I think I found my chimney problem! So....the thimble goes through the basement/foundation wall. When they built it, they just let the mortar drop inside. Filled to right below the pipe entrance. No drop/cleanout. I thought maybe if I chipped some of that out and made an area for water to collect it would just boil away when lit. I started that this morning. Not getting through the concrete blobs very much, mostly just loosening the soot build in nooks and crannies. What I found is a low spot right inside the thimble edge. After a bit of digging and vacuuming it turns out there is what I believe was an intentionally made drain hole! This would let any water in chimney drain outside the foundation wall. Apparently just got plugged solid at some point. Probably do a bit more cleanup in there and get it burning this weekend. Fingers crossed. :thumbsup: