s winning building design was started in 1792 and the project was mostly done by the time the Adams Administration moved in in 1800. Originally there were 39 fireplaces for the original 36 rooms.

Many stonemasons left their marks, and if you visit the White House today you can still see

“Oh the Things This Soot Has Seen:” The Fireplaces of the White House many in the sandstone of the great fireplace in the old kitchen of the ground floor. When the Adams administration moved in the house was still unfinished and the plaster walls still wet, so all 39 fireplaces were lit to help dry. This led to the then small town of Washington DC completely running out of firewood for a brief time. Being such a large home, and with the young republic struggling in its first decades, the first chapter in the home’s history was cold and drafty. Even when there was not an issue getting firewood, lighting and maintain a fire in each of the fireplaces took an enormous amount of staff time. After being burned basically to the ground in 1814 by invading British forces the White House was rebuilt, including the chimneys and fireplaces. James Hoban was chosen again to be in charge of the project and the White House was rebuilt to the original plans.

Although Hoban stuck to the original plans, most administrations made aesthetic changes over the years. Andrew Jackson installed a Russian stove in the Lincoln Bedroom, closing up the wood burning fireplace. Later administrations reopened the fireplace and removed the stove. In the Family Dining Room a coal burning appliance

November 2016

19 S W E E P I N G

was placed in the 1800s, which again was removed in favor of the original fireplace. This time however it was designed in the taste of the contemporary time with polished brass and Minton tilework. Ever the outdoorsman, Theodore Roosevelt mounted a moose head above the fireplace in the State Dining Room and had the mantel’s original carved marble lions changed into bison.

This 1902 mantel was removed

by Truman and in its place went a sleek black marble mantel.

A replica of the 1902 mantel was installed by the Kennedy administration. Perhaps the most lasting addition to the White House fireplaces is John Adams’ blessing, which now is on the State Dining Room mantel. Abagail was struggling to maintain such a large, drafty, unfinished home

with insufficient help and even less support (financially and otherwise) from Congress. On November 1st, 1800, John wrote to her, saying, “I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.” Franklin D. Roosevelt had this carved into the mantel during his presidency.

Currently, there are 28 fireplaces and 12 chimneys for 132 rooms.

The home is now heated with modern appliances but the fireplaces and chimneys play an important role in presenting the historic home to the public. For almost every official holiday the fireplaces are richly decorated, the most well-known being for Christmas. Fun fact: even Santa has to have a Secret Service

credential. NCSG member companies from all over the country have swept the White House chimneys over the decades. During this time we’ve collected mementos like vacuum bags, soot, letters, and photos.

We look forward to collecting even more!

Bibliography https://www.whitehousehistory.org http://www.whitehousemuseum.org https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/2012/12/14/remarks-first-ladychildrens-national-medical-center https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/ Inside-White-House

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Michael Smithers | Mike’s Stove Service & Installation | Waterloo

Matthew Parker | Pennsylvania Chimney Co. | Exton

Gene Herring | Nexus Chimney Services | Apex

Paul Meyers | The Lint King Inc. | Schaumburg

Barry Stout | Wasatch Dryer Vent Cleaning | Sandy

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4 45 5 56 6 6 21 S W E E P I N G November 2016

Technical

Q&A

Micheal Segerstrom

NCSG Technical Advisory Chair

Question: Can local, state or federal regulation of affiliated trades affect me, a chimney service professional?

22 S W E E P I N G

Answer: Yes! Depending on our state and service area, working as a chimney service professional can feel like a very unique and isolated trade.

And as long as our state isn’t making regulations for us, we can almost feel immune.

When it comes to regulation of construction trades, chimney service professionals can even be the exception to the rule.

This is where being active in the industry can become very important. Participating with and interacting with our State or Regional Guilds or Associations, and the NCSG, will definitely help to keep us current on regulation of our trade, and even affiliated trades.

About 10 years ago a law was in the works in New Jersey that would regulate HVACR contractors. Simple enough.

Create a Regulation and Licensing Board, and require HVACR contractors to hold and maintain this license. At first, chimney sweeps in New Jersey paid little attention.

But upon closer scrutiny of this law, wording in it was actually going to require chimney sweeps to hold and maintain this license to work on chimneys. The law made it all the way to the governor's desk, before chimney service professionals in New Jersey found out about this detail.

Hard work on the part of a couple of individuals, with support from the state Guild, secured a conditional veto from the governor that gave exemption to chimney sweeps. It was a close call, that came down to the 11th hour.

But many chimney service

November 2016

professionals in New Jersey had no idea that this was coming, that it almost happened, or that a veto was secured. Because they were not involved.

Other states have similar regulation that actually passed.

In some cases, chimney service professionals were completely unaware until it was far too late. These companies are now required to have a mechanical or HVAC contractor’s license, or work with a contractor who has this license. Even for chimney relining, which is obviously a service that we perform.

Changes in Hearth Appliance industry regulations can also affect the chimney service professional. As an example, many chimney sweeps service and even install wood stoves. New federal regulations have limited the number of available stoves in 2016, and future regulation in 2020 will dramatically limit wood stove options.

Some states and local jurisdictions are developing or already have specific regulations and requirements for the installation of hearth appliances. It may be necessary to be a licensed or registered hearth appliance installer. If we are a chimney sweep that performs hearth appliance installation, and we are not aware of pending legislation in that industry, we might suddenly be surprised that we can't install hearth appliances anymore.

And regulation of affiliated trades can be a two-way street at times. A regulation issue has come up recently in New Jersey that is a good example of this.

CSP328_National Chimney Sweep 2/3 Ad_Final_R1_CSP328_National Chimney Sweep 2/3 Page_Final_

Chimney service professionals have been exempt from the HVAC regulation, to continue to work as chimney service professionals. The exemption is not of the entire regulation.

It only allows chimney sweeps to continue to do their specific chimney and venting work. They can't install furnaces and mechanical equipment, or perform other HVAC related services without having the license.

Areas of the state have recently begun to enforce the HVAC regulation, and one of the residual effects has been that hearth appliance installers are no longer allowed to install gas piping.

The Hearth Industry in NJ attempted to identify themselves as chimney service professionals, to claim exemption from the HVACR regulation, in order to install gas lines. At one point, representatives of the Hearth Industry were having discussions with State officials, attempting to provide an official definition of a chimney service professional.

This was being done without support or involvement from the chimney service industry in New Jersey, which could have had a big adverse effect on chimney sweeps.

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It became a frustrating situation for both Hearth Appliance installers and chimney service professionals.

Eventually, representatives from both industries were able to reach an understanding and common ground. The hearth industry will be working towards getting its own exemption, and chimney service professional exemption will remain undisturbed.

These are just a few examples. And each of these examples supports the need for us to be active in our regional and national organizations. Depending on our market and service area, it can also be valuable to be members of the affiliated trade organizations too.

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I

n the world of phone apps, robot factories and self-driving cars, for a man to take a trowel in hand and lay bricks in lime mortar, course by course, can seem like traveling in time to a distant past. Working with bricks and mortar was the main event at the Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals course put on by the CSIA in the 2nd week of September in the 16th year of the 21st Century, in Richmond, Indiana.

For three days, every morning at 8 a.m. a group of dedicated chimney sweeps arrived at SaverSystems, LLC, tucked away on North H street in Richmond.

SaverSystems develops, manufactures and distributes products for the chimney industry.

A growing company, it uses contemporary business and manufacturing techniques to supply the chimney industry with innovative products.

A couple years ago, SaverSystems recently bought one of those abandoned brick industrial buildings

in Richmond. “We were bursting at the seams,” Meredith told me.

The building used to be a garage door manufacturing plant. “I love this place,” said mason and instructor Chris Prior as he and Meredith gave me a tour of the facility.

Prior’s excitement was tangible as he showed us around the building. “There’s all kinds of crazy garage doors everywhere!” He said. “Look at that one, that’s like something that opens up and a rocket’s gonna come popping out!”

Meredith and Prior have converted part of the building into an educational facility that includes a classroom, an area for hands on masonry instruction, and a separate testing lab with two identical fireplaces that bristle with wires from thermocouples, sitting side by side next to a humidity controlled room to store the wood used in testing exercises.

November 2016

25 S W E E P I N G

The CSIA is fortunate to have the use of the facility for training purposes, and the Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals course, hosted by Meredith and taught by Prior, was the first course of its kind to take place at the facility.

The 3-day course (Sept 12-15th, 2016) covered the history of masonry construction in the western world, the basics on how masonry materials are manufactured, and the different types of mortar and the basic chemistry that makes mortar work. Many serious masons are highly attuned to the chemical processes that happen inside mortar, and Prior is no exception. He taught us about the lime cycle, the types of mortar, and how to mix each type of mortar from scratch, rather than using the premixed type.

26 S W E E P I N G

Then it was into the warehouse, where nine workstations were set up for the students to learn basic bricklaying techniques.

We used lime mortar, which is three parts sand to one-part quicklime, so that we could take walls apart after they were built and reuse the mortar. “The longer you slake lime mortar,” said Prior, “The better gets.”

As part of the CSIA’s continuing education programs developed

by Ashley Eldridge, the course is one of many ways for CSIA certified sweeps to enhance and develop skills for chimney sweeps. Day one included learning how to use a mason’s spacing rule to ensure even mortar joints and measure out courses, setting up and using line blocks, how to tell the exact

November 2016

point when the mortar is the perfect consistency, and actual placement of bricks in the mortar beds.

Each team, after completing their arch, posed for a photograph in front of their creation.

Day two, we jumped straight into building masonry arches.

We started in the classroom, where Prior teaches the mathematical formula he uses to calculate perfect arch forms.

It involves some algebra, some geometry, and a lot of new vocabulary. Do you know the difference between an extrados and an intrados? How to calculate the skew angle?

Three ways to figure out the radius of the arch?

The difference between a jack arch and a roman arch?

Day 3 was about building a brick chimney chase, using 2 foot levels and four foot levels to construct a plumb, square chimney structure.

If not, you might want to take this course.

I’ve read through Prior’s curriculum on masonry arches before, but during the class I learned one thing for sure: building an arch is different than reading about building an arch.

All of the students had formed into teams of two, and each team set out to build an arch form, and after that, an actual arch from bricks and mortar.

Building an arch form for a fireplace opening first requires that the mason lay out the fireplace opening, according to calculations incorporating the flue size, the size of the bricks, and the height of the arch. Then we built the arch supports, and after the first few courses of bricks were down, we placed the form into the opening. Special care is taken to make sure the courses of bricks will line up on top of the arch, using what is called a “story pole.”

Since it was the first time Prior taught the course at the facility, there were a few bumps in the road. They plan to get a ‘wet saw’ and a mortar mixer for the next course. But the three days came and went without mishap, and all of the sweeps involved seemed to enjoy it. Prior’s irreverent sense of humor helped make the class fun, and during the 3rd day, Mr. Meredith shared a few remarks about how sweeps can use these skills to increase revenues. He said it was rare to have the opportunity to get personal instruction from somebody who is among the best in the business, distilling 30 years of experience, many things he learned in the school of hard knocks, into a 3-day course.

Of course, you can’t learn 30 years’ worth of lessons in three days, Meredith said, but you can use what you’ve learned for the rest of your life.

A lot of the value I see, which makes the trip well worth the expenditure of time and money to get there, is the fact that we can share those skills with our colleagues back home, therefore adding exponentially increasing the value of the course.

T

rademark violations are a big deal!! A trademark is a word, symbol, slogan or device (logo design) that identifies the goods and services of one party and distinguishes them from those of another. In some instances, it is also a mark that projects reliability, security and credibility which many look for when in need of a service.

The NCSG and CSIA rely on fellow sweeps and homeowners to report trademark violations in their areas. Everyday there are those in the industry who are content to unlawfully profit from the good name and reputation of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and NCSG members.

Upon notification of a trademark violation, each offender is required to sign a Cease and Desist form stating that they will remove all trademarks until such time that they have met the trademark use requirements. In the case of those who continue to violate

the trademark use, the violator could be fined and subject to a 2-year restriction for membership in the NCSG or the opportunity to hold a CSIA credential.

Although funding is not available to take legal action in each and every trademark violation, there have been some cases where continued misuse of the mark has warranted such action.

Procedures for filing an NCSG trademark violation can be found by going to www.ncsg.org website and accessing the Code of Ethics link or for a CSIA trademark violation by going to the www. csia.org website and accessing the Code of Ethics link. In order to process a trademark violation, it is important that complete contact information is provided with the violation complaint form along with a copy of advertising showing the use of the trademark.

Progressive

Perks Debbie Cornelius

Membership Development Coordinator

Let’s Revisit Trademark Violators!

27 S W E E P I N G November 2016

Dates and

Events November 2016

28 S W E E P I N G

November 7-13, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 14-20, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 21-27, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 28 – December 4, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

November 2016

December 2016 December 5-11, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 12-18, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 19-25, 2016 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 26 – January 1, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

January 2017 January 2-8, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org January 9-15, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org January 16-22, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning

- Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.orgJanuary 23-29, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org January 30 – February 5, 2017 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

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CSIA UPDATE November 2016 Report

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CSIA Responds to Angie’s List Promotion of do-it-yourself Chimney Sweeping

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November 2016 Report

Newly Certified Chimney Sweeps Alabama

Jacksonville

Missouri

Charles “Kee” McClain | Top Hat Chimney Sweeps | Opelika

Shawn Breckley | Doodlebuggers Service Network | Pensacola

Colter Young | Allison Heating, Cooling, & Chimney Services | Marshall

California

Illinois

Doug Howe | Weststar Chimney Sweeps | Chula Vista

Elvis Carreon | Chicagoland Fireplace & Chimney Restoration | Berkeley

Michael Reno | Sleep Easy Chimney Services | Kansas City

Tanner Pietrocci | White Glove Chimney & Duct | Redding

David Eichholzer | Inferno Chimney Sweeps | Shorewood

Colorado

Stan Nowicki | Inferno Chimney Sweeps | Shorewood

Martha Neitz | Dr. SOOT, Chimney Sweep | Colorado Springs Louis Neitz | Dr. SOOT, Chimney Sweep | Colorado Springs Cameron Carlson | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney | Evergreen Sterling Harris | Purity Clean Professionals | Colorado Springs Alan Mason, Jr. | FlameMaster | Woodland Park Alan Mason, Sr. | FlameMaster | Woodland Park Stephen Lochner | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney | Evergreen

Indiana Brady Moss | Schlemmer Brothers Hearth and Home | Wabash Miles Owens | Bone Dry Masonry | Zionsville Jordan Whitt | Chimney Safety Institute of America | Plainfield Kansas Aubrey Leiter | The Fluesbrothers Chimney Service | Kansas City Ryan Whitehair | The Fluesbrothers Chimney Service | Kansas City

Dalton Driggs | American Chimney Cleaning | Freeman Buster Pruente | Chimney Specialist | Raymore Steven Cornwall | Complete Home Concepts Inc. | Riverside Brian St. John | Complete Home Concepts Inc. | Riverside New Hampshire Rick Fredrickson | Capital Chimney Service | Concord New Jersey Corey Keefe | Assured Fireplace and Chimney | Hammonton Ernest Tedesco | Liberty Chimneys | Woodland Park

Jovani Becerra-Castell | The Fluesbrothers Chimney Service | Kansas City

New Mexico

Zachary Brady | Full Service Chimney | Olathe

Patrick Trujillo | Bailey’s Chimney Cleaning & Repair

Kristopher Sanderson | Full Service Chimney | Olathe

Stewart Edwards | Terry’s Chimney Service | Taos

Massachusetts

Steve Burke | Clean Sweep | Santa Fe

Preston Lambert | Purity Clean Professionals | Colorado Springs

Shaun McKenna | AEGIS Engineering Services | Rockland

New York

Scott Cortelyou | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney | Evergreen

Michael Cilluffo | Sweepnman | North Reading

Pierce deKoevend | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney Sweep | Evergreen

Michigan

Fran Martin | Mr. Chimney Clean | Mamaroneck

Ryan Laylin | Top Hat Chimney Sweep Services | Dowagiac

Brian Duggan | Brooklyn Sweep | Brooklyn

Minnesota

Michael Smithers | Mike’s Stove Service & Installation | Waterloo

Christopher Kelley | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney | Evergreen Keith Erickson | Chimney Doctors | Bailey James Holmes | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney | Evergreen Nathan Partin | Service Monkey | Silverthorne

Blanche Pedigo | Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney Sweep | Evergreen Justin Drapeau | Clean Sweep Chimney Sweep | Colorado Springs Florida Michael Wood | JAX Chimney |

Collin Pedersen | Lakeview Masonry | Duluth Joshua Lindstrom | The Chimney Pros | Woodbury ADVERTISEMENT

Tim Ortiz | Bailey’s Chimney Cleaning & Repair | Taos

Adam Deutsch | Mr. Chimney Clean | Mamaroneck

North Carolina Rodney Watson | Smoke Alert | Garner

www.CSIA.org Larry Vandermark | Chimneys Plus | Pittsboro Deven Gentry | Bob Davis Chimney and Fireplace | Gastonia Dougla Gipe | Chimneys Plus | Pittsboro Ohio Andy Young | Blackburn’s Chimney Sweeps | Columbus

Virginia

Texas

Steven Slabaugh | Blue Ridge Chimney Services | Harrisonburg

Colin Trudo | Blackmon Mooring Services | Haltom City

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Illinois

Jason Mui | Leonard & Sons Bldg.

Service | Algonquin

Oregon

North Carolina

Mackenzie Bower | American Chimney & Masonry | Portland

Terry Cowart | Heaven’s Best | Hertford

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Grant Boughter | Wells & Sons Chimney Service | Gilbertsville

Dan L’Herbier | Air Duct Maintenance | Bakerstown

Texas

Kevin L’Herbier | Air Duct Maintenance | Bakerstown

Titian Titzman | Country Chimney Sweep | Poth

Lou Marrazzi | J & L Chimney | Stewartstown

Henry Baker | Pur-Vent | Cary

Steven J. Seymour | Blackmon Mooring Services | Haltom City Shawn Primeaux | Blackmon Mooring Services | Haltom City Utah Barry Stout| Wasatch Dryer Vent Cleaning | Sandy Virginia Rodney Barnes | A-1 Chimney Sweep & Dryer Vent Service | Springfield Sergey Gardner | Black Goose Chimney Sweep | Newport News Wisconsin Mark Tessmer | K-tech Kleening Systems | Weston

Cody Dietz | Chimney Chief | Briscoe

Newly Certified MASTER SWEEPS Jim Brewer | Magic Sweep Corporation | Chesapeake, VA Jay Walker | Jay Walker Enterprises | Tallahassee, FL

MASTER

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps Renewing with CEUs Alan Bopp | Bald Eagle Enterprises | Sandpoint, ID Michael Elliott | Central New England Chimney Sweeps | North Oxford, MA Greg Gibbs | Smokey’s Chimney Sweep | Bethlehem, PA

Contact Us:

Quinton Rielly | Chimney Solutions | Alpharetta, GA Chris Timmons | Fireplace and Chimney Professionals | Ottsille, PA

Mailing Address 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 Telephone (317) 837-5362 Email: Office@CSIA.org Twitter: @Chimney_Safety

Ready to become a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician?

Give us a call at (317) 837-5362!

Facebook: /ChimneySafety ADVERTISEMENT

November 2016 Report Meet Your CSIA Board Members: Michael Segerstrom

has been in business for 12 years.

We are a 2 truck company and my wife Kathy is my business partner.

We specialize in all levels of NFPA 211 chimney inspections, and offer a wide variety of repair and installation services.

Where Mike will be in 15 years: Still active in giving back to the industry through committee and board work, as well as teaching and Consulting.

And hopefully only in a supervisory role at my own company.

Hometown: I was born in Somerville New Jersey, and raised in Bedminster New Jersey till the age of 16. Settled in Bridgewater a few years later and have been there ever since.

How he got his start in the industry: In my mid-twenties I was doing tree work and a friend of mine was working on chimneys. He assumed I wasn’t afraid of heights, and asked me if I wanted to try something new, that the chimney industry was exciting and very interesting. I had some fears about heights, but got over them, and I have been working

on chimneys ever since.

Why CSIA certification is important to Mike: It’s sets me and my certified employees apart from those that are not. It requires us to know and understand our trade, and has continuing education requirements that helps certified chimney sweeps stay current. And being a certified Chimney Sweep makes us a part of a very special family with other certified sweeps throughout the country About Mike’s business: My company, Bridgewater chimney sweeps LLC,

Best piece of advice he’s ever been given (and from whom): Those that forget to remember, are condemned to repeat. Heard it from an older gentleman that was a friend of the family, that also said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing more than once and expecting different results.

A little more about Mike: In my free time I enjoy fishing, camping, and projects around the house.

The best thing about the chimney service industry, is the people in it.

Many great people have helped me along the way in this industry, so every chance I get, I try to give back however I can. If you feel the industry has helped you, the best thing you can do, is give back to it.

CSIA Education Roadshow

Excellence in Education. Delivered.

To-your-door expertise.

grow your business.

CSIA Education Roadshow allows you to experience the industry standard in chimney sweep education and earn valuable CEUs through in-person courses provided by one of CSIA’s expert instructors at YOUR event.

Including CSIA Roadshow as part of your event will provide you with several opportunities for promoting your company or product, both onsite during the session, as well as through CSIA’s social networks and e-newsletter.

Leverage the CSIA’s network and

Get started.

ADVERTISEMENT

Literally anyone who wants to include a CSIA Roadshow session and has access to a suitable location can submit a request.

Forr more information on how to bring CSIA education to your event, please contact CSIA Program Coordinator, Claire Rutledge, at (317) 837-5362.

Around the

Tech Center.

Frances Kelly

Executive Director

I hope your October found your company prosperous (but not too stressed) in the full swing of busy season. Here at the Tech Center we’re already experiencing an uptick in phone calls from homeowners looking to have their chimney’s swept before the holidays.

Speaking of holidays, the staff and I were proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and to wear our pink “Sweep Away Breast Cancer” t-shirts. You can find out more at www.sweepawaycancer.com.

We also hosted the CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician 2-Day Workshop, mailed out hundreds of membership packets (thank you for your renewals!), Program Coordinator Claire Rutledge mailed out invitations to our international guests. This year we mailed convention invites to over a dozen countries!

The staff and I wish you a yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

34 S W E E P I N G November 2016

Sweeps

A dvantage

The 2015 – 2016 offers with instructions on how to redeem are available in the “Members Only” section of the NCSG website at www.NCSG.org.

These coupons will be good until June 30, 2016 unless otherwise noted.

Cathedral Stone Products, Inc. | Copperfield Chimney Supply | ENERVEX, Inc. | Fireside Distributors | Firesafe Industries, Inc. | InO-Vate Dryer Products | National Chimney | Wakefield Brush .These are just a few of

the many offers available to you as a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Visit www.NCSG. org “Members Only” to learn the complete details of each coupon and how to redeem!

Add your company name to the list of participating supplier members!

Contact Debbie Cornelius, Membership Development Coordinator at dcornelius@ncsg. org.

Featured Coupons of the Month SAVE

SAVE

SAVE

National SAVE Chimney SAVE

SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE

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.

20% Off the purchase of M-Flex Stainless Steel Liner Kit Buy two (2) Stainless Steel M-Flex CB Kits and get a third Liner Kit (of equal or lesser value) at 50% Off FREE Shipping on $800 minimum order (Regularly minimum order of $1,000) Buy two (2) Aluminum Kits and get a third Kit at 50% Off 20% Off M-Flex Stainless Steel Liner when 100 ft. (or more) is purchased 15% Off Premier Flex Lite Liner 15% Off Co-Linear Caps and Kits 10% Off Pre-Insulated Liners and Kits 15% OFF Premier Damper Caps Buy five (5) M-Flex Liner Kits and get one (1) FREE

Classifieds

CLASSIFIED ADS FREE FOR NCSG MEMBERS Members can run one 35-word classified free each year! Regular classified ads are $2/word or $1/word for NCSG members. Classified ads are non-commissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Sara Sichting at ssichting@ncsg.org or 317-8371500.

35 S W E E P I N G November 2016

Darwin

Award “While we were inspecting and sweeping a condo project in Washington DC I noticed this chimney across the street.”

Andrew Raycroft, Rooftop Chimney Sweeps LLC in Alexandria, VA Have you snapped a photo of a peculiar chimney in your area that made you shake your head in disbelief?

Send it to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ ncsg.org. for publication in Sweeping. Or, mail it to NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. Include a few words about the scene and location.

Ad Index A Step In Time

757-754-1388

Ray@ChimneySweep.com

Cathedral Stone Products, Inc

800-684-0901

info@cathedralstone.com 23

Copperfield 800-247-3305 www.copperfield.com

Back Cover 5 and 9

CVC Coaching

704-425-0217

www.cvccoaching.com 10

Firesafe Industries, Inc.

800-545-6607

www.firesafeinc.com 14

Gelco™, Lyemance™, and Lock-Top®

www.gllchimneyproducts.com

15

ICP 508-695-7000 www.chimneycaps.com 21

36 S W E E P I N G

Lindemann Chimney Company

866-629-8006

www.lindemannsupply.com 13

National Chimney

800-897-8481

www.nationalchimney.com 17

Olympia Chimney Supply

800-569-1425

www.olympiachimney.com 11

Sand Hill Wholesale & Mfg., Inc

800-258-5496

www.sandhillwholesale.com 4

SaverSystems, Inc

800-860-6327

www.saversystems.com 27

TransContinental Equipment

514-937-9145

www.tce.ca 24

WeatherTite Inc.

800-711-9672

www.weathertiteinc.com 29

Ventech Industries

207-439-0069

info@ventechindustries.com 7

November 2016

O

F

W H A T ’

S

N

E

W

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