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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDiNESDAY, MARCH 24,1982, PAGE 7 Austin Topper iis s weeping the nation 's chimeys The sweep's mo.dern equipment. Vacuunnng the chimùiey By RHONDA FOSKETT Free Press Staff With the m e- emergence of fîreplaces and wood stoves as a primary source of home heating, the chimney sweep is slowly but surely regaining the prominence he eujoyed during the l9th century. In the last'century, the chimuey sweep was as important to the in- dividual homeowner as the electrician of plum- ber is today. The Austin Topper Chimney Sweeps Inc. was founded by Paul Iz- zard'some six years ago lu Don Mils although he now works out of Pickering. Izzard's business now employs five sweeps. Inu the past, chlmuey sweeps travelled from rooftop to roof top but thauks to the marvels of modemn technology, this 15 no longer the case. These days' powerful vacuum cleaners and flexible fibre glass roda are used. Now ouly 10 per cent of the jobs are doue on the rooftop. "The real key to our success is out equip- met"Izzard says, "We're better able to do a better and more ef- ficient job.' "We've put chimney sweeps lu . business across Canada from Prince Edward Island to Vancouver."' His fimst intemest lu this field came wheu he ~ST read an article put out by his local fire depar- tment which said that many home fires could be attributed to chim- ney bulld-up. Having studied the' possible growth in this field, Izzard felt that with rapidly rising fuel costs, people would again be turnlng to wood burning appliances as a source of home heat. Izzard stresses, that for proper safety, it'la imperative that al chimneys,' especi ally those used for wood stoves and fireplaces, be iuspected on an an- nual basis. 011 flues, he added, should be cleaned every five years. The major hazard to be aware of i5 creosote. Creosote is a dangerously flammable stick3i substance that accumulates inside the chimney wall. This sib- stance is removed with specially designed steel brushes. "l6uI the old days, they (chimney sweeps) used a heavy chain with a weight on it to ýshove down the chimney," Iz- zard explains, "The only thing tr aditional about our business is our dress top-bats and tails." Auston Toppers wil not only dlean chim- ueys, but they are ex- perienced in dealing with 011 furnaces and, fireplaces as welI. 4 Chimney sweeping can be done at any time of the year and the job only takes about one hour to complete. lzzard says that his busiest times of year are April; May sud August through to.the Christmas season. It would seem that Iz- zard bas rediscovered the long forgotten art of the chlmney sweep and brought it back into the forefront' lu.this fuel hungry and technology society. And technology la the. Fat is beatfl cornerstone of theý modern chimuney sweep. "IWe want to stay one step ahead of the com- petition," Izzard says, "There was nothing' when we started. It was wide -open. It wasn't forgotten. People are well aware that they need their chimneys swept, they just dldn't have the opportunities they have today. " Well,' Izzard aud Austin Toppers are profitably providing that opportunlty. ',fo AUSTINTOPPE Have Your Chimney Swept byMAR.21 IMNE SW PS NC. "THE AUSTIN TOPPER WAY"Y AND PAY ONLY $29a95 Reg.$45.OO 110/ FIREPLACE OR WOODSTOVE CLEANING WH Y risk a ch im ney t ire ? Don't 1l'et a dirty chimney ruin the safety and, efficiency of your fireplace or woodstove. Dirty chimneys are a fire hazard. The right ignition temperature and enough creosote (an oily iquid. distilled from wood, coal or oil) and. .. YOU WILL HAVE A FIA E. PUNCTUALITY'ý THOROUGHNESS EXPERTISE CLEANLINESS' 686m0226bor 425m6864 CANADA'S LEADINO NAME IN THE UNDUSTRY APRIL RIOL: Cj * I - - 4RnTn 218 HARVVOOD Aw.V S'. JAX SOPING PLAZAw *EPONE6316 DAYS "COAST TO COAST55 - - ..avaa a~ 0 _- - -~ ~. -h