“The Name You Can Trust”
From the very beginning in 1977 Jack Pixley set down these fundamental guidelines for his company. We will treat each employee, customer and all those we meet in the way we would want our family to be treated. Our company will provide its staff with the best education and training possible regarding the construction, safe use, and maintenance of chimneys and venting systems. For only then will we be able to meet our customers’ needs and exceed their expectations. And lastly, to be a company of integrity, remaining honest in every aspect of business, for only then will people be confident that we are indeed “The Company You Can Trust.”
Currently, Jack Pixley Chimney – Sweeps & Masonry has 5 trained and CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) Certified Technicians, more than any other chimney contractor in Minnesota. Our company is employee owned and operated.
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Products & Services Offered:
Our company offers a full line of chimney and fireplace services including: Chimney/Fireplace Inspections, Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Fire Repair, Chimney Relining, Masonry Repair, Brick Matching, Cap and Screen Installation, Gas Fireplace Inspection, Gas Fireplace and Wood Burning Insert Sales and Installation.
As a result of our commitment to education and providing the most complete services available, we can truly handle the smallest to sometimes technically challenging projects.
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“Customer Education Important”
To assist customers, this website features over 50 pages of detailed fireplace/chimney information and direct links to other helpful organizations for the homeowner. We want you to know about our company and the services we provide. But more importantly, we hope you find this website to be an educational tool, helping you to become more knowledgeable regarding the construction, safe use, and maintenance of your chimney and venting system.
Jack Pixley Sweeps, Inc. History:
Our founder, Jack Pixley, formed our chimney inspection, sweeping and masonry repair company in March of 1977. He started this company with one goal in mind: to have the most knowledgeable chimney sweeps in the country, and to treat every home owner as he would want to be treated, with honesty, respect, and integrity. Then and only then can we truly be the company with “The Name You Can Trust.”
License and performance bond:
Building Permits:
Where relining flues, re-bricking, remodeling chimneys, or inserting a new gas or wood insert we always obtain building permits and have the city building inspector check our work. This is required by cities to make certain contractors are doing their work in accordance with building codes and UL-Listings. Since chimneys are a leading source of fire loss, proper inspection is important. (Note: In some cities permits are not required for cosmetic chimney repair.)
Certification:
Our founder, Jack Pixley, believed our company should provide its staff with the best education and training possible regarding the construction, safe, use, and maintenance of chimneys and venting systems. Therefore, we require our technicians to become certified through The Chimney Safety Institute of America.
- (In order to remain certified one must retest or obtain 40 continuing education credits every 3 years.)
- All five of our service technicians are currently certified by the CSIA. (You can check this out on www.csia.org)
- Our operations manager, Joe C. Spoden Sr., is also certified and is the Qualifying Licensed Contractor for our company.
Chimney sweeping and inspection:
- We are a full service company that bases their service and inspections on the I.R.C. (international Residence Code) and the NFPA211 standards for chimney inspections.
- We use the latest chimney sweeping techniques, and most flues are swept using the latest chimney power rotary sweeping techniques.
- We schedule only four (4) homes per day per certified technician. We do not use scare tactics, but we do try to explain the facts. We charge fair prices for our work and do not use chimney sweeping as a loss leader to get our foot in the door so as to up-sell or get more work.
(This is common practice for some chimney sweeps/duct cleaners who often go to more than eight (8) homes per day. Work is often poorly done or not done at all… by people who are not certified. In my experience, it is not possible to properly sweep and inspect the average fireplace in less than an hour. Duct cleaning cannot be completed in less than two and one-half (2 ½) hours, so in order to do both will take close to four (4) hours at least.)
Members/Organizations:
- National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) since 1978
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Better Business Bureau of Minnesota (Accredited Business)– 651-699-1111
- Angie’s List – 612-339-6600 – (Superior Service Award winner 2003, 2005-2010)
Policies:
- We are a company with integrity and always tell the truth being forthright and candid. We treat every homeowner the way we would want our family to be treated. Our motto: “The Name you can Trust”
- We do not hire subcontractors to do our work and give the illusion that they are our employees. All of our employees are paid hourly rather than on straight commission.
- We have biannual safety training meetings conducted by our insurance company.
- We carefully test and screen employees for trustworthiness, freedom from substance use, courtesy, emotional maturity, conscientiousness, job commitment, and safe job performance.
- We have never tried to be the biggest. We have always tried to be the best.
Insurance:
- We carry full liability and property damage insurance.
- We have workers compensation insurance on all employees.
Attendance/Training:
Our company sends employees for training to the annual convention and to the CSIA National Training School outside Indianapolis, Indiana. Although this is costly, we consider it an investment in our staff, which enables them to provide our customers with the best professional service available. Our founder Jack Pixley had only missed one National Convention, until his passing this year.
Publicity:
- Minneapolis Star and Tribune articles:
October 23, 1977 (five page article in Picture Magazine – Sunday paper)
October 31, 1992 (Shelter section – Saturday paper) - Anoka News Herald – 1977
- Family Handyman Magazine
- World Magazine and Ranger Rick (National Geographic) and Smithsonian Magazine
- KSTP 1500 AM – featured guest numerous times on Saturday morning Home and Garden Show with Loren Kohnen (building inspector)
- WCCO 830 AM – numerous times
- Featured on PM Magazine
- Evening television news: WCCO with Bill Carlson, KSTP with Cyndy Brucato Channel 9 and 11 with Nancy Nelson and Chick McCuan
- Featured on FOX 9 morning news with M. A . Rosko (January 2011)
- National Chimney Sweep Guild Awards Given To Jack Pixley:
- President’s Award – 1996 Atlanta, Georgia (given to one individual each year at annual convention “For exemplary personal service and commitment to the United States chimney service industry”)
- Lifetime Achievement Award – 2003 Hershey, Pennsylvania (“In recognition of immeasurable contributions and endless efforts to advance the United States chimney service industry” – Jack Pixley is currently the only individual to ever receive this award given at the annual convention)
- The Don Leavitt CSIA Education Award- 2010 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Jack is the only member of the CSIA to receive every award offered to it’s members.
Ahren’s Chimney Relining:
Dealer of the Year Award
Ventinox Chimney Lining System (ProTech Systems, Inc.):
Superior Dealer “Award of Excellence”