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The
Chimney industry is a changing trade. This business offers many
opportunities for people with a market, which services everything
from chimney inspections to relining. I grew up in this business
as my father; Jim McCready owns a large masonry company on the Eastern
Shore of Maryland. About 7 years ago, after college, a representative
of Solid/Flue Chimney Systems introduced us into the chimney industry.
Since
we had built hundreds of chimneys over the years we were very interested
in the concept of being able to reline damaged chimneys, as well
as restore historic unlined chimneys, in most cases without moving
a single brick. This market on a nationwide scale is virtually untouched
in my opinion.
As a Solid/Flue dealer for a period of years I learned to market,
construct, reline, and make expert decisions on a daily basis due
to training offered by various organizations such as the CSIA and
Solid/Flue's certification program. This market is very competitive,
so the key is education of the salesman, installer, and it moves
through to insurance companies and finally the homeowner. If homeowners
were educated, all of our phones would be ringing off the hook.
Many questions float through the air from all those involved in
the industry. One of my favorite things about being a "dealer"
was the support and help provided by other dealers in our network
of chimney professionals. Also a great deal of information is exchanged
at conventions and impact meetings.
After focusing on our market here in Maryland we found a great deal
in insurance work and the possibility for a very large restoration
market. Over the years our goal was achieved. We had a successful
dealership and were now part of a business to be proud of. As time
went on, I became more knowledgeable of technical information necessary
in our line of work, my dad and I began to realize we had all aspects
under control except the quality control of the material we were
dispensing in chimneys all over the state. We knew our product from
the point of delivery until it was pumped into the chimney. But,
what about from the time the raw materials were mined and blended
at the plant and shipped to us. We learned just how specific all
of the ingredients are and how they work together. Through the law
of physics, these materials will naturally have chemical reactions
when mixed together. So the ingredients as well as the amount of
the ingredient being blended has to be exact.
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This
issue raised an eye to refer back to jobs and check them thoroughly.
Most of our inspections passed with flying colors, but a few imposed
some questions. After repairing those chimneys that did not pass,
we decided to start our own manufacturing company with the help
of Eddie Pleasants who's long-time experience in the industry and
knowledge of chimney lining and venting techniques far surpasses
the norm. Thus the beginning of Chimney Restoration Systems, a cast-in-place
manufacturing company based in Cambridge, Maryland.
This
expansion, if you will, has given me the opportunity to know and
understand just how various materials work inside of a chimney.
In other words, I know now what I am pumping before it is removed
from the bag. The chimney being the "hub" of most of our
homes has a great responsibility. It can work correctly and keep
our minds at ease or it can spell disaster for many reasons. Our
responsibility to consumers is to not only sell, but to educate.
As a person who likes change in the work place, I am learning everyday
and will continue to do so. I am dedicated to offer my customers
a "good nights sleep".
Now being a part of Chimney Restoration Systems and also their first
dealer I have a great respect for others in the industry. We do
not have competition; we are all in this business together. The
objective of anyone in the chimney industry is to make chimneys
"safer" and not make false calls. Our company offers extensive
technical support, and an actual chimney built, pumped, and tested
with every batch of lining mix manufactured, before it is shipped
to our dealers. Our installers and sales personnel are all trained
and knowledgeable of our material and how it works. I feel a great
sense of reward and accomplishment in our business and hope to continue
serving the industry in the future. My next focus will be to become
involved in organizations such as the National Chimney Sweep Guild
and various others. I feel these organizations are an arsenal of
information and support pertinent to our growing industry. Our motto
is "Restoring America…One Chimney at a time", I feel
we are doing our part with a conscience as well as many other reputable
installers or sweeps in the country. With an open mind and some
common sense we can all work together to make the chimney industry
a better place.
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