Today, we celebrate with the father of chimney scanning and a great Dad (according to Shelley). Tom Urban not only built the first chimney inspection camera but was also the first man to inspect a chimney! Over 40 years later, he’s still building and repairing Chim-Scan® inspection systems today! Happy Father’s Day, Tom, and to all the other fathers, we hope you have a good day, a good meal, and a new remote!
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Meet Binx Hijinx– Inspector 13. He is a tough nut to crack. Not much gets past him. He’s clever, stealthy, and able to sneak into any product video scene without warning. At the least expected moment, he lands on any desktop or workstation, inspecting the work and sniffing out office snacks. While on duty, he consistently inspects products, keyboards, suspicious noises, and smells (particularly lunch). He takes his work very seriously. He particularly enjoys night patrols when all of the other employees are sleeping.
We celebrate with Bella, who is in charge of security here at Estoban. No one gets past her! She clocks in early every morning, paces the parameters, checks the interior, and monitors traffic flow in the building. In her free time, Bella enjoys long car rides, trips to the post office, treats from Marvin, and hugs from her mom. Celebrate your pet this week! Share photos of your pet or office “helper”! We would love to see them! From your friends at Estoban We are busy building, upgrading, and repairing the Chim-Scan® Internal Evaluation Systems because we can. After all, we build them here in Iowa. ![]() Pride month is about respecting people, their choices, and their identity. It is about becoming comfortable in yourself, not what someone else wants you to be. This June, we honor the beautiful spectrum of love and community brightening our world. Pride is more than a celebration—it's a powerful statement of acceptance, resilience, and belonging, and the chance to be ourselves unapologetically. ![]() June 1st has different meanings for different people. It is Andy Griffith’s birthday. It’s Oscar the Grouch Day and Say Something Nice Day (both on the same day!). It is also the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season and Bedbug Awareness Week. There is one that we prefer (next to being nice), and that is New Year's Resolution Recommitment Day. Remember back to that cold, nasty time in January? Hopefully, you enjoyed the time spent with family and friends during the holidays. As you had some time to relax, did you have an epiphany of how you wanted your life to look, and you decided to create a rearrangement of priorities? Well, here we are. Halfway through the year. How’s that list looking for you today? The good news is, it’s not too late to jump back in!
The causes of most chimney deterioration fall into four categories: Wear & Tear, Latent Defects, Moisture, and Sudden Occurrence. When a defect is found in a chimney, the origin (cause) is essential to categorize so the homeowner understands the "why" of what occurred. Sometimes damages overlap into more than one category. I created the Four Pathways to Chimney Deterioration for Masonry flue and Prefabricated flues so it would be easier to determine which "bucket" the defect falls into. It’s important to remember that the defect source may not be covered by insurance. A cracked masonry flue tile should not automatically be considered a result of a sudden occurrence like a chimney fire. Other events or situations could have caused it. The chart below shows the Four Pathways to Deterioration categories and whether defects found in the category are insurable. This chart is intended to be a reference only, but in the end, it comes down to the homeowner's policy and what the insurance adjuster determines. Your job is to collect the data (due diligence) so the adjustor can decide.
![]() Cinco de Mayo is a holiday originally celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, where it’s said they were outnumbered 2 to 1. This happened during the Franco-Mexican War on May 5th, 1862. Even though the war eventually continued, resulting in the French occupation of Mexico City, the US began to provide political and military assistance after the Civil War. The French unconditionally surrendered and withdrew. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in California in 1863 when Mexican miners were so excited when they heard of the defeat, they had an immediate celebration. It took some time, but Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican American culture, cuisine, music, and heritage, with events in major cities across the country scheduled. It is celebrated with music, dancing, ceremonies, activities, cuisine, and beer. Happy Cinco de Mayo! From all of us at Estoban |
AuthorTom Urban has worked in the Chimney and Hearth industry for 45 years. He's been an inventor and manufacturer for 40+ of those years. Archives
June 2025
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