What Makes Us Different?
More Experience. We have been involved in the chimney and fireplace industry longer than most. I started in the wood heat industry way back in the late 1970's, first as an installers helper, learning how to install wood stoves and fireplaces working under a master carpenter. I then worked in the showroom as a customer service rep (salesperson). During the downtime I spent my time reading all of the books we had in the store relating to wood and alternative heating, and a passion was born. My father and I then started a chimney sweep company... Hi-Tor chimney sweeps... and developed our bricklaying and masonry skills and learning and developing chimney lining relining systems.
About this same time we became involved in being a founding member of the New York State Chimney Sweep Guild and as a voting member to the National Chimney Sweep Guild when we chose to adopt the name change to the national chimney sweep guild. We also joined the wood heat alliance which has now developed into the Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association.
Better Educated. Not only were we the first company in Rockland and Westchester Counties to introduce chimney relining, we felt that being educated was important and spent both the time (and money) to attend conventions, seminars, and workshops starting all the way back to 1979 and we have continued that tradition today. We were the first C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep in Rockland and Westchester Counties, and continue to bring a C.S.LA to your home on every job! We are also instructors and have given seminars to home inspectors, real estate agents, fire departments and more.
Real world understanding. We have done work on ten's of thousands of chimneys and fireplaces, from the simplest types of sweeps to extremely complex historic restoration, and everywhere in between. We have done this work for chimney and venting systems for wood, oil, coal and gas heating systems, and with materials that span 250 years (or more) with a deep understanding of the technology of the time. 200 year old chimneys are vastly different than the chimneys of today. We have experience and training and knowledge of both ins and outs of the others in between, from Pre-Rumford fireplaces, right on thru to these modern close clearance fireplace systems.
Tools and Equipment. When we say we are a different kind of chimney company, we mean it. We are way more than a gutter guy who bought a brush. Did you know there are different types of Creosote? Different tools and equipment are required to properly sweep and evaluate a chimney. Sweeping alone there are a half a dozen ways to sweep a chimney depending on a variety of factors. Even a traditional sweep requires more than just running a brush down a flue. There is simply a lot more to it than that. We have a complete quiver of brushes, poles, and hand tools. We also have power sweeping tools and chimney cameras for video scanning.
NO ONE BRING MORE OF THIS THAN NY FIREPLACE DESIGNS INC!
