Today’s chimney sweeps, while still employing much of the old-school equipment like rods and brushes to scrape off creosote, now use digital cameras to look into the flue, sending images via smartphone back to the office to be viewed on flat-screen monitors.Ĭhimney Savers has taken a lead in updating the business by requiring all its field sweeps and technicians to be certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, outfitting employees in matching uniforms and providing nearly statewide service. Such horrendous practices are long gone, of course, and that’s not all that’s been brought into the modern age. The image of the soot-covered chimney sweep is ingrained in people’s minds by the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins, in which Dick Van Dyke leads a troupe of dancing sweeps singing Step in Time on the rooftops of Edwardian London, a scene which slightly sugarcoated the image of a trade that was then infamous for exploiting children to fit in the narrow smokeshafts. One or two heavy boot-clad feet stomp the floor.įor generations, chimney sweeps were solo or two-man operations, frequently done on the side by roofers and masons, a trade passed down from father to son. The room breaks into applause for a second raucous outburst. “Another one, short,” Albandia said, reading the second note. He launches into the first item of business: reading emails from customers commenting on recent jobs done by chimney sweeps and chimney technicians crowded in the room. This is the busiest time of the year for the sweeps as many work all available daylight hours to get fire hearths and wood burning stoves ready for the coming winter.Īlan Albandia, the operations manager who chairs the meeting, knocks the table to signal it’s time to get serious. So begins another day for the chimney sweeps crew at Chimney Savers, one of the largest chimney sweep and maintenance companies in Vermont. My wife told me to tell you he’s even handsomer than you are,” Cook cracked. “I met your brother last night in White River Junction.” “Hey, Matt,” Russel Cook said across the room to crew leader Matt Brown. More than two dozen of them, many with beards, hold cups of takeout coffee, sit in chairs around a conference table, against the wall and deep into the room. and time for roll call.Ī room full of men all dressed in black are assembling for their daily early-morning staff meeting. Send requests to Valley News - Geoff Hansen May not be reprinted or used online without permission. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. Chimney Savers is the largest chimney operation in the Upper Valley. Send requests to Valley News - Geoff HansenĬhimney Savers' Connor Gerrish prepares a sand mix for one of two chimneys under reconstruction at a Pomfret, Vt., home renovation on Oct. All of the company's field sweeps and technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Send requests to Valley News - Geoff HansenĬhimney Savers' Jeff Poirier works on building columns near the top of a chimney at a home under renovation in Pomfret, Vt., on Oct. Chimney Savers is one of the largest chimney sweep and chimney maintenance companies in Vermont. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.Īs a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.From left, Chimney Savers' Jeff Poirier, Connor Gerrish and Jeff Staff work on lining and rebuilding the first of two fireplace chimneys at a home under renovation in Pomfret, Vt., on Oct. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.īBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.īBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.
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