Thanks for the advice. As it turns out, I'm getting my gutters replaced
next week so I'll ask them to let me know if I have an ash issue just as
you did.

I keep hearing mixed things about liners. The chimney repairman that I
spoke with yesterday told me he doesn't think they're necessary and that
they'll cut down on the air flow up and out of the chimney. I hate to
spend more than $2,500 on something that may not be necessary and, in the
end, makes matters worse. Then again, you're happy with your liner.

I'm not against the idea of the liner--it's the cost that's killing me
(after just getting a new roof two weeks ago).

Thanks again!

David
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My house, just a little older than yours, has an unlined brick
chimney. When I replaced the gutters, I discovered piles of ash around
the chimney in the soffet that wraps around it halfway to the top.
That convinced me that I needed a liner. I installed a used
"certified" firplace insert woodstove which couples to a stainless
liner going up the old chimney. The glass door of the stove gives a
good fire view. No longer am I sucking all the heat out of the house
when having a fire. Instead, it puts lots of heat into the house, with
the aid of its noisy fan. Cleaning the chimney is easier, as a chimney
brush runs straight down from the top, and all the ash ends up in the
stove when cleaning. For the money you're talking, this could work for
you also.