If noises from your chimney have you wondering what's going on in there, you could have unwelcome animals that need to be evicted.

After a chimney sweep or home inspector deems your fireplace safe, ask to be shown how to open the flue. If it’s closed, it will be blocked by a little door called the damper, which is hidden ...

Start at the bottom, by cleaning all the ash out of the fireplace and removing any andirons or grates. You’ll need to look up the flue, so put on goggles and a dust mask. Flip your damper open ...