Renovators Place has some great tips about keeping your fireplace burning in top shape. First of all, when was the last time it was used?

If you used it last winter, you can probably skip a few of these steps. If it’s been a few years, follow the directions below.

1. Check for pests. If you have birds or squirrels that have decided to take up residence in your fireplace, odds are that they did a little construction while they were there. This isn’t the kind of construction you want. Their construction involves removing mortar from between the bricks and possibly leaving your wood frame in the path of the flames of your fireplace.

2. Check for structural damage. Over time the interior liner of your fireplace and deteriorate and expose the brick. Depending on your local, rain, ice, or snow can damage the flue and/or exterior of the chimney.

3. Check for Carbon Monoxide leaks. Many older fireplaces were built without liners, or may have obstructions that stop the normal flow of carbon monoxide up and out of the fireplace. If you’re fireplace is one of these, you could be at risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your living area.

4. Check moving parts. As you know, fireplaces don’t have many moving parts, but they do have one, the damper. In time, the damper can rust and get stuck shut (or open). If the damper is stuck shut, you’ll create a fire and by the time your fire is burning hot, you’ll realize that smoke isn’t exiting through the top of the chimney, it is coming back out in your face.

You can find chimney cleaners in the yellow pages, or online. Most charge between $50 and $250 depending on the work they need to do.

If you don’t want to get your fireplace maintained, you can just have a new chimney installed for roughly $2000-$3500. Your choice.