• Home
  • Products
    • Chim-Scan® Units >
      • Series 100 >
        • 100 w/ Lighthouse Tilt
        • 100 w/J3D Chimney IInspection Camera
        • 100 with Mini-Enviro Camera
        • 100 with Dryer Vent Camera
      • Basic
      • Chim-Scan® Series 211 >
        • 211 w/J3D Camera
        • 211 with Lighthouse™ Tilt Camera
        • 211 with Mini-Enviro™
    • Chim-Scan® Chimney Cameras >
      • Lighthouse Tilt
      • J3D Camera
      • Mini-Enviro Cameras >
        • Mini-Enviro Camera for Scanning
        • Mini-Enviro Camera on Wired Gooseneck Rod
      • Dryer Vent Camera Plus
    • Our Books
    • Kwick-Lock™ Rods >
      • Kwick Lock™ Rod Kits
      • Kwick Lock™ Rods - Individual & Gooseneck
      • Kwick Lock™ Rod Caddy
      • Adaptors
    • Accessories >
      • Adaptors
      • Replacement Parts
      • Replacement Lenses
      • Whisker Stabilizers
      • Screen-Shooter
      • Keyboard - Why $295
    • Vacuum >
      • 10-Gallon HEPA Vac
  • Repair Form
  • Small Parts Order Form
  • How to Order/Order Page
  • Resources
  • Homeowners page
    • South East Iowa Sweep
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
    • Our Chim-Scan Story
    • Our History - SNEWS
  • Videos
    • How To Videos >
      • LH and LHT videos
      • Combo Cameras videos
    • Informative videos
    • Scanning Videos
    • From Roof Scanning
    • Historical Tutorials
  • Contact
  • ScanMan's Blog
  • Chimney Sweep Lore
  • FAQ
  • TroubleShooting Guide
  • LINKS
  • Current Customers
    • Chim-Scan® Manual
    • Repair and Upgrade Options
  • 2024 Catalog

Fall Again in America

1/17/2018

0 Comments

 
Thoughts from the Scanman
It's Fall in America again - children are back in school, Friday night football games, hot chocolate, and the smell of fall is in the air. Fall is the busiest time of the year for the chimney sweeping trade. It includes long days, cramped schedule books, and ordering supplies.

For us in Iowa, it's harvest time; our neighbors are operating 24/7 running combines, and tractor-trailers filled with the grain are on their way to the Mississippi to load the barges heading out for export. Living in the Midwest grain belt seems like a funny place in relation to the chimney industry, but we have been in Iowa over 30 years from our Pennsylvania roots.
 Since 1978, I have been in all aspects of this industry, from a fledgling sweep in northeast Pennsylvania to the owner and operator of an interior chimney inspection camera and accessory manufacturer that sells equipment worldwide. I still remember the Mass. Guild meetings at the Lennox Inn! To this day, I still hold and retest the CSIA certification test. I have taken the test(s) 14 times. My certification number is 210, but I'm still in the field at heart! We have provided vision to thousands of chimney, masonry, and HVAC companies. 
 
Keeping up with technology
Since 2014 Estoban went through an extensive change in operations and product design. What we used to make with the shears, snips, drill presses, and manual lathes, we now manufacture with CNC machining centers and lathes.  This computer-operated machinery allows us to create older parts in half the time, plus replacement parts are guaranteed to fit. We liked how well the new CNC machine worked that we bought two more. One was identical to the first machine center, so we had a backup if one didn't work. Sure, enough, one part of the machine did go wrong, but we didn't miss a step.
 We have offered inspection equipment to fulfill many of your needs through all the ups and downs.  Our mission statement has always been to provide quality imagery and support for our customers and continues 33 years later. With continual improvements and YouTube videos helping owners with company training, meetings on using the cameras are growing. We are just finishing a new 4000 sq. ft. shop addition to help with our expanding needs.
Beginning with an End in Mind
One area of business that all of us need to address is creating an exit strategy.  My wife Esther and I started working together shortly after we were married.  In 2004, one of our customers stopped by our shop in Iowa.  He and his brother relied on the Chim-Scan to generate new work, and the cameras were a major part of their company. He wanted to know our plan after Tom and Esther were no longer working?   Gee, we had been so busy designing better products for everyone we hadn't taken the time to think about "retiring" or a catastrophic health event.
So, we started looking at what options would be available.  Sell the company; hire middle management, etc.  We hired business advisors who helped us formulate a plan.  Yes, this is expensive, but they brought many ideas to the table that we had not thought of.  As we set forth a plan, we hired them back three times over the next ten years.  Each time they gave us new goals and projects to work on.
First, we had to decide what retirement looked like?   We enjoy what we do and who we work with. So, we made a conscious decision to simply work fewer hours and hire good people who could run the day-to-day operations.  We took a week off to try it, and when we came back, we fixed what didn't work. Then we tried for two weeks. Again, we fixed what broke. That meant writing the dreaded S.O.P. etc.  We found that power points work great for SOP writing. Set the copy, add a photo, then the next step. The great part is they can be printed and placed in notebooks or put on Microsoft 365 to share and update them when needed.
 I highly recommend a LEAN process called Streaming. Take post-it notes or 3 x 5 cards and go through each step of an operation. Lay them out on a table with all persons within the company watching. Then see if all agree on the steps or the need for more post-it notes or cards. Then align them in a sequence to reduce time and waste. Only the persons involved should do this for their department for larger companies. Then departments share their results with other departments to see if things align with the company mission.
We have found through trial and error that big expensive relational database programs require rigid rules to keep them going properly. (YOU NEED I-T PEOPLE) After a while, you wonder if the dog is wagging the tail, or is the tail wagging the dog. We now operate on two programs, QuickBooks and Microsoft Office. Period! The flexibility to do some operations are easier in these programs than in a total package system. We even learned how to use QuickBooks as a database for all the language used in our inspection program. We can write an estimate that looks like an inspection form, either level 1 or 2, with over 350 paragraphs stored in QuickBooks!
Regarding MS Office, SOPs, PowerPoint, Excel for production purposes, and Publisher for documents. I still believe in Leonardo DaVinci's saying, "Youth should be taught perspective then Proportion." It's a big world out there; at some point, you need to figure out who you are and what makes you happy. From there, work on the proportions needed to make your dream come true. When you reach this point, begin the measuring process needed to fulfill that dream. Until you set up the systems to measure it, your dream can stay just that, a dream. LEAN training and streaming really help in this area.
Reinventing ourselves
 Our daughter decided that there were opportunities to join the company in 2010. Shelley is now our office manager; after working her way up thru wiring, repairs, purchasing, and customer service as far as our other employees have been here, 29, 15, 8, 5, 2 years and one that just started six months ago. Also, the other protection needed was to purchase Keyman insurance on principles within the company. Again, another failsafe to be sure of continued support for our customers.
Once we had our plans in place, we realized that many of our customers would need to think the same way.  Some companies would simply stop working because they never set up their exit strategy.  Others had family members who would like to continue the business.  Our equipment was now such an important part of many companies' daily work.  The question is no longer why I need to buy a Chim-Scan, but how can we make sweeping and scanning easier, quicker, and less stress on the sweeps body.
As with every trade, the tides of change are on the rise.  As some companies grow, others are starting to retire.  Some will leave with a legacy; others just close the doors.  As we attend various trade shows, it's comforting to have our older customers come to our booth to introduce a son, daughter, or partner who will take over the business. 
It's interesting to see new and old companies begin to grow way past the expectations of many, sometimes even themselves. They now have segmented operations, field personnel, staff meetings, human resources, marketing plans, and operations managers.
It's a far cry from the top hat and tails, "sweep your chimney for $40.00 with the big red vacuum".  And the goal then was to make van payments repay student loans and mortgages.  Maybe this is too much organization in your life?  Maybe just enough.  You be the judge.  I know many 1-2 truck operations that lead a life they feel comfortable with.  Others aren't comfortable until they reach 25-50 trucks with a goal for the stock exchange.
 
Making Sweeps Life's Easier
We looked over the data we collected to find what part of the equipment needed the most repairs.  We realized that most companies were not using the centering device to protect the camera and that the cables were most vulnerable to damage.
In 2013, we created the lighthouse camera with its 360-degree, continuous variable-rate pan camera to help prevent cable twisting and stop the operator from having to twist their wrists all the time: no more twisted cables, and easier on the operator's wrists. Plus, the add-in cable reeler corrected cable storage problems.
   When we added the Enviro camera to view straight up, this combo camera system included the stabilizers.  As we tested this in the field, we created a way that sweeps could look straight up the flue (viewing offsets, misaligned liners, crack liners, and blockages in real-time) as they went up the flue. They could switch to cam 2 and view the side walls (open mortar joints, cracks in liners, missing liner sections) as they pulled the camera back down the flue.  We then stored these two cameras and the attached stabilizers in their own caddy.  All the sweep has to do is connect the 50' cable, and they are ready to scan. Plus, we make the adapters to any rod system you currently have, no more switching rods! This rugged two-camera system cut the scanning time in half, yet you can see twice as much of the flue's interior.
 Even though one liner crack can justify a repair or reline, scanning the entire chimney appears to be a waste of time for some sweeps. By 1985 our Pa. sweep company had placed in 260 liners. I have stories of liners not fitting, a stainless boneyard, and all the headaches involved in NOT scanning all the chimney to see what was down there to hang liners up! With this system, in the time spent looking for one crack or defect, I can have the entire flue scanned and recorded in video format or still Jpegs.
The lighthouse combo camera answered many of the repair issues that we had, which increased reliability and reduced downtime.
The lighthouse camera has an acrylic lens cover, for easy change out in the field. Also, a replaceable flexible shaft between the two cameras allows easier access up thru a thimble chimney and prefabricated fireplace dampers.  Also, the newly designed stabilizers can be easily fitted in the field.
Now, in 2017, we wanted to address the safety and fatigue of our customers.  So, we accomplished the goal of reducing camera repairs, stopping twisting rods in your hands, offering better vision through better resolution; use specialty adapted LED lights to create a full spectrum light array.  Plus, our goal was to build a camera for our newest product, "the Raptor: so that sweeping, and scanning could be accomplished at the same time.
All concepts are designed for the consideration of the chimney sweep's time.  Roll in, set up, sweep, scan, use the Flue & Hearth notes as your checklist, so when it is time to be with the customer, you are ready and have collected the information necessary to explain your findings in Level 1 or 2 inspections.  The Flue and Hearth Notes™ are segmented so that you can direct the customers' attention to a certain area of the chimney to reduce confusion and promote trust.
By segmenting the inspection, we found out how much faster and more complete inspections could be done and how many new opportunities were created. By going through the checklist, all the defects are noted and operational. The uniformity provides the office or manager with the same info as the sweep sees. (Collect data, train techs, engage managers, create a uniform platform to measure in one step). We have our own system we have used for several years. The checklist gets the data; QuickBooks with 300+ paragraphs have the explanations. The Flue and Hearth Notes™ is available in a paper triplicate form or use the fillable PDF to use on a computer, Android pads, or IPads.
We have not done articles for some time, to the point there are industry rumors that we are no longer in business. It takes time to walk the walk and place these changes into place and make them operational.  This family's business plan has positioned itself to be here another 35 years. The other rumor concerning that Chim-Scans cost over $5000.00 is also exaggerated. With the process of high technology machine works we now offer units starting at $1995.00. Check out our website: www.chimscan.net   Text photos or questions to cell phone 641-919-4896. We have full-time personnel answering the phone from 9:00 C.S.T. to 5:00 p.m.
Esther, Shelley, and I want to thank all of you who have placed your trust in our products. As Red Green would say," if you can't be handsome, be handy. And remember to keep your stick on the ice!" Have a great holiday season. Take Care. 

​©2024 Estoban Corporation LLC. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Tom 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
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2022
    January 2018
    August 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    June 2013
    November 2010
    August 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All
    2024
    ABCs 20/20
    Adjustable Chimney Camera Lens
    Angles Of Imagery
    Animals In Chimney
    Animals Nest In Chimney
    April Fool
    April Fools
    Ash Bucket
    Ash Pit
    Attic Leaks
    Bella
    Black Chimney Soot Stains
    Blue Collar Magazine
    Building Chimneys
    Building Fireplaces
    Burned Creosote
    Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
    Chimney
    Chimney Camera
    Chimney Camera Inspection Systems
    Chimney Camera Manufacturer
    Chimney Camera Repairs
    Chimney Cameras
    Chimney Camera Upgrade
    Chimney Cap With Screen
    Chimney Cleaned
    Chimney Cleaning
    Chimney Critters
    Chimney Crown
    Chimney Damaged By Storm
    Chimney Deterioration
    Chimney Fire
    Chimney Fire Flames
    Chimney Flue
    Chimney Flue Tiles
    Chimney Image Interpretation
    Chimney Images
    Chimney Industry
    Chimney Inspected
    Chimney Inspection
    Chimney Inspection Cameras
    Chimney Inspection Classes
    Chimney Inspections
    Chimney Inspector
    Chimney Interior
    Chimney Lab
    Chimney Leaks
    Chimney Liner
    Chimney Professional
    Chimney Rods
    Chimney Safety
    Chimney Safety Institute Of America
    Chimney Scan
    Chimney Scanned
    Chimney Scanning
    Chimney Scanning And Inspection Guide
    Chimney Scanning Angles
    Chimney Scanning & Inspection Books
    Chimney Scanning & Inspection Guide
    Chimney Scanning & Inspection Process
    Chimney Splay
    Chimney Stain Removal
    Chimney Sweep
    Chimney Sweeper
    Chimney Sweeping
    Chimney Sweeping Business
    Chimney Sweeps
    Chimney Technician
    Chimney Video
    Chimney Video Interpretation
    Chimney Viewing Equipment
    Chimney Wash
    Chim Scan®
    Chim-Scan®
    ChimScan
    Chim Scan Camera
    Chim-Scan Camera
    Chim Scan Cameras
    Chim-Scan Cameras
    Chim Scan® Chimney Camera
    Chim-Scan® Chimney Camera
    Chim-Scan® Chimney Camera Interior Evaluation System
    Chim Scan® Continuous Rotation Chimney Camera
    Chim-Scan® Continuous Rotation Chimney Camera
    Chim Scan® Dryer Vent Camera
    Chim-Scan® Dryer Vent Camera
    Chim-Scan Extreme Chimney Inspection Camera
    Chim Scan® Factory Training
    Chim-Scan® Factory Training
    Chim-Scan® Factory Training Guide
    Chim Scan® Factory Training Program
    Chim-Scan® Factory Training Program
    Chim Scan Inspection System
    Chim-Scan Inspection System
    Chim Scan® Internal Chimney Inspection Systems
    Chim-Scan® Internal Chimney Inspection Systems
    Chim Scan® Internal Evaluation System
    Chim-Scan® Internal Evaluation System
    Chim-Scan® Internal Evaluation Systems
    Chim Scan® LED Lights
    Chim-Scan® LED Lights
    Chim-Scan® Lens Replacement
    Chim Scan® Monitor
    Chim-Scan® Monitor
    Chim Scan's® 0 90 Degree Tilt Lens
    Chim-Scan's® 0-90 Degree Tilt Lens
    Chim Scan System
    Chim-Scan System
    Chim-Scan® Video Cable
    Cinco De Mayo
    Cinders
    Clean Chimney
    CNN
    Coal Soot
    Combustible Deposits In Flue
    Combustion Products
    Commercial Chimney Camera
    Cracked Chimney Crown
    Cracked Chimney Liner
    Cracked Flue
    Cracked Flue Tile Liner
    Cracked Flue Tiles
    Creoosote
    Creosote
    CSFT
    CSIA
    Damaged Chimney Flashing
    Damaged Chimney Tile
    Damaged Flue Tile Liner
    Dark Creosote Stains
    Defective Chimney Flashing
    Defective Flue Tile Liner
    Defective Mortar Joint
    Deteriorated Chimney Liner
    Deteriorated Prefab Chimney
    Disconnected Joints In Prefabricated Chimney
    Disconnected Stainless Chimney Sections
    Dripping Creosote
    Dryer Element Burn Out
    Dryer Not Working
    Dryer Taking Long Time
    Dryer Vent
    Dryer Vent Blockage
    Dryer Vent Camera
    Dryer Vent Cleaning
    Dryer Vent Fires
    Dryer Vent Inspection
    Dryer Vent Lint Build-up
    Easter
    Efflorescence
    Eroded Mortar Joints
    Esther Urban
    Estoban
    Estoban Corporation
    Estobsn
    Extreme Chimney Inspection Camera
    Fairfield
    Fall Protection
    Family
    FHN Do Confirm Checklist
    FHN Do-Confirm Checklist
    FHN Read Do Forms
    FHN Read-Do Forms
    FHN Summary Reports
    Firebrick
    Fire Extinguisher
    Fire Marshal
    Fireplace
    Fireplace Cleaned
    Fireplace Damper
    Fireplace Grate
    Fireplace Hearth
    Fireplace Inspection
    Fireplace Opening
    Fireplaces
    Fireplace Screens Rusting
    Fireplace Spark Screen
    Firestarter
    Fire Starters
    Firestarters
    Firewood
    Flaking Flue Tile
    Flue Blockage
    Flue Gases
    Flue & Hearth Notes Checklist
    Flue & Hearth Notes Summary Forms
    Flue & Hearth Notes™ Chimney Inspection Forms
    Flue Tiles
    Forensic Investigator
    Four Pathways To Chimney Deterioration
    Gas Log Set
    Gas Wood Igniter
    Glass Door Rusted
    Glazed Flue
    Glossy Creosote
    Good Friday
    Hairline Cracks In Chimney
    Halloween
    Heating Appliance
    Hidden Breeching
    Hidden Chimney Breeching
    Hole In Flue
    Home Fires
    Home Inspecter
    Home Inspector
    Hunting
    Inland Marine
    Inspect Appliance Installations
    Inspection Form
    Intense Chimney Fire
    Interior Chimney Inspection
    Interior Chimney Scanning
    Interior Video Inspection System
    Internal Chimney Camera Systems
    Internal Chimney Inspections
    International Residential Code
    International Residential Code IRC
    Iowa
    IRC
    J3D
    J3D Chim Scan® Camera
    J3D Chim-Scan® Camera
    Kindling
    Kwick-Lock Chimney Inspection Rods
    Kwick-Lock Rods
    Lack Of Disclosure
    Leaking Chimney
    Leaky Chimney
    Leaky Chimney Flashing
    Level 1 Chimney Inspection
    Level 2 Chimney Inspection
    Light Chimney Soot
    Lighthouse Chimney Camera
    Lighthouse™ Tilt Chimney Camera
    Listed Chimney Liner
    Loose Chimney Flashing
    Masonry Chimney
    Masonry Flue Tile
    Mini Enviro Camera
    Mini-Enviro Camera
    Mini Enviro In Bracket
    Mini-Enviro In Bracket
    Mini Enviro On Gooseneck
    Mini-Enviro On Gooseneck
    Mini-Enviro™ JS Ball
    Misaligned Chimney Liner
    Misaligned Chimney Tiles
    Misaligned Flue Liners
    Misaligned Flue Tiles
    Missing Chimney Cap
    MIssing Mortar In Joint
    Mortar Joi8nt
    Mortar Joints
    National Chimney Sweep Guild
    National Fire Prevention Week
    National Fire Protection Association 211
    NCSG
    New Chimney
    New Prefabricated Chimney
    New Year's Resolution
    New Year's Resolution Recommittment Day
    NFPA
    NFPA 211
    NFPA 211 Standard For Chimneys
    NFPA Level 1
    NFPA Level 2
    Obstruction In Flue
    Oil Soot
    Open Motor Joints
    Oprah
    OSHA
    OSHA Guidelines
    Personal Protection Equipment
    Poor Flue Mortar
    PPE For Chimney Sweeps
    Prefabricated Chimney
    Prefabricated Fireplace
    Priorities
    Products Of Combustion
    Protruding Mortar Joints
    Puffy Creosote
    Reflective Creosote
    Refurbish Chim-Scan
    Reline Chimney
    Relined Chimney
    Remove Chimney Liner
    Repair Chimney Liner
    Repair Chim Scan
    Repair Chim-Scan
    Repair Rireplace
    Replace Crown
    Replace Fireplace Damper
    Respirator
    Resurface Chimney Flue
    Rotating Chim-Scan® Camera
    Rusted Ash Dump Door
    Rusted Chimney Pipe
    Safety Harness
    Santa
    Santa Clause
    Scan Chimney For Defects
    Scanning A Chimney With A Masonry Thimble Venting A Solid Or Liquid Fuel Appliance
    Scanning A Masonry Fireplace And Chimney
    Scanning And Inspecting A Masonry Fireplace With An Insert Or Hearth Stove
    Scanning A Prefabricated Chimney Venting A Solid Or Liquid Fuel Appliance
    Scanning A Prefabricated Fireplace And Chimney
    Scanning Chimneys
    Scorch Marks On Chimney Liner
    Screen-Shooter
    Seal Chimney Flashing
    Security Officer At Estoban
    Shelley Urban
    Shifted Flue Liner
    Shiney Creosote
    Smelly Fireplace
    Smoke Chamber
    SNEWS
    Soot
    Soot Smear
    Soot Stain
    Stainless Liner
    Stainless Steel Chimney Liner
    Start Fire In Fireplace
    Star Wars
    Stress Fracture In Clay Flue Tile
    Sudden Occurrence
    Sudden Occurrence Chimney Fire
    Sulfur Soot
    Tarlike Creosote
    Terra Cotta Flue Tile
    Thanksgiving
    Thermal Shock Damage In Flue Tiles
    Thermal Shock In Clay Flue Tile
    Thermal Stress In Chimney Flue
    This Old House
    Tilt Chimney Lens
    Tom Urban
    Unlined Chimney
    Upgrade Chim Scan
    Upgrade Chim-Scan
    Urban Inspection Language
    US Veterans
    Vegetation On Chimney
    Vents And Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances
    Veterans
    Visually Inspect Chimney
    Visually Inspect Fireplace
    Week Mortar Joints In Flue
    Wet Soot Smell
    White Chimney Stains
    White Streaks In Firebox

    RSS Feed

1643 Old Hwy 34, Fairfield, IA 52556
Office phone# 641-472-7643    
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 1984 to 2025 Estoban Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Products
    • Chim-Scan® Units >
      • Series 100 >
        • 100 w/ Lighthouse Tilt
        • 100 w/J3D Chimney IInspection Camera
        • 100 with Mini-Enviro Camera
        • 100 with Dryer Vent Camera
      • Basic
      • Chim-Scan® Series 211 >
        • 211 w/J3D Camera
        • 211 with Lighthouse™ Tilt Camera
        • 211 with Mini-Enviro™
    • Chim-Scan® Chimney Cameras >
      • Lighthouse Tilt
      • J3D Camera
      • Mini-Enviro Cameras >
        • Mini-Enviro Camera for Scanning
        • Mini-Enviro Camera on Wired Gooseneck Rod
      • Dryer Vent Camera Plus
    • Our Books
    • Kwick-Lock™ Rods >
      • Kwick Lock™ Rod Kits
      • Kwick Lock™ Rods - Individual & Gooseneck
      • Kwick Lock™ Rod Caddy
      • Adaptors
    • Accessories >
      • Adaptors
      • Replacement Parts
      • Replacement Lenses
      • Whisker Stabilizers
      • Screen-Shooter
      • Keyboard - Why $295
    • Vacuum >
      • 10-Gallon HEPA Vac
  • Repair Form
  • Small Parts Order Form
  • How to Order/Order Page
  • Resources
  • Homeowners page
    • South East Iowa Sweep
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
    • Our Chim-Scan Story
    • Our History - SNEWS
  • Videos
    • How To Videos >
      • LH and LHT videos
      • Combo Cameras videos
    • Informative videos
    • Scanning Videos
    • From Roof Scanning
    • Historical Tutorials
  • Contact
  • ScanMan's Blog
  • Chimney Sweep Lore
  • FAQ
  • TroubleShooting Guide
  • LINKS
  • Current Customers
    • Chim-Scan® Manual
    • Repair and Upgrade Options
  • 2024 Catalog