We do not have soot on the ground from our woodstove. What are you burning? How long was it split and stacked before you burned it?

Another place to ask about this would be the Heath.com forums, but my guess is that your wood is not dry enough. Wood should dry at least a year, preferably 3 before burning.

Our wood is not yet a year old, but, recently we have been burning seasoned wood we bought locally. Chimney sweep is coming in a week and a half to clean the chimney. In the meantime I wonder what on earth to do about the unsightly ashes in our yard, patio, windowsills, and water table brick. I've not seen this kind of thing in other people's yards before.

If it were me, I'd stop using the fireplace until the chimney sweep has checked it out.

good advice from zone as recently you were having issues at he top of the chimney as well if I am not mistaken.