Boston Birck & Stone's online newsletter for January 2018
THE MASONRY MONTHLY
JANUARY 2018
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
The Safest Ways to Ignite a Fire
Keep Your Home and Family Safe With These Important Tips
Fireplace safety is paramount. Whether you use your home’s fireplace for warmth or for the timeless aesthetic, it’s critical to keep several things in mind before you light that fire. There are two basic types of fireplaces: wood and gas. Wood-burning fireplaces often come paired with a gas lighter attachment called a log-lighter bar. This simple device makes lighting a wood fire relatively simple. But if your wood-burning fireplace doesn’t have a log-lighter bar, you may have to play Boy Scout for a moment. Ignite a small base fire with tinder or newspaper and get it going before adding the wood. When it comes to igniting the log-lighter bar, many people want to turn on the gas first and then strike a match or ignite a lighter. Take it from someone who’s lost his eyebrows a time or two: This is not the safest method of lighting a lighter bar. Instead, ignite a crumpled piece of newspaper and place it under the lighter bar. Then proceed to turn on the gas. This allows the gas to ignite instantly without the danger of it building up in the fireplace. Gas fireplaces are another beast entirely. They can be a little more complicated, depending on the mechanism. You often have to be more cautious and diligent. It’s very important to have the lighter lit before you turn on the gas. If you can’t turn on the gas and light the fire simultaneously, it’s best to have assistance in the form of a family member or friend. Another element to be aware of is the damper. This is a plate inside the fireplace that prevents cold outside air from coming into the home. It should only be in the closed position when the fireplace is not in use. However, with wood-burning fireplaces, there are laws that state the damper must be in the fully-open position at all times. Of course, if the damper is closed and you try to start a fire in a wood- burning fireplace, you’re going to know it. It will only take a moment for the room to fill with smoke. Conversely, if you accidentally leave the damper closed with a gas fireplace, the danger is magnified. You may not notice a buildup of gas within the home until you fall ill — or worse.
This generally isn’t an issue in newer homes with gas fireplaces. Under California law, the damper in gas fireplaces must either be locked in the open position or completely dismantled. While the idea behind dampers (keeping cold air out and warm air in) is a good idea, the dangers are too great to ignore. Smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning are serious concerns that come with equally serious consequences. Before you light a fire, something else to keep in mind is the draft. With a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll be quickly alerted if your fireplace system is having drafting issues. It’s not uncommon that you’ll need to get things warmed up before a fire will take. It’s a lot like choking an old automobile. You have to get the system warm before it will start. In the case of the fire, you need to get things warmed up so it will draft properly. If you have a gas log-lighter bar, ignite it along with tinder or kindling. Let it warm up for about 10–15 minutes, then add your wood. If you don’t have a log-lighter bar, make a small fire with tinder or newspaper. Add a little kindling to get things moving. The way you set up your fire can make a difference, as well. That is, set it up toward the back of the fireplace — as close to the back wall as possible. Not only will this help warm up the flue system more effectively, it’s also safer. And don’t forget to have a screen in front of your fireplace. Sparks and embers have a tendency to pop out. On top of that, the fireplace can draw air from inside the room, creating a subtle draft. Dresses and other loose clothing can be pulled in with the draft, bringing them dangerously close to the flames. The screen also keeps curious children — and adults — from getting too close to the mesmerizing, flickering light. Finally, the No.1 best way to stay safe when lighting a fire is to make sure your fireplace and chimney have been inspected and cleaned. Chimney fires are notoriously dangerous and can be caused by creosote buildup in the flue system. People have lost their homes because of this. You want to have peace of mind that all of the fireplace components are in good shape, keeping your home warm and looking sharp.
-Dave Laverdiere
www.bostonbrick.com |
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HELPING PEOPLE ISN’T JUST FOR NONPROFITS
Sharen Murnaghan’s LinkedIn page features the line, “Always be helping.” When you look at Hubspot’s “About Us” page, you’ll notice their vision is to build a company where business is “empathetic, human, and personable.” Do these philosophies sound like they’re in alignment? She and Hubspot both believe that helping others is essential to business success, so it should come as no surprise that Murnaghan is Hubspot’s No. 1 salesperson. When two MIT graduates, Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, realized that customers weren’t responding to tried-and-true marketing tactics — and that Shah’s unassuming blog was driving way more web traffic than sites with huge marketing budgets — they created Hubspot, a marketing and sales software company. Most companies were forgetting about the human element of sales. Instead of helping people, these businesses treated customers like numbers, all in the pursuit of their bottom line. So, Shah and Halligan started a company that would do the opposite. They decided to help other businesses forge human relationships with their customers and create an “inbound world.” Before joining their company, Murnaghan had a successful sales career in the publishing world, but she was ready for something new. She had an impressive amount of sales experience but almost no knowledge of digital
marketing, an industry she knew was clearly on the rise. So, “armed with nothing but a desire to learn and a willingness to work hard,” she enrolled in a digital marketing course, got a certification, and eventually found her way to Hubspot. She started in an entry-level sales position, and, after putting in 12-hour days and many more hours on continued education, she became their No. 1 salesperson. She’s held the spot ever since. But what got her there? She found success by using the same philosophy that Hubspot was built on. “People don’t want to be interrupted by marketers or harassed by salespeople,” Shah and Halligan say of their empathetic approach. “They want to be helped.” Murnaghan’s interactions with customers hinged on her desire to help others, and she was determined to carry out that mission. Once, she connected a client’s daughter with friends in Canada after learning the girl was starting university there. What lessons can we glean from Murnaghan’s and Hubspot’s success? Perhaps it’s this: Don’t forget about the simple act of helping people. Make this a priority above selling a good or service. As you shape and define your company’s values, hire people who exemplify them. Like Murnaghan, if they live your values, they’ll wow your clients, help grow your brand, and bring you both to the top. “We were working on buying our first house and Boston Brick & Stone was recommended for doing the chimney inspection and any work if needed. They were very professional, answered all my questions, and made sure I understood everything they were telling me. It was fast and easy, and I am very happy with their work.” -Customer “Boston Brick & Stone redid my fireplace and chimney about a year ago. They are very professional and did a fabulous job. This year I was shopping around for solar and found they also do solar. Not only did they come in with the BEST bid, but they did an amazing job. Excellent team of workers. I highly recommend them and would hire them again if the need should arise.” -Lisa Benest TESTIMONIALS
CHIMNEY
•Inspection •Restoration and repair •Construction •Sweeping
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 previous restoration work includes:
•Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. •Repair and restoration of chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. •Historical chimney restoration for 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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Fireplace Maintenance QUESTIONS ANSWERED
With more people lighting their fireplaces in the winter, we often hear questions about fireplace safety and fireplace maintenance. You may even have a few questions of your own. This month, let’s look at three of those questions.
• If you use your fireplace frequently during the chilly season • When you use a cord of wood (4’ x 4’ x 8’) • After 100 uses
This is the first year I have smoke coming into my home when I light a fire. What happened?
How are chimneys and fireplaces cleaned?
When was the last time you had your chimney cleaned? Creosote, a tar-like substance, builds up in the flue and may suppress the proper upward flow of the smoke. Whenever our skilled fireplace and chimney technicians clean a chimney, we also have a certified chimney inspector do a complete inspection of the fireplace and chimney. This way, you know exactly what the problem is and we can recommend a solution.
Our technicians start in the house, covering up the opening of the
fireplace with heavy plastic. They also cover any furniture situated near the fireplace. Then, they go up to the roof and sweep the inside of the chimney twice from the top down. After that, the technicians come back into the house, carefully open the plastic, and vacuum out the fireplace. They sweep the inside of the fireplace and vacuum the remaining debris. Finally, they carefully remove the plastic and work hard to avoid letting any of the chimney dust into the home.
How often should I clean my fireplace?
It comes down to how often you use your fireplace. Here are a few good rules of thumb to use to determine when you get your fireplace and chimney cleaned:
MEME CORNER
Slow Cooker Raspberry White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
• 1 cup white chocolate chips • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk • 2 cups heavy cream, divided • 3 cups milk (any variety will do)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 4 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or syrup
Directions
1. In a slow cooker, combine white chocolate chips, condensed milk, 1 cup cream, and milk. Cover and heat on low about 2 hours. 2. In a large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. 3. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until stiff peaks form. 4. Serve mugs of hot chocolate with about 1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur or syrup to taste and a dollop of whipped cream.
(Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.)
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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
Keep Your Family Safe With Important Fireplace Tips
page 2
The Secret Behind Hubspot’s No. 1 Salesperson
page 2
Testimonials
page 3
3 Fireplace Questions Answered
page 3
Warm Up With Some Hot Cocoa
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The Time Is Right for Nicaragua
After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush. If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland. One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt. Escape to Nicaragua The Country That Has Something for Everyone
towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid- back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small
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