January 28, 20130 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
Are you selling and installing Enervex Chimney Fans (formerly Exhausto Chimney Fans)? Enervex Fans solve smoking fireplace and poorly drafting chimney problems. Chimney Sweeps who sell and install them become fans. Their customer’s love them because that worthless smoking fireplace (or appliance) has now become one of the most valued and important feature in the home.
If you are a chimney sweep who installs chimney caps, then an Enervex Fan isn't much more complicated as long as you have the tools and know what to look for. Installing an Enervex Fan isn't as difficult as you might think. The chimney sweep typically installs the fan and then the homeowner’s electrician is responsible for running the connection from the junction box (prewired to the fan) down into the home.
For masonry chimneys, Enervex specifies that the clay flue tile must be cut even with the crown. This is because the fan actually sits on a fiber mat that’s sandwiched between the fan and the crown. The mat minimizes movement and vibrations. This also ensures that the tile won’t interfere with the blades of the fan and that the fan will be on a stable base. A whole must be cut in the mat to match the inside of the existing chimney flue.
Adjustable legs that are attached to the fan base slips down into the flue to keep the fan from blowing sideways and tipping. Use care not to have the legs touch the inner flue – this can cause noise and other potential problems.
A cable that is attached to the fan must be attached to the chimney. This cable is supposed to anchor the fan to the chimney in case it is picked up and tossed in the event of a natural event.
Since there can be variations in fan installation situations, it’s best to consult the fan installation instructions before installing the fan. For solid fuels, click here. For gas and oil applications, click here. There may also be other adapters or parts that are required for your particular installation.
All in all, the Enervex installation must be done in accordance with any local code requirement. If you have any questions on Enervex Fan installations please feel free to contact us.
January 16, 20130 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
When it comes to selling an Enervex RS Chimney Exhaust Fan to solve a customer's smoking fireplace, woodstove or improperly drafting heating equipment, Enervex has made it very easy. You can either use their chart or their online design program.
The sizing for a fireplace is typically centered around four perimeters: The opening of the chimney, the opening of the fireplace, the chimney height and offsets. Woodstoves are sized in a similar manner but with the door opening verses the opening of the fireplace.
Sizing for heating devices includes many more considerations such as location of appliances in relation to the chimney, firing rates/btu's, offsets in connector and chimney, chimney height and much more. It's best to use their online design program for these types of installations or if in doubt, contact Enervex for fan sizing support.
January 11, 20130 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
The Enervex RS Chimney Fan is designed to stop smoking fireplaces and improve poorly drawing chimneys. This fan has a proven reputation – having been successfully used in our industry for decades.
The Enervex RS Fan solves draft problems. Here are just a few of the situations this fan can solve:
Smoking fireplace due to wind-induced downdraft
Improperly sized flue to fireplace ratio
Helps provide air to get the fire going and ignite new wood when reloading
Pulls fireplace/chimney odors up and out the flue
With the proper controls, this fan can also be used for gas fireplace venting issues.
Solves smoking problems with basement fireplaces
Can be used with coal, woodburning, oil or gas appliances to solve venting issues
In addition, because the fan has an adjustable control, the draft can be dialed up or down to increase the draft (especially at start-up) or dial it down (towards the end of the burning time).
Since the Enervex Fan has a sealed motor it requires no maintenance other than cleaning the bird screen. Just undo a screw and tip the fan back on its hinge and you have an open pathway for cleaning. This fan is quiet, energy efficient (about the equivalent of a light bulb) easy to install and has the industry’s best warranty: 6 month unconditional money back guarantee; 10 year perforation warranty and a 2 year factory warranty. To talk with one of our staff about the Enervex Fan, click here.
December 28, 20120 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
What is one of the most important things your business has done during 2012? In our industry, the answer is easy. We save lives. By keeping chimneys clean and preventing fires we save people from deadly situations every day that we are out there. I’m very proud to be a part of this industry and associated with a wonderful group of people! All of us here at Lindemann Chimney Supply wish you all a safe and profitable 2013!
November 16, 20120 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
Did you know that the Chinese symbol for crisis is the same as for opportunity? If something happens in your chimney sweep or hearth business try to look for opportunity in the situation.
Your lead chimney sweep quits without notice. Crisis or opportunity? At first it is a crisis but only because there is no solution. In the process of coming up with the best solution many things happen: You may be reintroduced to the field; Another chimney sweep moves into the position who proves to be even better than the lead chimney sweep; You know you have to have a contingency plan in place and perhaps you start to understand the frustration that led to the lead chimney sweeps departure. As you seek the solution these many things start to make the whole picture more visible to you.
It’s 5:00 on a Friday night and your new chimney sweep dusts a customer’s house. It just so happens this customer works for the local newspaper and writes editorial columns. Crisis or opportunity? At first it seems like a crisis: 5:00 on a Friday night – who will you get to clean it?; White carpet and a light colored brick fireplace facing; A person who has the capability to blast your company for miles around. Your new chimney sweep, who shows a lot of promise, is expecting a major chewing out and is ready to quit. To treat this as an opportunity you need to look for ways to put a positive spin on it. Get the best cleaning company out to clean his home, leaving it cleaner than before the dusting. Talk to the homeowner about why it’s so important to have a professional clean the chimney instead of trying to treat it as a “do-it-yourself” project (in which this happens a great majority of the time). In this case, if a professional messes up, your house can get TLC treatment. Explain why this is a fluke and show them the pricey chimney cleaning equipment that you use to sweep the chimney. Show this new sweep how to turn lemons into lemonade. Reinforce to the new chimney sweep that this can and does happen, rarely, but even to experienced sweeps. This is your chance to show this employee how you stand behind him and reinforces his loyalty to you.
These are just a couple of examples of how you can turn a crisis into an opportunity. It all depends on how you look at it. This may mean taking a short walk away from the office. It might mean getting in your car, driving to a remote area where no one can hear what you really want to say about the situation. Often, the best option is to “step away” from the situation and think of what you would tell your best friend if the same situation happened to them. Whatever it takes, handle it coolly and with confidence and it becomes an opportunity.
November 12, 20120 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
At Lindemann Chimney Supply we understand how important it is to sell a product to your customer that you can stand behind that will also save your customer money. Chimney top dampers such as the Sealtight, the Energy Top, Energy Top Plus and the Top Damper can save your customer hundreds of dollars in heating bills. They are also a profitable add-on sale for your chimney sweep or hearth company.
Traditional masonry fireplace dampers are made of cast-iron. At best, your customer gets a metal-to-metal seal. Sometimes the castings may be off a little and the damper plate doesn’t seal flush against the damper opening. Add to this the likelihood of the damper being warped or rusted and you have a great candidate for a tight sealing damper.
Our dampers seal tighter than other comparable dampers on the market. The Sealtight Damper has more gasket than competitive products. This two-part gasket starts with an injected gasket under the damper frame. Then, the secondary gasket is attached under the bottom side of the front portion of the lid. In addition, our dampers have up to a 50% increase in surface opening area compared to similar models. Lifetime warranted.
Our Energy Top Dampers feature a soft, pliable rubber gasket seal, much like the seal that is used on some refrigerators. It is attached to the frame and actually compresses and conforms to the lid, forming strong flexible barrier to the outside elements. No other damper features this type of seal. Other similar dampers have a flat gasket or no gasket seal. In addition, the Energy Top Damper features precision engineering meaning it opens to the same pre-set height every time. You won’t find a lopsided Energy Top. Lifetime warranted
The Energy Top + Damper features the same great construction as the Energy Top but with a stainless steel chimney cover. This premium quality cap offers spark protection and deters animals from entering the chimney. With this cap attached to the damper, all you need to do is to seal it to the flue with the high-temperature adhesive, included. Then install the bracket and chain handle hardware below. Lifetime warranted.
The Top Damper is similar to other dampers on the market with the exception that it doesn’t require a fire safety device. This means you don’t have to spend those extra minutes assembling this device and fumbling with the installation. The Top Damper opens higher than similar dampers allowing for optimum draft. Lifetime warranted.
To see how profitable a chimney top damper installation can be, check out page 76 of our current catalog. It’s an important product to offer. You are already on the chimney. You have the equipment to install it. It’s dangerous for the average homeowner to be on the chimney. Most don’t have the equipment and don’t know how to install it. Without a doubt, it is a product that should only be installed by a qualified sweep.
For more information on our chimney top dampers you can click on the links above or click here to contact us.
September 05, 20120 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
Here at Lindemann Chimney Supply we understand how hard it is to compete for business. One of the latest products on the market is an imported chimney cap. We now have a quality product made in the USA to compete with these caps. It's HY-C's new ShelterPRO Stainless Steel Single-Flue Chimney Cap.
HY-C has been making high-quality chimney caps for decades. The new ShelterPRO Cap is their answer for sweeps having to compete with low-ball cap pricing without sacraficing quality. It's manufactured from 304 stainless steel and features a 16-gauge base, 18-gauge screen (7" high) and a 24-gauge lid. In addition, the ShelterPRO attaches to the tile corners in the same manner as the HY-C Draft King Caps. This cap requires no assembly and features a limited lifetime warranty.
ShelterPro Caps are available in the following sizes:
July 07, 20120 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
When it comes to masonry fireplace firebox repair Lindemann Chimney Supply has the products that you need!
If you need to repair or replace mortar joints in the firebox then we have several pre-mixed refractory cements for you. These products require air to dry and heat to fully cure them. Recommended application thickness is from about 1/8" to 1/4" maximum. This material can't be applied thicker because it won't thoroughly dry and when heat is applied it will bubble and blister. These fireplace refractory cements are available in the following brands: Heat-Stop in 15- or 50-pound containers; Domestic Fireplace Mortar in 15-or 50- pound containers and Fireplace Mortar in caulking cartridges in Black, Buff or Grey.
The following products can also be used for setting firebrick or parging the firebox but are more commonly used for setting flue tiles. These products, when set up, are non-water soluble. This meets the NFPA 211 standard and withstands temperatures above the 2000 degrees F. range. Application thickness is usually 1/4" thick. This type of cement is available in the Rutland Refractory 211 Dry Mix in a 10-pound container or Heat Stop II in 15- or 50-pound containers.
If you have cracked firebrick in the firebox floor or need to recast fireplace panels then the Rutland Castable Refractory Cement is the product you need. Keep in mind that it isn't listed for use in zero clearance fireplaces. It's always best to replace it with the manufacturer's panels. This castable cement is light brown in color and comes in a 25-pound container.
Some fireboxes may have brick chipped off or cracks that are thicker than ¼". This is where the Rutland Fireplace Patch comes in handy. It can be packed into areas with a thickness up to 5". It's gray in color and withstands temps up to 2200 degrees F.
Whatever you need to repair chimneys, fireplaces and fireboxes, Lindemann Chimney Supply has it covered for you! For more information, click here to contact us.
November 21, 20110 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
Lindemann Chimney Supply wants to provide you with information upcoming chimney sweep and hearth industry events. There is an upcoming semiar hosted and sponsored by the North Carolina Chimney Sweep Association and the South Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild. It's called Transform Your Business DNA -- East Coast Summit, and the presenters are Tom Urban and Jerry Isenhour. Here is a bio about Jerry Isenhour.
Jerry E. Isenhour Sr. is a recognized expert in the field of chimney sweep service, chimney repair service, solid fuel installations, industry standard of care and other facets involved with the proper and improper operation of a chimney service company, hearth product retail sales, and hearth product installation company.
Mr. Isenhour has served as the CEO of several companies involved in the industry; these have ranged from a chimney service company, to hearth retailer, and also with the manufacture of products. The companies he has served as CEO of have included:
The Chimney Doctor Inc 1982 – 2010
The Fire Place Patio & Grill 1982 – 2010
Islands By Design 2006 – 2010
In 2010 he founded a consulting company, Chimney and Venting Consultants, to offer the industry his service as an educator and consultant, and also as a service to the legal and insurance industries as an expert in his fields. The service to the legal profession has been ongoing as a service he has provided for a number of years while involved as the CEO of The Chimney Doctor Inc. This includes training conducted at his independent training facility located in Concord NC.
He has been a member of the faculty to offer instruction at the Chimney Safety Institute of America training center in Indianapolis Indiana presenting programs on documentation and standard of care. These training endeavors have been directed to field technicians, office staff and company management.
There has been a tremendous industry involvement over the 30 year career service to many trade associations, this has also involved the time spent in Europe in regards the education of the European chimney service industry. During the industry association and educational foundation work he has been instrumental in the development of the NFPA 211 chimney inspection standards and also in the development of the industry standards involving the standard of care.
Service is also provided for architects and builders in regards analysis of field issues and the preparation of solutions from air quality issues, performance issues, and the review of plans and on site supervision of construction and installation involving sold fuel systems and their allied venting systems. He is also commonly consulted as a source for field failure of venting systems for consumers, insurance companies, and others.
During the 30-year career he has become a source for many news and magazine articles on various subject for which he holds expertise.
Jerry Isenhour beings to you a person who has knowledge of codes and standards, however he also brings a wealth of knowledge as to how this translates to design, construction, and problem analysis in the real world. Additionally he is recognized as the one of the leading educators of the industry and that others seldom challenge his opinions offering you the ability to work your case in the most efficient manner for your client.
Jerry Isenhour continues to educate and serve the industry daily through speaking engagements, technical assistance, consulting, and coaching, With him as your support person you will have a resource who is well respected throughout the industry by his peers and who's opinions are well founded, based on fact and not conjecture or unfounded logic.
INDUSTRY OFFICES HELD OVER CAREER:
PRESIDENT N.C. CHIMNEY SWEEP ASSOCIATION - 3 ONE-YEAR TERMS
VICE-PRESIDENT N.C. CHIMNEY SWEEP ASSOCIATION - 3 ONE-YEAR TERMS
November 20, 20110 CommentsBloggies by Karen Lamansky, Director of Marketing
At Lindemann Chimney Supply we provide you with as much information as we can on upcoming chimney sweep and hearth industry events. In the upcoming seminar, Transform your Business DNA -- East Coast Summit, the presenters are Tom Urban and Jerry Isenhour. This seminar is is hosted and sponsored by the North Carolina Chimney Sweep Association and the South Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild. Here is some information about Tom Urban.
Tom is the founder and president of Estoban Corporation and has been working in the Chimney/heating industry for 28 years. His full time commitment is to provide the best equipment possible to photo document places where your head can't fit i.e. Chimney, duct work, etc. Tom is a nationally known speaker on a variety of subjects.
Tom owned and operated Urban's Chimney Sweep and Supply Company in Northeast Pennsylvania for 1978-1984. He introduced the relining of masonry chimneys with stainless steel liner and the use of ceramic blanket to wrap around the liner to prevent heat loss, which is now a industry standard. He also developed a method to ovalize the stainless steel pipe to be installed into rectangular chimney flues, which is also used to day.
He researched and developed the use of closed circuit cameras inside confined spaces such as chimney and heating/cooling ducts in buildings. This research led to the integration of cameras for use in other fields, such as agriculture, municipalities, utility companies, biologists, and engineering firms. In 1984 Tom stared Estoban Corporation and registered the trademark of its main product the Chim-Scan.
Tom designs and provides training seminars on chimney relining, oil burner technology, chimney section procedures, photo documentation and interpretation training and seminars on computer generated reports. Tom has been a teacher at the CSIA in Indianapolis, IN since it's opening in 2000. He teaches as a part of a team of four on diagnosis and documentation procedures to sweeps, engineers, and home inspectors. The 3 to 5 day course is also taken on the road twice a year. Tom developed a multi-media course that includes Power-Point presentations and hands-on study.
He has been a speaker at regional and national conventions in the chimney industry as well as heating and fireplace industries consecutively for 20 years. He was one of the founding directors of the Pennsylvania State Chimney Sweep Guild in 1982. In 1989 Tom was part of the first team of chimney professionals to document the conditions of all the fireplaces in the White House in Washington D.C. Estoban Corporation provided all the documentation equipment and Tom personally supervised the scanning and documentation of the chimneys
Tom has participated as an expert witness in numerous court cases. He worked with ABC 20/20 when they did a investigative report on carbon monoxide poisoning case in N.J. In 1998 he authored a four page report on carbon monoxide titled "Close Encounters with CO" that was printed and sold through the N.C.S.G. He provided equipment and setup for three episodes of "This Old House" on PBS, he even got to do a 4 min vinette called "Insider's Look at Your Chimney" (go to http://www.chimscan.net and click on educational videos to see it).
He is a professional member of the following organizations: National Chimney Sweep Guild (N.C.S.G) since 1979 and CSIA Certified Sweep # 210. Tom received the C.S.I.A's education Award in 2004 and the N.C.S.G. Presidents Award in 2009.
Here at Lindemann Chimney Supply we are always on the lookout for things which might help you in your business and we hit the jackpot with this product! It is an important safety and convenience item for your customer and a moneymaker for you. Everyone who has a dryer in their home should have one.
Product #560911
LintAlert actually senses when the dryer duct needs cleaning. Before installing you will need to thoroughly clean the dryer vent and fix any needed repairs. Then the tap and the hose is installed to the dryer vent as shown below. Attach the hose to the sensor, plug it in and calibrate it on the clean dryer vent. the LintAlert light should be green. Gradually as lint builds up the LintAlert lights will change from green to yellow to red so your customer knows it's time to get their dryer vent cleaned. When it lights up red this means the vent is 60% blocked and it also sounds an audible alarm.
If you want to do your customers a great service, promote future business, and make some good money in the process, take a minute to watch the video. We think you will agree. Click here to see the video.
The LintAlert suggested retail is $99.00 installed and the product number is 560911. To contact us for more information, click here. Feel free to call us at the following locations: Illinois 800-722-7230; Georgia 866-450-311 and New York 722-722-7230.
We save lives. By keeping chimneys clean and preventing fires we save people from deadly situations every day that we are out there. I’m very proud to be a part of this industry and associated with a wonderful group of people! All of us here at Lindemann Chimney Supply wish you all a safe and profitable 2013!
No other damper features this type of seal. Other similar dampers have a flat gasket or no gasket seal. In addition, the Energy Top Damper features precision engineering meaning it opens to the same pre-set height every time. You won’t find a lopsided Energy Top. Lifetime warranted
These products require air to dry and heat to fully cure them. Recommended application thickness is from about 1/8" to 1/4" maximum. This material can't be applied thicker because it won't thoroughly dry and when heat is applied it will bubble and blister. These fireplace refractory cements are available in the following brands: 
