There's more to sweeping some chimneys than a top hat and a song

Remember the chimney sweeps singing in their top hats in the movie "Mary Poppins?"

So does John Irwin, owner of Carlisle-based Chimney Sweep Systems. That's why Irwin or one of his eight full-time employees wear their top hats when they know they are going to clean a chimney in a household with children.

"They (hats) add a bit of flair to the job. The kids are into it. It's something people get a kick out of," Irwin said.

But Irwin does more than amuse children. He's been cleaning, rebuilding and lining chimneys for a decade.

In 1990, he also opened Artisan Decks, a deck building and remodeling business, to offset chimney-sweeping's slow season from January to …