"Frank" wrote

You would do well to sweep chimney yourself or have
it done, just to check out your system and make sure there is no
creosote build up.

Definately, but I advise having it done professionally, at least this time.
There may be damage and it can be assessed at the same time.

Generally I tend to not adviase folks to do this themselves as they ofen
don't really know what to do and end up leaving big areas uncleaned (unaware
they are missing a center section with a too short cleaning wand etc).