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All fireplaces start with a good operating and well maintained chimney. Using your fireplace when there is a build-up of creosote is very dangerous and can lead to a chimney fire also resulting in a full blown house fire. How do you know if you have a creosote build-up? Well, the easiest way is to call your local chimney sweep. If you are handy and physically able to climb on your roof, you can co the inspection and possible cleaning yourself.

Most hardware stores and fireplace shops have square and round brushed along with flexible rods to make the chimney cleaning job as easy as possible. Of course you will want to protect the area around the fireplace with a plastic drop cloth or something similar. The black soot that comes from your fireplace and chimney is very hard to remove from carpet and other areas around your fireplace.. Always be on the lookout for any type of rodent nest in your chimney. Some may require professional removal. 

While you're on the roof, carefully examine the chimney structure to assure there are not mortar cracks or bricks displaced. If there are cracks in the motor, you can easily fix with new mortar. Also inspect for any water damage inside the attic indicating you have a flashing leak around the chimney. 

Once you have cleaned the chimney from the top down, its time to go inside. A good heavy duty shop vacuum will greatly assist with the inside cleaning. Clean all areas in and around the firebox, including shoving the vacuum hose up the chimney to the area around the damper, with the damper fully open. A flash light and a mirror will be helpful in determining if you have the system clean. Once all that is done, carefully remove the tarp that you previously placed on the hearth so as to contain any soot or materials dropped from the chimney. 

Does your chimney have a cap? If not, you should get one placed on he chimney as soon as possible. The cap covers the chimney keeping out bird and other animals as well as rain, snow while keeping any sparks in. 

Finally, if your inspection shows that your chimney is not tile lined or the liner has many cracks and chips, you should consider a liner. A stainless steel chimney liner will make your chimney system much safer and also makes cleaning much easier. You can install chimney liners yourself, the materials can be purchased here.