Fires That Don't Burn Properly 
If your fireplace is not burning smoothly as it should, that is a first sign that your chimney needs a fresh chimney sweep. It may be caused by a blocked chimney flue causing less oxygen to flow and keep the fire burning smoothly.

Bad Smells Coming From The Fireplace
The buildup of soot and creosote can cause a bad odor to be emitted from the fireplace. A fireplace is supposed to evoke a certain level of comfort and coziness and when there is a negative odor coming from the fireplace it turns people away from the fireplace.

No Smoke Comes Out Of The Chimney

If you are using your fireplace but there is little to no smoke billowing from the chimney, then there may be a problem within the chimney. A chimney repair or a chimney sweep may be in order.

The Chimney Damper has black spots or oily spots
A chimney damper is a crucial part of a chimney. It is the door to allow the smoke out of the fireplace and no outside animals, soot, or other elements into the home via the fireplace.