With them, have your fireplace chimney cleaned or inspected every 70 ... If the soot has a matte black finish and the scratch is 1/8 in. deep or less, its a DIY job. But if the buildup is deeper ...

Experts said one of the most important things to do before lighting your fireplace is to make sure your damper or flue is open and cleared. Here are some more tips for chimney safety: Get a yearly ...