THE MASONRY MONTHLY
JUNE·2017
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
The Importance of the Fireplace Specialist A JOB WE STAND BEHIND
I ’ve been in the fireplace and chimney business for about 25 years now, and if one thing has stayed the same in all that time, year after year, it’s the number of bad installations. I see bad installations all the time, and it almost always comes down to the same reason. Whether it’s a renovation or new construction, general contractors bring on the wrong people to install the fireplace and chimney. They might rely on a carpenter to handle the project, top to bottom, rather than bringing in a fireplace specialist. People ask me why it’s so important to bring in a fireplace and chimney specialist, and I tell them it’s an installation that’s easy to get wrong. As a company, we go to training seminars whenever we can. Not long ago, we attended a seminar being held by Napoleon Fireplaces’ contractor. There were 60 contractors in the room, including ourselves. The Napoleon rep asked the group, “Who here reads the manual?” The question was in reference to the manual that is included with every fireplace they sell (and every fireplace on the market). Only our guys raised their hands. This surprised the Napoleon rep, but not us. We encounter poor installations often enough that we know contractors aren’t reading the manual. They’re making mistakes that are easily prevented when the installer takes the time to look at the manual. But it also goes a step further than that. When we read through these manuals, we spot some of the most asinine typos — words or sentences that make absolutely no sense. When we find these, we call or email the manufacturer and let them know. Their response is just like that of the Napoleon rep: surprise. Some of these manuals have been on the market for years and no one has said a thing. When a fireplace is installed incorrectly, that doesn’t necessarily mean something will go wrong, but the chances of something going wrong do go up. I’m talking about risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. In California, the law requires a carbon monoxide detector in every room with a fireplace, and for good
reason. If anything goes wrong with the fireplace or chimney, and carbon monoxide leaks into the home or business as a result, the consequences can be dire. It’s gotten to the point where we all know someone who has been affected by carbon monoxide poisoning — a friend, a neighbor,
a family member. It may have been a minor incident where the symptoms were recognized and quickly taken care of, and the source of the leak was fixed. Or it may have been more serious — someone may have died. This is the unfortunate reality of poorly installed fireplaces and chimneys, and the importance of proper installation cannot be overstated, especially when people lose their lives for no reason. This is one of the many reasons why we stand behind the general contractors who use us. We protect them when something goes wrong, even if it’s just improperly installed flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Ordinarily, when something goes wrong and a subcontractor makes a mistake, the general contractor is the one who takes the blame. We consider it our duty to take responsibility. Fireplaces and chimneys are a complex system. Each element of home construction is involved with the chimney, from foundation to framing to masonry and everything in between. We don’t expect the contractors who hire us to know every detail of the fireplace and chimney. That’s our job, and it’s a job we stand behind.
Dave Laverdiere
www.bostonbrick.com |
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THE DEATH OF PRODUCTIVITY!
TESTIMONIAL HERE’S WHAT A HAPPY CLIENT HAD TO SAY ABOUT ONE OF OUR SERVICES. Multitasking is also disastrous for anyone who’s actively trying to learn something. Split attention results in something called “inattentional blindness,” where your senses pick up stimuli like sounds or sights, but THE BEST CREW EVER “Just replaced two chimneys in our home. The best crew ever, led by Anthony Baer. Would not do it without him! Seamless execution, permitting, and cleanup. I sell real estate and have used BB&S for inspections and chimney work, but never in my own home. I can honestly recommend them highly to everyone, having experienced their professionalism firsthand. Thank you for making this such a nice experience!” — Ma rcy M., Ca lifornia The human brain simply doesn’t have the bandwidth to do two or more things at the same time. According to Dr. Susan Weinschenk, when you think you’re multitasking, what you’re really doing is task-switching, or rapidly going back and forth between tasks — sometimes as fast as one- tenth of a second. But that constant switching is mentally taxing. In fact, a study from the University of Sussex found that people who routinely multitask have lower gray matter density in the area of the brain that handles empathy, emotional control, and cognitive control. So, multitasking can literally damage your brain, but at least you’ll have a short-term boost in productivity, right? Unfortunately, no. Researchers have found that multitasking slashes productivity by as much as 40 percent. The quality of your work isn’t better, either. You can expect more mistakes and less creativity in your work when you’re multitasking. There simply isn’t room to daydream or think up ideas if your brain is being pushed to the brink.
your brain doesn’t register them. This is what happens when you’re texting someone on your phone while someone is talking to you in person — you don’t really “get” what the person just said. So, how should we manage our time? The key, ironically, is “single- tasking.” Approach tasks in sequence and give each one your total focus. While you’re doing them, build in short breaks to recharge periodically, such as a 10-minute social media break after 50 minutes of strenuous work, or 5 minutes after 25. Minimize distractions from email, social media, and phone notifications. Connecting with others should be its own task, not an always-on activity.
Single-tasking may not be easy in a world full of distractions, but if you master it, you’ll be amazed at how productive you can be!
OUR SERVICES
CHIMNEY
•Chimney inspection •Chimney restoration and repair •Chimney construction •Chimney sweeping
FIREPLACE •Fireplace inspection, restoration, or repair of an existing structure •Installation or reconstruction of new structures HARDSCAPE •Backyard patios
•Outdoor kitchens and barbecues •Outdoor steps, walkways, and paths •Retaining walls •Outdoor fireplaces •Driveways
HISTORICAL RESTORATION Our restoration work includes: •Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. •Repair and restoration of the chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. •Historical chimney restoration on the lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park. •Faithful restoration of the chimneys on the Nottingham and Arden properties in Beverly Hills. BRICK RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION
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THE SILENT KILLER
this deadly gas can escape into the home or surrounding structure, leading to inhalation by the occupants.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that over 5,000 people die every year as a result of CO poisoning. Many of these deaths are due to smoke inhalation (as smoke contains high quantities of CO). Additionally, upwards of 40,000 people seek medical attention after experiencing the symptoms of CO poisoning, but only when they recognize them as such. When the gas fills the air, occupants of the home may begin to feel sick or “out of it.” They know something is wrong, but may not realize the source of their symptoms. They experience gradual to sudden headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms get worse the longer or more concentrated the exposure. Ultimately, exposure will lead to loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death. While the importance of CO detectors cannot be overstated (and they are required in new construction, as per California law), we must go back to the source itself: the fireplace. CO poisoning is preventable. This is why it’s critical to work with fireplace and chimney specialists like we have at Boston Brick & Stone. We know the related rules, regulations, and proper installation techniques as defined by the fireplace manufacturer. The smallest mistake can result in deadly consequences. Don’t cut corners.
For many homeowners, the fireplace is the centerpiece of the home. It can provide warmth on a cold night, and it can serve as a showcase of the home’s masonry work. However, because the fireplace is one of the few places in the home where fuel combusts — wood, natural gas, propane, etc. — it can pose a hidden danger if not properly installed and maintained. What is this danger? Carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel. It’s a natural part of the combustion process. When a fireplace is improperly installed or poorly maintained,
MEME CORNER
DAD’S WHISKEY BURGER
Ingredients
• 4 (6–6 ½ ounce) hamburger patties • ¼ cup whiskey • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 4 strips bacon • 8 thick slices American cheese
• 2 large Vidalia onions,
peeled, cut in half, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat • 1 teaspoon salt • 4 hamburger buns
Directions
1. Cook bacon until crisp. Remove and cool. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat. 2. In a large skillet, combine olive oil and bacon fat, then add onions. Cook over low heat. Add salt and turn onions often for 30–40 minutes until caramelized. 3. Place whiskey and chopped garlic in a shallow dish and add hamburger patties. Marinate for 15 minutes, then flip and marinate another 15 minutes. 4. Grill burgers over medium-high heat until cooked to desired doneness. 5. Add two slices of cheese to each burger in the last minute of grilling. 6. Put hamburgers on buns, then top with a large spoonful of caramelized onions. Top with bacon.
Recipe inspired by Mantitlement.com
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SERVING THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
INSIDE
page 1
The Importance of the Fireplace Specialist
page 2
One Time-Management Mistake to Avoid
page 2
Testimonial
page 3
The Silent Killer
page 3
Dad’s Whiskey Burger
page 4
Where the Wild Things Are
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
This summer, skip the expensive hustle and bustle of an overcrowded theme park. After a vacation like that, you’ll feel like you need another.
geothermal geyser in the world, with eruptions averaging a whopping 130 vertical feet. Or if it’s majesty and exploration you’re itching for, hike one of the many trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The views, with clay cliff faces and tree-covered mountains in every direction, are unlike any other. Also, be sure to investigate the Grand Prismatic Spring, which, besides its otherworldly rainbow waters, is known for being the largest hot spring in the U.S. For many, though, the biggest draw of the park is the wildlife. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land. It houses more mammals than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, 150 species of birds, and huge populations of native fish, to name a few. Just driving around the park, you’re apt to see moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, and, if you’re lucky, grizzly bears, mountain lions, or wolves. Go boating, catch a fish, scale a mountain, ride a horse — the things to do vary as much as the breathtaking landscape. If you’re looking for an affordable, relaxed, and wide-open family vacation this summer, Yellowstone is a no-brainer.
As far as getaway destinations go, Yellowstone National Park, sprawling across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, is a little more expansive. More than 3 million visitors flock to its astonishing peaks, multicolored pools, and dramatic geothermal geysers each year, but as you travel across
Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, it’s unlikely you’ll see much of them. And the sheer variety of unparalleled activities to explore means fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, the most famous
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