Issuu

OCTOBER 2026

SWEEPING THE JOURNAL OF CHIMNEY AND VENTING TECHNOLOGY

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

Roadmap to Journeyman A look at the CCJ certification and how experienced chimney professionals can take the next step in their careers.

Family Roots Byron Schramm shares how family experience, continued training, and certification have shaped his career in the chimney industry.

Chimney Collective Expands Six chimney and fireplace companies have joined Chimney Collective since its June launch, signaling a new growth model in the industry.

14 The Kit You Hope You Never Open What every sweep should know about first aid kits, OSHA requirements, and preparing for injuries in the field.

Building for the Long Haul Protecting technicians’ physical and mental health can help turn a demanding trade into a sustainable, decades-long career.

Four Questions That Help Homeowners Say Yes Clear communication during inspections can help homeowners understand recommended repairs and feel confident moving forward.

Understanding Care, Custody, and Control How moving a customer’s belongings can change whether property damage is covered by your general liability policy.

Where Will Tomorrow's Technicians Come From? Why solving the industry’s labor challenge may mean building career paths and developing technicians from within.

O C T O B E R 2026

Darwin Award

Have you ever seen some interesting things on the job?

Submit a photo with your name and location to marketing@ncsg.org.

SWEEPING THE JOURNAL OF CHIMNEY AND VENTING TECHNOLOGY

NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway Ankeny, Iowa 50023-7068 (317) 837-1500

October 2026, Volume 50 #9

Staff Kailah Schmitz, CAE, Executive Director director@ncsg.org

Policy ACTION CENTER Let us know what’s going on! Submit industry concerns to NCSG’s Policy Action Center. We post live on the website and look into how we can take action. While you’re there, you can also check out the blog for past issues we’ve addressed. Check your email and Facebook to stay up to date!

Jessica Thornton, Associate Director and Certifications Coordinator jessica@ncsg.org Jonathan Erdman, Director of Education education@ncsg.org Sydney Kaizer, Director of Marketing and Communications; Sweeping Editor marketing@ncsg.org Brittney Burton, Membership and Events Coordinator bburton@ncsg.org Libby Almendarez, Membership, Certifications, and Digital Coordinator office@ncsg.org

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Sweeping do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) or its staff. ADVERTISING To advertise, email Malisa Minetree at sweepingads@me.com or call (317) 603-7854.

On the Cover: An outdoor fire feature completed by Smalling Masonry in Indianapolis, IN this summer.

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

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 does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. PHOTOGRAPHY Stock images by iStock, Adobe. ARTICLE SUBMISSION NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to the editor at marketing@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or other forms of advertising verbiage. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a JPG format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions for 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. © 2026 National Chimney Sweep Guild

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Pressures can stack up quickly during the busy season, especially when you and your team aren’t making time to pause and recharge. An important part of health and safety, the theme of this issue of Sweeping magazine, is paying attention to mental health. As business owners, salespeople, and repair crews focus on customer service and profitability, it’s easy to slip into “keep going” mode instead of taking a moment to check in with one another and ask, "How are you really doing?" Protecting mental health includes many of the things you probably already know are important but may not always make time for. A healthy diet, quality sleep, exercise, relaxation, and staying connected with others all play a role in self-care.

By Debbie Wiedwald, President, National Chimney Sweep Guild

Unfortunately, people working in construction are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and fatigue. These challenges can contribute to decreased job performance, substance abuse, increased accidents, and, in some cases, suicide. That’s why it’s so important to include mental health resources as part of regular health and safety training. Make sure you know how to connect your team members with mental health resources in your community and make sure they know those resources are available, too. Our industry offers plenty of opportunities to connect, learn, and support one another. Industry Facebook pages can be a great place to share knowledge and encouragement. Regional guild events help expand professional networks, and the National Chimney Sweep Guild's (NCSG) Mentor Connect sessions provide opportunities to learn from experienced professionals. Don’t forget to plan ahead for the 2027 NCSG Convention & Trade Show on April 6–10 in Hershey, Pennsylvania! Last year’s convention included several educational sessions focused on improving health and safety, and several members have already volunteered to lead exercise activities before classes begin during the 2027 convention. We hope you’ll join us! NCSG is grateful to be your professional organization, Serving Those Who Service America’s Chimneys. Most importantly, please look after yourself and your team members during this busy season. Your mental health matters, and it deserves to be a priority. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

Roadmap to Journeyman The Certified Chimney Journeyman credential gives experienced chimney professionals a clear next step for testing their knowledge and continuing their development

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

For chimney professionals, certification can mark several different points in a career. The Certified Chimney Professional (CCP) is designed to assess the knowledge of early- to mid-career sweeps. The Certified Chimney Journeyman (CCJ) comes later, when years in the field have built a broader understanding of systems, troubleshooting, safety, repairs, codes, and customer communication.

areas of chimney work.

The CCJ is the National Chimney Sweep Guild’s (NCSG) advanced certification for experienced chimney professionals, lead technicians, and business owners. It is designed for people who are no longer learning only the fundamentals, but are regularly expected to evaluate complex situations, make informed decisions, and guide work in the field.

Candidates are also tested on safety, advanced chimney physics, administrative responsibilities, and repair and replacement options.

That makes the CCJ a natural next step for chimney professionals who are ready to measure how far their knowledge has developed.

A Credential Built on Experience Unlike the CCP, the CCJ has an experiencebased eligibility requirement. Candidates must have held a certification from NCSG, the National Fireplace Institute, or the Chimney Safety Institute of America for at least three years before applying. NCSG recommends three to six years of industry experience. That prerequisite is important because the CCJ exam is built around advanced knowledge. The certification is intended to assess what an experienced professional should understand after years of inspecting, sweeping, troubleshooting, repairing, and working with customers. For companies, the CCJ can also provide a development goal for technicians who are ready to take on greater responsibility. A clear path from foundational certification to an advanced credential gives employees something concrete to work toward while helping employers recognize professional growth.

What Does the CCJ Cover? The CCJ exam reaches across six major

Systems knowledge and installation makes up 23% of the exam and includes heating systems, connectors, venting, chimneys, and chases. Inspection, sweeping, and tools accounts for another 20%, including all three levels of inspection, documentation, creosote removal, specialty inspection equipment, and troubleshooting of multiple appliance types.

The advanced chimney physics section, for example, covers combustion, draft and flow, stack effect, sizing and design, and floor protector calculations. The administrative section addresses areas such as estimates, proposals, insurance documentation, change orders, and customer communication. Repair and replacement topics range from masonry work and flashing to factory-built systems and exterior repairs. In other words, the CCJ is not narrowly focused on one task. It reflects the range of decisions experienced chimney professionals may be expected to make in the field.

Preparing for the Exam The first step is determining eligibility. Once approved, candidates have six months to sit for the exam. NCSG provides a CCJ study guide, content outline, and other resources to help candidates identify what the exam covers and where additional study may be needed. Reviewing the content outline can be especially useful because it breaks the exam into specific knowledge areas rather than leaving candidates to guess what “advanced” knowledge means. The exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions and allows three hours for completion. It is offered online throughout the year, with select opportunities to test in person. The application fee is $50. After approval, the

Apply for the CCJ at certifiedchimneyprofessionals.com O C T O B E R 2026

exam fee is $499 for NCSG members and $699 for nonmembers. Candidates who need to retake the exam within the six-month eligibility period pay an additional $100.

company training, field experience, and continued education. Certification provides a benchmark, but the larger professional journey continues long after the exam is over.

After the Exam

Where Does Your Road Lead?

Earning the CCJ is not the end of the process. Certification holders must renew every three years, either by completing the required continuing education or retaking the exam.

For someone early in the trade, the CCJ may still be several years away. That is exactly the point.

That renewal requirement reflects an important reality of chimney work: Professional knowledge cannot remain static. Codes, standards, products, equipment, and best practices continue to change. Maintaining a credential requires continued learning alongside day-to-day experience. Those who earn the CCJ receive an identification badge and are listed in NCSG’s certified sweep directory, giving both employers and customers a way to verify the credential. As Byron Schramm’s certification spotlight in this issue shows, the credential can also sit alongside

A journeyman credential should represent development over time. Start with a strong foundation, gain experience, keep learning, and use each stage of your career to build toward the next. For professionals who already meet the eligibility requirements, the CCJ offers a clear way to test the knowledge they have built over years in the field and identify the next step in their professional development. The road to journeyman is not a shortcut. It is a progression, and the CCJ gives experienced chimney professionals a defined milestone along the way. ■

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O C T O B E R 2026

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Certification Spotlight

Family Roots

For Byron Schramm, the chimney and hearth industry has always been a family business. Byron, owner of Midtown Chimney Services in Boulder, Colorado, grew up around his family’s fireplace store in Lancaster, California. His uncle owned the store, his father was a licensed general contractor who installed fireplaces throughout the area, and his grandfather brought experience as a welder, farmer, and businessman. “I grew up in that store,” Byron said. “As a child, I sat on the bench and watched fireplace sales take place, then went into the field with my family to help with installations.” About 15 years ago, a conversation at a family Christmas party sparked the idea of franchising the business. Today, Midtown Chimney Services operates in more than 10 states, with locations owned and operated by local families. The company provides chimney sweeping and inspections, maintenance and repairs, and fireplace sales and installation. As the business grew, certification became an important part of building a consistent professional foundation across the company. Byron holds the National Chimney Sweep Guild’s (NCSG) Certified Chimney Journeyman (CCJ) certification and the Master Chimney Professional (MCP) designation. “For us, certification provides an important professional foundation, but our internal training and accountability are what turn that foundation into consistent performance in the field,” he said. That emphasis on continued development aligns closely with the CCJ, an advanced NCSG certification designed for experienced chimney professionals, lead technicians, and business owners. Candidates must have held an NCSG, National Fireplace Institute (NFI), or Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certification for at least three years before applying. The CCJ exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions completed over three hours. For Byron, credentials are particularly important in an industry where licensing and oversight vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. “Our industry has no federal licensing requirement for chimney sweeping or fireplace installation, and state and local oversight remains limited across

much of the country,” he said. “In many ways, it is still the Wild West, so each of us must choose an ethical and professional service model.” Byron's path into the trade was not inevitable. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and mathematics from The Master’s University and originally planned to become a veterinarian. Eventually, the family trade drew him back. Today, that combination of hands-on experience, analytical thinking, training, and certification continues to shape his approach to the industry and reflects the level of professional growth the CCJ is designed to recognize. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

Industry News Watch

CHIMNEY COLLECTIVE EXPANDS Chimney Collective has grown to six companies in just over three months, bringing several familiar NCSG names under one organization

himney Solutions became the latest company to join Chimney Collective on September 18, bringing the organization’s publicly announced roster to six chimney and fireplace service companies just over three months after its formation. Founded in 1998, Chimney Solutions has grown from the Atlanta area to serve customers in Georgia, Tennessee, and Indiana. The company is also one of several National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) member companies now involved with Chimney Collective. Chimney Collective formally launched June 2 with three founding companies: Ashbusters, based in Tennessee; Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney in Western New York; and Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweep, which serves the greater Cincinnati region. Midcoast Chimney & Masonry in Maine joined one week later. American Chimney & Fireplace in Louisville, Kentucky, followed in July, before Chimney Solutions joined in September. Several of those companies are familiar names within NCSG. Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweep, Midcoast Chimney & Masonry, American Chimney & Fireplace, Chimney Solutions, and Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney are NCSG member companies. Collectively, Chimney Collective’s companies now serve customers across multiple regions of the country, from Maine and New York to Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Chimney Collective describes itself as a group of chimney, fireplace, and masonry companies that continue operating under their existing local brands and leadership while gaining access to additional resources through the larger organization. According to the company, those resources can include capital, recruiting and human resources support, training, technology, and other operational assistance.

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Mark Stoner, left, with Doug Hetsch at American Chimney & Fireplace in Louisville, Kentucky, after the company joined Chimney Collective in July.

The organization also says its model is structured differently from a traditional private equity firm or large consolidator. Its website emphasizes continued ownership and involvement by local operators, including opportunities for owners to take some money out of their businesses while retaining an ownership stake. Chimney Collective does have ties to Shore Capital Partners. Shore Search Partners, an investment program within Shore Capital, has publicly described itself as backing Chimney Collective. Shore Capital is a private equity firm focused on smaller companies in several industries. The individual companies joining Chimney Collective bring decades of experience with them. Felgemacher traces its history to 1953, Ashbusters was founded in 1985, Chimney Solutions began

in 1998, and American Chimney & Fireplace was established in 2007. Several of the companies have also been active participants in NCSG and the broader chimney industry. That history is part of what makes Chimney Collective’s growth noteworthy for the trade. In a little more than three months, six established chimney companies have become part of the same organization while continuing to operate under names already well known in their local markets. With Chimney Solutions joining in September, Chimney Collective’s presence within the chimney industry, and among NCSG member companies, has grown quickly since its June launch. Its development adds another business model to watch as established chimney companies consider how they want to grow, transition, or plan for the future. ■

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O C T O B E R 2026

The Kit You Hope You Never Open

First aid compliance and best practices for the chimney professional By Jonathan Erdman, Director of Education, National Chimney Sweep Guild

We work on ladders, on roofs, in attics, and elbowdeep in sheet metal and creosote. Lacerations, burns, eye injuries, and stings are not hypothetical hazards in this trade — they are Tuesday afternoon at Mrs. Smith’s reline job. Yet the kit in the average sweep van is a drugstore box holding three bandages and a hardened tube of ointment. OSHA has an opinion about that, and so should you.

What OSHA Actually Requires Two standards apply, and which one governs depends on the work you are performing, not on what is painted on the truck.

General Industry — 29 CFR 1910.151 Covers routine sweeping, inspection, and service. It requires ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation; where no clinic or hospital sits in near proximity, a person adequately trained to render first aid, with adequate supplies readily available; and quick-drenching or flushing facilities where eyes or body may be exposed to injurious

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

corrosive materials. The key here is making sure someone is adequately trained to respond when the need arises.

Construction — 29 CFR 1926.50 Applies to relining, rebuilds, crown and tuckpointing work, and most repair. It is stricter. Have someone with a valid first aid certificate on site when a medical facility is not reasonably accessible in time and distance (which happens quite often for most companies). Keep contents in a weatherproof container with individually sealed packages, checked before each job and at least weekly. Make it part of the prework checklist, just like you would for other job supplies. Provide transportation or a means of summoning EMS, and post emergency numbers where 911 is unavailable. Build to OSHA 1926 and you are compliant either way. The weekly inspection and weatherproofcontainer rules are what trip sweeps up, and this is stated clearly in the OSHA regulations for

construction, so it isn’t exactly optional. Someone may argue a sweep may not need to follow the same guidelines as an installer, but I would caution against having variations in the plan. This would add more layers to the program and potentially make it more complex. Keep it simple. One plan for all trucks.

Designated Employees & Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Training The obligations are concrete. Every employee must be trained on the hazards of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, which include but aren’t limited to blood, feces, vomit, and urine. A written Exposure Control Plan must be in place, reviewed during new hire onboarding. Retraining annually, within twelve months of the last session. The plan must include education on the various ways someone could be exposed, procedures for how to respond to exposure, and who would be designated as a first aid responder within the company. As a pro tip and sidenote here, from field experience, this is a

great time to address the importance of NOT using a bucket as a toilet on the jobsite, as is the practice of some. What might seem like a “convenience” to some is an exposure for everyone else. Any employee you designate as a first aid responder, or whose duties include rendering first aid as a collateral responsibility, has reasonably anticipated occupational exposure and falls under 29 CFR 1910.1030. For most companies, that is every crew lead. In many companies, there are several solo technicians or salespeople. Each employee designated as a first aid responder must complete a certified first aid class. The offerings are very extensive across the country through the Red Cross and other organizations, and most include a hybrid learning experience where a chunk of the class is done virtually and only an hour or so is completed in-person. Hepatitis B vaccination is normally offered within ten working days of assignment for this designated employee. OSHA’s directive CPL 02-02-069 allows a

O C T O B E R 2026

narrow alternative for collateral-duty responders: the vaccine may be offered after an exposure incident rather than before, but only if your plan says so, a reporting procedure exists, and the series begins within twenty-four hours. Otherwise, vaccinate up front. If the employee chooses to not accept the vaccination, get that in writing so nothing is assumed in your documentation. Records kept three years. PPE and post-exposure evaluation at no cost to the employee.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1: What Goes in the Box OSHA’s non-mandatory appendices still cite ANSI Z308.1-1978. Do not build to a 1978 list. The current edition, ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021, is what compliance officers, insurers, and opposing counsel reach for. It sorts kits two ways. By class: Class A covers common workplace injuries. Class B is for higherrisk environments, requiring larger quantities plus a splint and a tourniquet. By container type: Type I fixed and indoor, Type II portable and indoor, Type

III mounted and water-resistant, Type IV rated for outdoor and mobile service and resistant to corrosion, moisture, and impact. Class A alone runs to roughly twenty required line items, so verify against the standard itself rather than the label on the box. Here is what most of us miss. A chimney field kit is a Type IV application, and our hazard profile argues for Class B. Almost nobody buys that, unfortunately. We buy a Type II office kit and let it rattle under the bench seat until the adhesives fail and bandages literally crumble. Don’t go cheap on your First Aid kit. Look at the types and make sure your employees are equipped with exactly what they need.

Additions for Our Trade The standard is a base to build your plan. Both standards presume you will assess your own hazards. For all sweeps and installers, that points to: • Bleeding control. Liner ends, snips, and flashing produce serious lacerations. A quality tourniquet

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and hemostatic dressing belong in every truck, with the training to match. • Eye flushing. Creosote, fly ash, and masonry dust. The portable eyewash solution bottles are great for work vehicles, but these do expire over time. • Burn care. Hot appliances and torch work. • Environmental. Sting and anaphylaxis response, heat illness supplies, tick removal, and a moldable splint.

Best Practice: Store the BBP Kit With the First Aid Kit Mount a dedicated bloodborne pathogen kit in or immediately adjacent to the first aid kit labeled with the biohazard symbol per 1910.1030(g)(1). Two reasons. Nobody should hunt for a second box during an active bleed; gloves and a barrier belong within arm’s reach of the bandages. And keeping them sealed and separate ensures a contaminated

spill kit is never unpacked into your clean supplies. A serviceable BBP kit holds extra nitrile gloves, a CPR barrier with one-way valve, face and eye protection, a gown or apron, absorbent solidifier, an EPA-registered disinfectant or fresh 1:10 bleach, a scoop and scraper, a red biohazard bag with tie, hand wipes, and written cleanup instructions.

Close the Loop Inspect your kits weekly and file. On the inspection note any items below stock levels as well as when they were replenished. Restock immediately after use. Document every training session. When something goes wrong on a job forty minutes from a hospital, the kit you assembled on a slow Tuesday afternoon is the entire plan. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

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Building for the Long Haul: Safety, Longevity, and the Whole Technician By Trent Simmons, Owner, Top Hat Chimney Sweeps

or generations, the chimney trade wore physical destruction like a badge of honor. Knees worn out by 35, lungs full of dust, bodies battered by decades on steep pitches, these were treated as the unavoidable cost of doing business. If our goal is to help our people build real wealth, buy homes, and raise families, we have to kill the idea that a technician's body is disposable. A sweep's body is their primary income-generating asset. Safety isn't a compliance checklist. It's a direct investment in how long someone can stay in this trade.

Physical: Gear Up and Move Right A broken back or a destroyed knee ends a career instantly, no warning shot. Upgrade from basic dust masks to fitted P100 PAPR respirators or full-face units for high soot jobs. Put mandatory pre-shift mobility stretching on the schedule to prime backs and shoulders before the first ladder goes up. Invest in motorized stair-climbers and staging platforms so nobody's hauling an 80-pound liner up a steep pitch on muscle alone.

Mental: Build a Culture of Awareness Mental fatigue and distraction cause most roof falls and ladder mishaps, not bad luck. Mandate a 5-minute pre-job safety tailgate before anyone sets foot on a roof: pitch, weather, electrical lines, quick and out loud. And stop scheduling a fifth job at 5:00 PM. A rushed technician on his last stop of the day is how you get a catastrophic mistake.

Professional: Treat Safety Gear as Production Equipment Cutting corners on setup time doesn't save money. It invites a lawsuit or a funeral. Give fall-arrest systems, ridge hooks, pitch hoppers, and dual-line tie-offs the same standard-issue status as your camera inspection gear. Run monthly equipment audits harnesses, ropes, ladders and retire anything showing wear without debate.

Financial: Protect the Income Engine An injured technician earns zero income. That derails a home purchase, a family's stability, everything. Structure bonuses around safety compliance and clean inspections instead of raw speed. Offer supplemental disability coverage or group insurance so your crew knows the business backs their long-term stability, not just this week's job count.

Personal: Leave Enough in the Tank A shift that leaves a technician physically broken and mentally drained costs his family a present husband and father, even after he clocks out. Ditch the gas-station energy drinks and fast-food route habits for real hydration, meal prep, and sleep. Train your crew to leave jobsite stress on the truck, so they've got something left for their kids when they walk in the door.

Purpose: Remember Why You Work When you lose sight of why you do this job, safety rules start to feel like red tape instead of something worth protecting. Start the day with intention before the ignition turns. Remind your team that staying safe isn't about following a rule, it's about the people counting on them to come home. Owners and lead techs who wear the gear and prioritize longevity themselves change the culture underneath them. That's how you stop running a job-to-job shop and start building careers people stay in for 30 years. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

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MARKETING FEATURE Four Questions That Help Homeowners Say Yes By Amy Connor, Vice President of Marketing, SaverSystems

Every chimney sweep has heard it. “We need to think about it.”

Never assume customers can see what you see. Help them see it.

Sometimes that means the homeowner truly needs more time. Other times, it means they are not confident enough to move forward.

Why Did It Happen? Once homeowners understand the problem, their next question is usually, “How did this happen?”

Many contractors assume the obstacle is price. More often, it is understanding.

This is where many contractors miss an opportunity.

Most homeowners know very little about chimney systems. They are being asked to invest in a repair they cannot fully see and may not understand. Your job is not simply to identify the problem. It is to help them understand it well enough to make an informed decision. The best inspections answer four simple questions. When those questions are answered clearly, homeowners are more confident, more comfortable, and more likely to approve the recommended work.

What Is Wrong? This may seem obvious, but many inspection reports start with technical terms that mean very little to the average homeowner. Instead of writing, “Smoke chamber deterioration” or “Spalled flue tile,” explain what the customer is actually looking at. Show clear photos of the damaged area. Include one photo that shows where the problem is located and another that shows the damage up close. Then describe the issue in plain language. For example, instead of simply noting a cracked chimney crown, explain that the crown has developed cracks that allow water to enter the chimney structure. That is something homeowners can understand.

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Explaining the cause builds credibility. It shows that your recommendation is based on identifying the source of the problem, not simply selling a repair. Maybe years of water intrusion have damaged the masonry. Perhaps repeated freeze-thaw cycles caused the crown to crack. Maybe normal aging, poor construction, or a lack of maintenance contributed to the issue. When customers understand the cause, they begin to understand why the repair is necessary.

What Happens If I Ignore It? This question creates urgency, but it should never create fear. Homeowners deserve to know what is likely to happen if they postpone the repair. Your responsibility is to educate, not exaggerate. Explain the consequences in practical terms. A small crack today may allow more water into the chimney. Water can freeze, expand, and create larger cracks. Masonry deterioration accelerates. A repair that could have been completed this season may become a much larger project next year. Customers are far more likely to act when they understand the cost of waiting.

"THE GOAL IS NOT TO BECOME A BETTER SALESPERSON. THE GOAL IS TO BECOME A BETTER TEACHER." – Amy Connor

How Will You Fix It?

Practical Takeaways

The final question is the one that gives homeowners confidence.

Review one of your recent inspection reports this week and ask yourself:

Once they understand the problem and why it matters, they want to know exactly how you plan to solve it.

Did I clearly show the homeowner what was wrong?

Avoid assuming they understand your process. Explain the repair in straightforward language. Tell them what work will be performed, why that solution is appropriate, and what result they can expect when the job is complete. This is also an opportunity to explain why you use quality materials and proven repair methods. Homeowners may not recognize product names, but they do appreciate knowing that you are using solutions designed specifically for chimney systems and backed by years of field experience.

Did I explain why the problem developed? Did I describe the consequences of delaying the repair? Did I explain the recommended solution in language anyone could understand? If any answer is “no,” make that improvement before your next inspection. Small changes in communication can make a significant difference in how homeowners respond to your recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Confidence grows when the solution is just as clear as the problem.

Great chimney companies do more than find problems. They help homeowners understand them.

The Questions Behind Every Successful Inspection

Every inspection is an opportunity to educate, build trust, and demonstrate your professionalism. When homeowners clearly understand what is wrong, why it happened, what could happen if they wait, and how you will solve it, saying yes becomes much easier.

These four questions work together. • What is wrong? • Why did it happen? • What happens if I ignore it? • How will you fix it? If your inspection, report, and conversation answer each one, homeowners leave with fewer unanswered questions and greater confidence in your recommendation.

The goal is not to become a better salesperson. The goal is to become a better teacher. When you do that consistently, the sales often take care of themselves. ■

That confidence often translates into higher approval rates because customers feel informed instead of pressured.

O C T O B E R 2026

INSURED & INFORMED Whose Stuff Is It Anyway? Understanding Care, Custody, and Control By Chris Van Leeuwen, Vice President of Professional Development, Veracity Insurance Solutions

Before you can even open your gear bag, you're moving end tables, sliding armchairs, or relocating fireplace tools just to make room to work. Most of the time nothing happens. But every so often something gets dropped or broken, and that's when the call to your insurance agent starts with, “Good thing I've got general liability for this.” Well, maybe not. There's an exclusion in most general liability (GL) policies that could catch you off guard: the care, custody, or control exclusion, or CCC for short. It can mean the difference between a covered claim and an awkward conversation with your customer. One question decides which side of the line you're on:

The furniture belonged to the customer and that your technician broke it, so the matter is settled? Not exactly. As soon as your technician took up the table, the table came within the physical control of your company, which is precisely what the phrase “care, custody or control” means. Most general liability policies exclude damage to property which is in your care, custody or control at the time the damage occurs.

Did you just damage the property, or had you actually taken control of it when it got damaged?

Changing the scenario: rather than moving the table, the technician is cleaning the chimney and a tool drops out of his hand and lands on the same table, shattering it. The table is still broken, but the situation now looks very different. No one had taken control of it; it was just in close proximity. This is much more in line with the type of thirdparty property damage that the GL policy is designed to cover.

A Tale of Two Dropped End Tables

Being in the House Doesn't Mean You Own the Risk

Imagine your tech shows up to service a fireplace, and there's a heavy side table sitting right in front of it. He picks it up to move it out of the way and drops it resulting in a cracked leg, the finish being gouged and the customer being unhappy.

It is in this situation that many people unnecessarily feel nervous: merely entering someone's living room does not mean that all the items in the room come under your control. For example, the couch in the other room or grandma's China

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"THERE'S A REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING AROUND A CUSTOMER'S BELONGINGS AND TAKING CONTROL OF THEM." – Chris Van Leeuwen

cabinet doesn't become yours just because you are nearby. Things change the moment your crew actually picks something up: a TV moved off the hearth, artwork taken down, tools set aside. Once your hands are on it, the insurance question shifts. These cases tend to be factspecific, but the general rule holds: there's a real difference between working around a customer's belongings and taking control of them.

What About the Chimney Itself? This is where things get confusing, because people throw around “care, custody, and control” pretty loosely. Say your technician is up on the chimney and accidentally chips the crown. Someone might call that a CCC issue, but it's not, really. The chimney is part of the structure you're working on, and damage to it typically falls under different policy language, the kind dealing with faulty workmanship

or damage to the part of the building you're actively working on. Important stuff, but a different conversation from CCC. Keep it simple: CCC is about someone else's personal property that ends up in your hands; furniture, decorations, fireplace accessories, whatever your crew picks up or moves out of the way.

Why Would Insurance Even Work This Way? It comes down to what general liability is actually meant to do. It's not property insurance for anything your business happens to be holding at a given moment. Think about a moving company: a crew hauling an entire household of furniture is a much bigger exposure than a contractor who backs into a neighbor's fence, and GL policies are priced with that distinction in mind. Chimney businesses run into a smallerscale version of the same thing: your policy responds when you damage someone else's stuff, but once you take that stuff into

your own hands, the coverage can change.

A Few Practical Moves Before sending a crew in, consider whether expensive furniture, electronics, or artwork really needs to be moved by your people or whether the homeowner can move it ahead of time. If your crews routinely move customer belongings, that's worth a conversation with your insurance agent so you know how your policy would respond. What we should aim for isn't remembering the exclusionary language, but rather realizing that a normal part of the job can subtly affect the way a claim is processed. Next time you're in someone's living room, ask yourself: are you working around their stuff, or are you holding or physically moving it? Once it's in your hands, your coverage picture may look different than you'd expect. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

COACH'S CORNER Where Will Tomorrow's Technicians Come From? By Jerry Isenhour, Coach and Consultant, CVC Success Group

Ask almost any chimney service company owner about the challenges facing their business today, and sooner or later you will hear the same statement: “I can’t find good people.” There is certainly truth behind that frustration. Recruiting qualified technicians has become increasingly difficult, and attracting new people to the industry is also difficult, but perhaps we need to look at the problem differently. Instead of continually asking, “Where can I find experienced technicians?” perhaps the better question is, “What are we doing to develop the next generation of chimney professionals?”

want their children to have security, good incomes, benefits, advancement and careers they can be proud of. If their image of chimney work involves dirty clothes, dangerous conditions, low wages and limited advancement, why would they encourage their children to enter our industry? We have to change that picture.

The long-term solution to our labor problem may not be finding more experienced technicians, as there is not an abundance of them. It may be building them ourselves.

Imagine a 20-year-old visiting a company for an interview. The trucks are dirty, the shop is disorganized, employees complain about management, there is no structured training program, and nobody can explain advancement opportunities. The owner then tells the applicant, “We have a great career opportunity here.” Unfortunately, everything the applicant just observed tells a different story.

How Did We Get Here? For generations, many young people were given a simple definition of success: graduate from high school, attend college, earn a degree and find a good job. There is nothing wrong with that path. The problem developed when skilled trades began to be presented primarily as an alternative for students who were not going to college. Instead of telling young people, “You have an opportunity to build a successful professional career in the skilled trades,” the message too often became, “If college isn’t for you, perhaps you should learn a trade.” We unintentionally positioned the trades as a second choice instead of a professional career worthy of consideration by talented and ambitious young people. That perception also influenced parents, teachers, guidance counselors and communities. Parents

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We Must Look in the Mirror. Before blaming schools, parents or the younger generation, chimney companies need to examine themselves. Sometimes we have contributed to the image problem.

Now imagine visiting another company. The vehicles are clean and professionally wrapped. Employees wear professional uniforms. The facility is organized, technology is being used, training occurs regularly and certifications are proudly displayed. Management sits down with the applicant and explains, “Here is where you will start, what we will teach you and where you could be five years from now.” Which company will attract the ambitious candidate? Professional companies attract people looking for professional careers. We cannot complain about young people’s perception of our industry

while reinforcing the stereotype we are trying to overcome.

Stop Advertising Jobs and Start Marketing Careers One of the biggest changes our industry can make is simple: stop advertising vacancies and start marketing careers. Consider a typical advertisement: “Chimney technician wanted. $22–$28 per hour. Experience preferred. Must have valid driver’s license.” There is nothing technically wrong with it, but what is exciting about the opportunity? Now consider: “Build a career in the chimney and hearth industry. We’ll train you to develop professional technical skills, work toward industry certifications, improve your customer communication skills and prepare for opportunities to advance into leadership.” The first advertisement essentially says, “We need somebody.” The second says, “We have an opportunity for you.” Chimney companies understand marketing when looking for customers. We invest in websites, Google advertising, videos, social media, vehicle graphics and branding. We explain why homeowners should choose us instead of our competitors. Recruiting today is also marketing. We need to answer the same fundamental question for prospective employees: Why should they choose us?

Show Them Where They Can Go Young people need to see a future, not simply a starting wage. Imagine explaining to a 20-yearold that they will begin as an apprentice, learning safety, tools, customer interaction and industry fundamentals. As they develop, they can become technicians running service calls and increasing their technical expertise and earning potential.

From there, they might progress to senior technician, crew leader, field supervisor, estimator, sales professional, trainer, operations manager or general manager. Some may ultimately choose entrepreneurship and become business owners themselves. Now we are having a completely different conversation. We are no longer asking, “Would you like a job cleaning chimneys?” Instead, we are asking, “Would you like to develop professional skills that could eventually take you into technical leadership, sales, management or business ownership?” That is an opportunity ambitious people can get excited about.

Hire for Character and Train for Skill Another obstacle is our continuing search for experienced technicians. We want someone already certified, technically skilled, mechanically talented, great with customers, reliable, professional, good at sales and preferably familiar with our software. Essentially, we are searching for a unicorn—and if that individual exists, they probably already have a job. Our industry needs to become better at building technicians instead of simply finding technicians. The required philosophy is: Hire for character and train for skill. Look for attitude, reliability, work ethic, curiosity, communication ability, mechanical aptitude, integrity and willingness to learn. We can teach chimney systems, fireplaces, inspection procedures, software and sales processes. It is much harder to teach someone to care, demonstrate integrity, show up reliably or possess the desire to continually improve. Instead of asking, “Where can I find an experienced technician?” start asking, “How can we build one?”

"OUR INDUSTRY NEEDS TO BECOME BETTER AT BUILDING TECHNICIANS INSTEAD OF SIMPLY FINDING TECHNICIANS." –Jerry Isenhour

O C T O B E R 2026

Don’t Sell Easy—Sell Accomplishment We should not misrepresent the trades when recruiting. Chimney work is not always easy. Technicians work when it is hot and cold. They climb roofs, enter crawlspaces and attics, get dirty and sometimes deal with challenging customers. Instead of selling an easy job, sell accomplishment. There is tremendous satisfaction in finishing the day knowing, “I fixed that problem. I helped that customer. That family will be safer because of the work I performed.” That creates purpose, and purpose matters. We are not trying to recruit everyone. We are looking for people who take pride in learning something valuable and becoming exceptionally good at it.

Develop an Employee Value Proposition Most successful companies understand their Customer Value Proposition: Why should customers choose us? Every chimney company also needs an Employee Value Proposition answering: Why should talented people build their careers with us? At a 1987 NCSG Convention there was a riveting speaker, he did not need a mic, his voice boomed into the audience, his presentation was “Would You Work For You”. After this session many left with ideas to implement to address this subject. This is not a new problem; it has existed for years. Mike Rowe has spent a career expelling the virtue of working in the trades and his message rings so true today. Prospective employees want to know what you will teach them, what skills they will develop, what they can earn and how they can advance. They want to know about certifications, benefits, culture and whether management will invest in their development. Ultimately, they want to know: Can I build a future here? They also want to know whether they will be respected. Respect does not mean lowering standards or eliminating accountability. It means treating employees like professionals while holding them accountable to professional standards.

We Are Competing for Talent Our biggest recruiting competitor may not be another chimney company. We compete against HVAC, plumbing, electrical, manufacturing, warehouses, delivery companies, government jobs, the military, colleges and numerous other career choices.

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Simply announcing “We’re hiring” is not enough. Everybody is hiring. We must differentiate our opportunity through training, culture, income potential, advancement, leadership, benefits, technology, certifications and purpose. Companies should create career ladders and structured training programs, develop relationships with high schools and technical schools, use younger employees in recruiting videos, professionalize their image and develop better managers. We should celebrate certifications, promotions and accomplishments while creating organizations where employees are proud to say, “I work there.”

The Future Is Ours To Build Perhaps we need to stop asking, “Why don’t young people want to enter the trades?” and start asking, “What are we doing to make them want to enter the trades?” The chimney and hearth industry has an incredible story to tell. We provide essential services, solve real problems and offer opportunities to develop valuable technical skills, advance into leadership and potentially become entrepreneurs. But telling that story is not enough. We must build companies that live that story. Stop looking for someone simply to fill an empty truck and start looking for someone whose future you can help build. Stop offering jobs and start offering careers. Stop endlessly searching for experienced technicians and develop the systems necessary to build the next generation ourselves. Tomorrow’s technicians are out there. The question is whether we are willing to invest the training, leadership and resources necessary to turn them into tomorrow’s chimney professionals. The future of our trade isn’t something we wait for. It is something we build. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

NEW CERTIFICATIONS

from August 2026

Micah Ables, Certified Chimney Journeyman Ables Top Hat Home Services Jonathan Hurley, Certified Chimney Professional The Chimney Chap Edwin Rivera, Certified Chimney Professional Elite Chimney Solutions, Inc. Edwin Rivera Jr., Certified Chimney Reliner Elite Chimney Solutions, Inc.

Heating Season Is Officially Here! Be ready for your customers From Chimney Caps to Chimney Brushes, Prefab Chimney to Relining Materials, and Everything In Between, Give Sand Hill a Call!

PHONE 800-258-5496 INFO@SANDHILLWHOLESALE.COM Call Or Email For Your Free Copy Of Our Current Catalog Featuring Tools, Chimney, and Hearth Accessories

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

REGIONAL UPDATE A Path for Professional Growth By Gary Smalling, At-Large Director, National Chimney Sweep Guld

As many of you know, one of the areas I'm most passionate about is education and creating a clearer path for people entering and growing within our industry. Over the past year, the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) Education Committee has continued working on ways to better align the registered apprenticeship program with NCSG certifications so members can more easily see where they are today, what skills they need to develop, and where they can go next in their careers.

AT-LARGE

A common challenge in our industry is that there are many great educational opportunities available, but the path can sometimes feel disconnected or difficult to navigate. We're working toward a more defined journey that helps technicians, business owners, and industry professionals understand how education, field experience, certifications, and leadership opportunities all fit together. Our goal is to create a roadmap that supports growth at every stage, from someone entering the trade for the first time to seasoned professionals pursuing advanced credentials. As we move into FY2027, we'll continue focusing on strengthening these connections, improving accessibility to educational resources, and supporting a culture of continuous learning. By creating a more structured and transparent pathway, we can help develop better technicians, stronger companies, and a more professional industry for years to come. The progress we make as an industry depends on members willing to step up and get involved. If you're interested in making an impact, consider joining an NCSG committee and helping us create opportunities for the next generation of industry professionals. ■

O C T O B E R 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS Mentor Connect October 1, 2026 at 6:00 pm ET | Virtual (Google Meet) Mentor Connect is a free virtual program where NCSG members and their employees can ask questions, share experiences and learn from other chimney professionals

Sweeps Week at Warrior Horse February 22-26, 2027 | Frierson, Louisiana Sweeps Week brings chimney professionals together to support Warrior Horse, a nonprofit serving veterans and first responders through equineassisted programs, while helping with projects around the ranch

HPBExpo27 March 3-6, 2027 | Nashville, Tennessee HPBExpo puts the latest hearth, barbecue, and outdoor living products on display, with hands-on demos, education, and plenty of opportunities to connect with manufacturers and industry peers

2027 NCSG Convention & Trade Show April 6-10, 2027 | Hershey, Pennsylvania Celebrate NCSG's 50th anniversary with several days of education, hands-on learning, industry connections, and a packed trade show featuring the latest products and services for chimney professionals

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

2026-2027 Board of Directors President; Region 4 Director

Region 6 Director

Blackburn’s Chimney Sweeps debbie@blackburnschimney.com

Professional Chimney Sweep prochimneymichaele@gmail.com

Debbie Wiedwald

Michaele Dempsey

Vice President; At-Large Director

At-Large Director

Smalling Masonry gary.smalling@smallingmasonry.com

Done Right Chimney cory@donerightchimney.com

Gary Smalling

Cory McGill

Treasurer; Region 1 Director

At-Large Director

Hudson Valley Chimney Service rmurphy@hudsonvalleychimney.com

Chimney Monkey brett@chimneymonkey.com

Robby Murphy

Brett Conklin

Secretary; Region 3 Director

At-Large Director

Chimspector drew@chimspector.com

Lords Chimney leeroff@lordschimney.com

Drew Stein

Lee Roff

Region 2 Director

At-Large Supplier Representative

D.J. Cross/Cross Break Sheet Metal jon@djcrossinc.com

KW DRAFT brianb@rmmanifold.com

Jonathan Cross

Brian Barclay

Region 5 Director

Roland Perez

AAA Home Services and Aaron's Chimney Services roland@myaaahomeservices.com

2026-2027 Committee Chairs Advocacy

Ethics

Membership

Blackburn’s Chimney Sweeps

AAA Home Services

Professional Chimney Sweep

Debbie Wiedwald

Michaele Dempsey

Bylaws

Events

NFPA 211; NFPA 54

Chimney Monkey

KW DRAFT

SureFire Training Academy

Brett Conklin

Brian Barclay

Jim Brewer

Certification

Governance

NFPA 31; Tech. Advisory Council

Total Chimney Care

Chimspector

Fireside Sweeps

Steve Sobczak

Drew Stein

Steve Scally

Education

Marketing

UL 1390; UL 1391

Smalling Masonry

Lords Chimney

Freeman Fire

Gary Smalling Cory McGill

Done Right Chimney

Roland Perez

Lee Roff

Brett Conklin

Chimney Monkey

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Dan Freeman

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR CHIMNEY SERVICE BUSINESS?

We Sold Our Businesses to Endura. Here’s Why. Gene Kaposy

Vince DeCrisi

Jeremy Mitchell

Chim Chimney Joined Endura in 2024

ChimneyTEK Joined Endura in 2025

Mr. Smokestack Joined Endura in 2026

Growth

Legacy

Support

“I wanted a team that would help add value to my business: recruiting, accounting, operations, marketing. I knew my business would grow because of Endura.”

“The brand stayed the same, the team stayed in place, and we’ve been able to invest more into the business than before. It still feels like our company, just stronger.”

“Since joining Endura, we’ve been able to fill open positions faster, with great talent, and provide more career opportunities. It’s made a huge impact on our team.”

– Jeremy Mitchell

– Vince DeCrisi

– Gene Kaposy

Join Endura’s Fast-Growing Family of Strong Local Brands Since 2024, our proven team has supported numerous owners like you to achieve their goals and build bigger futures for themselves and their people. If you’re thinking about selling, make sure you evaluate all your options before choosing the right partner for the future of your business – and the team that helped you get here.

Ready to Explore Your Options? You don’t have to be ready to sell. Let us know what matters most for your company and your people. www.endurapropartners.com

National Chimney Sweep Guild 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway Ankeny, Iowa 50023-7068