It is great to have a fireplace which you can light up when it is cold outside. You can relax for hours enjoying the natural warmth and looking at the burning wood. This idyllic picture can be easily ruined, however. All sorts of issues can occur. These range from bad smell to the release of harmful gas and from cracking of the flue to the collapsing of the entire chimney. Given the great threat which chimney problems can pose to people and property, it is crucial to make the cleaning and maintenance of this structure top priority. These tasks have to be performed with the use of effective techniques and tools and under a strict schedule. When the chimney is clean and in good condition, life is good. For effective prevention, proper cleaning and maintenance are required. When the structure is properly cared for, the risk of damage and a serious accident is reduced to the very possible minimum. It is a fact that it is not easy to provide chimney cleaning and maintenance. This is because the structure is specific and the access to its components is difficult. Proper techniques and tools have to be used so that the job is done effectively.