I've had a fireplace insert in the garage since last December, and now that it's getting cold I really want to get it in this Saturday. I have all the tool and pieces, I just need to prep the fireplace. My question is how thorough do I have to be in cleaning the fireplace, repairing cracks, filling gaps, etc. Do I have to chip out and replace all loose mortar between the bricks? Do I have to scrub every surface free of creosote? The flue liner with insulation is zero clearance, so is a little bit of creosote really a problem? The flue itself has been swept, however there is some creosote in hard to reach places.
Here are some pictures of the current condition.
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185417-b136e86917e1cce954074334b8f9d712.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185418-ba33d1cf5f2c7b46aa64b6b6774ab339.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185419-613249d36b0bd1c11591848e43c1c00e.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185420-e1894dc48e8ef5703a6a8dcef96e8dee.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185421-f8280e87903b0dcae5f61c7cb97e3cc2.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185422-09be354efdd75fac58ec9efc3580dacd.jpg)
Here are some pictures of the current condition.
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185417-b136e86917e1cce954074334b8f9d712.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185418-ba33d1cf5f2c7b46aa64b6b6774ab339.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185419-613249d36b0bd1c11591848e43c1c00e.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185420-e1894dc48e8ef5703a6a8dcef96e8dee.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185421-f8280e87903b0dcae5f61c7cb97e3cc2.jpg)
![Preparation for fireplace insert installation Preparation for fireplace insert installation](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/185/185422-09be354efdd75fac58ec9efc3580dacd.jpg)