Gas Fireplace
A gas fireplace needs regular maintenance and cleaning, even if it burns cleanly. Find out when a gas fireplace should be serviced and what it involves. According to the industry magazine Hearth & Home, gas fireplace sales outpace wood-burning fireplaces. Natural gas fireplaces seem to be a favorite among U.S. homeowners as they are a cleaner alternative and healthier for the environment. A gas fireplace can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,500, including materials and installation. Hence, make sure you get your gas fireplace regularly serviced to protect your investment.
Why do you need a gas fireplace serviced?
Even though gas fireplaces burn cleanly with no wood ash or smoke left behind and no sooty chimney to clean, they still require regular fireplace maintenance and service to operate safely and extend their lifespan. Gas fireplaces can be cleaned by DIY, but only if they are accustomed to working with natural gas. Hiring a fireplace service if you don’t want to handle the natural gas line.
Does a gas fireplace require any maintenance?
You should at least once a year does upkeep on your fireplace by contacting a professional gas phone company. The homeowner shouldn’t primarily focus on gas components because any disruption to the gas components might be hazardous.
Gas fireplace repair services
Maintaining a gas fireplace is more straightforward than keeping a wood-burning one. To maintain a gas fireplace, follow the steps below. If you are doing it yourself, set aside about one hour for the project.
- Check the exterior of the house. Ensure that the fireplace is installed correctly and there are no gaps or cracks in the frame.
- Inspect the glass for cracks. Vinegar is a good non-ammonia cleaning product to use on glass. Use a spray bottle or fireplace glass cleaner to clean the glass. If you have loose or cracked glass panes, wipe them down and inspect them to see if they can let air into your home. Ensure that your glass doors’ gasket seals are airtight by checking them periodically. In that case, try resetting them with silicone caulk or gasket cement. They will have to be replaced if they cannot be repaired.
- Inspect logs for mistakes. Ceramic or cement logs may not be accurate, but they can deteriorate over time in a gas fireplace. They will most likely start to fade over time. You don’t have to replace the whole fireplace if you want to replace the vents.
- Look for a gas ignition problem. Ensure the gas ignition works properly by lighting it under the logs. By gently rubbing them with steel wool or a piece of fine-grit sandpaper, clean all the valves and ports under and amid the records once the gas has been turned off. Make sure there are no leaks. You can also check for bubbles by brushing some water mixed with dish soap over the lines, valves, and ports. Leaks are evident by smell, but you can also look for bubbles by brushing some water mixed with dish soap over them.
- Vacuum the interior thoroughly. This is the time to vacuum out dust bunnies, dead bugs, and pet hair from your gas fireplace.
- Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is in good working order. Carbon monoxide monitors should also be tested as a routine fireplace service. Carbon monoxide monitors should be placed near your fireplace if you do not already have one.
- Look at the chimney. A gas fireplace doesn’t require a chimney sweep like Mary Poppins, but you should inspect the external structure of the duct and the walls around the chimney. Consistency is the biggest threat to a gas fireplace chimney. In a compromised chimney, you may notice damp patches on the walls, ceiling stains, and white blotches on the exterior masonry (called efflorescence). If you have not yet hired a pro, it’s time to do so now.
Get a fireplace service when you need one
Your gas fireplace service check frequency is determined by how often you use it. Ideally, you should schedule or conduct service once a year, preferably early in the summer, if you enjoy the sound of a roaring fire from autumn until spring. You can probably get away with a gas fireplace service check every two years if you only use your gas fireplace occasionally. The carbon monoxide detector should be replaced every five years or so. You will be notified if the gas fireplace venting is not working correctly.
What is the cost of gas fireplace maintenance?
The cost of servicing a gas fireplace will depend on a few factors, including where you live, how large and how damaged your fireplace is, and how urgent the call is. You may need to spend between $100 and $200 in most areas, though it may be much higher in some. A DIY fireplace service is very inexpensive, especially if no parts need to be replaced.
What causes a gas fireplace to stop working?
Despite being known for their reliability, gas fireplaces sometimes encounter problems. A quick and efficient gas fireplace repair can be achieved by learning how to troubleshoot. Check out the tips below for some of the most common reasons gas fireplaces stop working, when you can try a DIY fix, and when you should seek professional assistance.
Old batteries
Need to be replaced because some gas fireplaces use batteries to light the pilot. You can test the batteries in the remote or receiver of your fireplace to determine if a battery issue is causing it to fail to ignite. The only way to get your fireplace working again maybe to replace the dampers.
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Gas Valve Closed
Check the gas valve inside your firebox to see if it is set to the “on” position. When you use your fireplace, this valve allows gas to fill it and keeps it out of the house when you are not using it. If you close this valve, your fireplace will produce no heat.
Pilot Light Blown Out
If the gas supply to your fireplace is interrupted, the pilot light will go out, and your fireplace will not heat your home. If you’re doing a DIY fix, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and home manual before you start relighting the pilot. You should also check the orifices to ensure clean and debris-free; this could affect your pilot light.
Problems with thermocouples and thermopiles
It might seem complicated to know what thermocouples and thermopiles are, but don’t worry. Neither of them is as complex as they sound. Thermocouples are small metal probes used to control the gas valve to your fireplace. They measure the temperature outside and strike the gas if it’s too cold. Look for tight threads and correct positioning on your thermocouple to ensure proper working.
Thermopiles are similar to thermocouples, as they are also temperature sensors. However, they are electrically connected instead of being gas-powered. If you suspect your thermopile or thermocouple is broken, call a professional to come and fix it.
Problems with the thermostat
You won’t be able to turn on your gas fireplace if your thermostat is set lower than the actual room temperature. You should check your gas fireplace’s thermostat settings and adjust it to a higher temperature to see if it will start roaring. If none of these DIY fixes fix your fireplace problem, you should contact a professional. For gas fireplace installation in the Puget Sound region, contact Four Day Fireplace.
FAQs
- How can I get my gas fire to light?
The spark igniter may be malfunctioning if gas is flowing from the pilot, but it doesn’t ignite. The best fix is to remove debris from the ignition source and thermocouple.
- How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace?
The average cost of a gas fireplace installation in the U.S. for 2020 is around $4,500, with prices ranging between $2,500 and $10,000
- What is the average lifespan of a gas fireplace?
For how long can a gas fireplace last? Gas fireplaces usually last between ten and fifteen years before they need to be replaced.