Gas Fireplace Maintenance Tasks & Servicing Guidelines

Our concern and focus are on gas fireplace maintenance.

Gas fireplaces have proven to be highly effective when heating homes. With more excellent combustion and heating efficiencies, gas fireplaces have understandably become popular with homeowners.

Do gas fireplaces need maintenance? Yes.

Sustained efficiencies are only possible when gas fireplaces are appropriately maintained.

Gas Fireplace Tune-Up

Gas fireplaces are among the most efficient when it comes to combustion. These are either wholly installed, or an existing wood fireplace is converted to a gas fireplace.

One of the perks associated with gas fireplace use is its ease of usage and being environmentally friendly. These, among several other benefits, are why gas fireplaces are preferred among several homeowners.

For a gas fireplace to remain functional, you must maintain it. This is why we’re looking at gas fireplace maintenance.

You’re likely reading this article because you have a gas fireplace or want to install one. It’s essential to know or understand the working, especially how best to maintain it.

Luckily, you’re at the right place as you’ll learn all you need to know about maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, servicing is one word that readily comes to mind. You can use servicing and maintenance interchangeably as they represent the same action.

Here, routine maintenance and repairs of a gas fireplace are performed. So, how do you go about this task?

Should I Call a Pro for Gas Fireplace Maintenance?

There’s so much you can do as an unskilled person when it comes to gas fireplace maintenance.

There may be underlying issues you may not be able to notice during your scheduled maintenance rounds. This significantly limits the possible outcomes or results obtained.

It’s best to go for a more professional approach due to the many downsides of DIY gas fireplace maintenance. Here, more comprehensive inspection and maintenance are performed by licensed technicians.

Technicians check for possible carbon monoxide and gas leaks and carry out basic fixes.

Who Performs Gas Fireplace Maintenance

Fireplace maintenance is essential to ensure the system remains functional and won’t break down.

While maintenance is a primary requirement, who performs the procedure becomes equally important. Gas fireplace maintenance isn’t a complicated process.

In other words, pretty much anyone can perform a maintenance procedure on a gas fireplace. Note that we aren’t talking about the repair. Maintenance is an ongoing procedure that needs to be performed periodically to keep the system functional. If you’re a handy person, you should find this enjoyable.

However, more complex (relatively) maintenance tasks like cleaning oxygen depletion sensors may require the help of a trained professional. You’ll need to know what you’re capable of or not to ensure that your gas fireplace is maintained correctly.

Why Your Gas Fireplace Should Be Serviced

Most times, many homeowners assume that because their gas fireplaces burn cleanly without smoke and chimneys covered in soot, it’s all fine. However, the truth is, your fireplace may look all fine, but there may be developing problems related to dirt buildup.

Having your gas fireplace regularly maintained prevents future malfunction in any form. This is a much better way of keeping it functional.

Maintenance Depends on Type of Gas System

Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be!

There are several models of gas fireplaces that are pretty different in terms of design. For instance, some models have a standing pilot-this is one in which the pilot light remains on all through.

Other models have pilot lights that only come on when needed or when the fireplace is used.

Still, others, such as vent-free gas fireplaces with an oxygen depletion sensor, are crucial to their safe usage.

Your gas fireplace may have an electronic ignition system in place. These are less demanding in terms of service needs. In other words, you’ll need to service much less often. Nevertheless, some form of servicing will still be necessary.

Whatever gas fireplace type you have, a unique maintenance strategy needs to be adopted. For standing pilot models, the maintenance target would be the pilot assembly.

The servicing requirements for gas fireplaces having pilot systems that only light when in use are much less.

Keeping an Annual Maintenance Schedule

One of the first things you’ll need to clarify is the maintenance frequency necessary to keep a gas fireplace functional. Ideally, a gas fireplace service will depend on its use.

Yearly gas fireplace servicing will suffice for a frequently used fireplace. You can call for servicing every two years if you use your gas fireplace less regularly.

What’s included in Gas Fireplace Maintenance?

When it comes to gas fireplace maintenance, there are many things to check.

A thorough maintenance process will focus on several areas, including venting, to ensure a proper draft. To help promote safety, technicians also check for the presence of carbon monoxide.

When unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are identified, urgent fixes will have to be administered.

Gas burners are also targeted for cleaning. Check components such as the thermocouple or power pile and the thermostat and remote to ensure they’re in good working condition.

To ensure they’re working fine, you should check pilots, ignition, and main burner combustion. System wiring is also among the components you should be looking out for.

Check for signs of deterioration as they may have to be replaced when found to be in bad condition.

You should clean the glass with appropriate cleaners. Cleaning should include the combustion chamber as well. Is the gas valve functional? You may need a replacement if it’s found to be faulty.

It becomes much easier when a licensed technician is involved in the maintenance process.

You wouldn’t have to figure out the entire procedure yourself as these technicians fully understand what maintenance actions to take. Overall, you get the results you seek.

Preparation For Gas Fireplace Servicing

Preparations need to be made before servicing a gas fireplace. These mainly involve adopting safety measures such as allowing the fireplace and glass to cool off totally.

Next, switch off the gas valve and take out the decorative front.

The decorative front is mainly in the form of a safety barrier. As the name implies, this safety barrier protects you from contact with the hot glass.

Having taken off the decorative front, the glass assembly should follow. You may want to refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on how to go about this.

Gas Fireplace Maintenance Begins with Inspection

For successful and comprehensive maintenance of your gas fireplace, you’ll need to begin with an inspection.

This action is key as it helps identify common issues. More importantly, you can decide what type of maintenance to perform or carry out.

Speaking of gas fireplace inspection, there are basically three inspection schedules to adopt. They include inspection before startup, before the burn season, and yearly inspection.

So, what are these inspection schedules about? Let’s briefly discuss each to give you an idea.

• Inspection Before Startup

One of the primary ways to keep your gas fireplace in the top functioning condition is to ensure everything is in order before starting the fire.

In other words, a visual check needs to be performed each time before lighting the fire. So what exactly needs to be checked here?

First off, you’ll need to check that all gas logs are in place. Another component you need to inspect is the glass front. If you own a direct vent gas fireplace, check to ensure there are no loose glass fronts.

With no issues found, you’re ready to start your gas fireplace.

• Inspection Before the Burn Season

Another type of gas fireplace inspection you should perform is the one before the burn season.

As the weather gets colder and winter sets in, it signals the need to resume usage of your gas fireplace. It’s never advisable to proceed with its usage without some basic inspection.

Proper inspection before the burn season includes visually inspecting the chimney termination. Also, you’ll need to have the logs removed and inspected for cracks before cleaning. The combustion area also needs some cleaning as well.

Ensure the gas fireplace is igniting properly and the flame pattern is typical. If this sounds like too much work for you, you may want to call a fireplace technician or chimney sweep for more professional maintenance.

• Yearly Inspection

As the name suggests, this type of inspection is performed each year and requires looking at the outer condition of your chimney vent enclosures. This includes flashings.

Also, you’ll need to take off the vent cap to ensure there are no blockages within the vent.

Again, there are times when you need a more comprehensive inspection of your gas fireplace. Under such situations, you’ll need the help of a professional to perform a thorough job.

How To Maintain A Gas Fireplace

Several actions need to be performed to keep a gas fireplace functional.

These include inspecting the exterior, checking for cracks, and inspecting the logs. Others include checking the gas ignition, cleaning the interior, and inspecting carbon monoxide detectors.

Lastly, have your chimney inspected for any signs of trouble.

This section will show you the different maintenance strategies you can implement to keep your gas fireplace in top shape.

• A Clean Energy Alternative

Gas fireplaces have come to be known for their clean combustion. In other words, the fuel (gas) used burns without creating soot or creosotes like wood fuels.

Such an energy-efficient and clean way of heating homes make them all the more popular.

A clean and reliable alternative for heating and gas fireplaces won’t require cleaning, right? Not at all! Every time dust particles and pet hair fly around your home. These may settle in your gas fireplace.

Also, running fans may blow certain combustible items into the fireplace.

When the winter season is over, gas fireplace use drops significantly. As such fireplaces get less use, there’s a steady accumulation of dirt. Using these fireplaces again will require a thorough cleanup.

• Cleaning

One of the primary maintenance procedures performed on gas fireplaces is cleaning. Scheduled cleaning is necessary for getting the dust and hair particles out of the fireplace.

The cleaning process isn’t complicated at all.

To clean a gas fireplace, you’ll need first to turn off the fireplace and allow cooling to happen before proceeding. This won’t be necessary if it isn’t already being used. The following cleaning action involves getting the right tools for the job.

Here, we’re talking about cleaning tools, fireplace cleaners, and handheld sweep vacuums.

Other tools include a bristle brush. If you don’t have one, you might want to use a toothbrush, as it will serve just fine. The gas fireplace cleaner you use must be alcohol-based.

Here is a homemade cleaner recipe.

Having obtained the needed tools, you’ll need to target the fireplace cover. You should open those with a glass cover. Some fireplace designs allow for the complete removal of the cover.

For hinged covers, you only need to have them opened to begin your cleaning.

A foaming fireplace cleanser will serve just fine for cleaning the fireplace cover. Both sides of it should be cleaned using this. The cleanser foam needs to be spread to all sides of the cover.

This is best done using a soft, absorbent cloth. After allowing it to sit for about a quarter of an hour, clean off the area using a different foam.

Remember we mentioned the likelihood of debris accumulating in and around your burners.

Gas fireplace burners will need to be cleaned using an appropriate tool. The handheld vacuum cleaner comes in handy for such a task.

You have to run the vacuum cleaner over such areas to pick up dirt.

Now it’s possible that it won’t pick up all debris on your gas burner. For such, your bristle brush will help clear them out.

• Cleaning the Glass

You should wipe down both sides of the fireplace glass thoroughly. You’ll need to perform such action using a soft cloth and an appropriate fireplace glass cleaner. There are several such cleaners in the market.

To clean your gas fireplace glass, avoid using cleaning products containing ammonia. Asides from fireplace glass cleaners, vinegar will be a great alternative. Cracked glass doors will require replacement.

Also, you need to closely inspect the seal or gasket around the door to ensure they’re airtight.

With the glass cleaned, you’ll need to perform basic inspections by checking for scratches.

Whenever a gas fireplace glass is seen to be cracked, it’s necessary to have the same replaced to avoid breaking during the heat and cool times.

Another area you’ll need to check is the gasket on the glass assembly. Whenever combustion occurs, all sorts of by-products emerge, including carbon monoxide.

To keep such gases confined to the fireplace and vent, you’ll need to ensure the gasket is in good shape.

Damaged or worn-out gaskets will have to be replaced to ensure it serves their basic function.

• Cleaning the Firebox

The firebox component of a gas fireplace also needs to be serviced. This begins with cleaning. In this case, you’ll need to clean both the interior and exterior parts of the firebox.

Starting from the inside, get rid of all dust and dirt by vacuuming or using a soft paintbrush.

The external parts of the firebox are next. Use a vacuum cleaner and soft cloth for this job. You should clean the cavity areas and the base of the firebox.

• Your Gas Logs Need to Be Cleaned Too!

Gas logs are components of gas fireplaces.

The condition of your gas logs will have to be checked adequately at all times for functionality. Functionality in this sense refers to their color and look. These logs are designed to resemble natural logs.

These will require some cleaning, too, as they sometimes accumulate soot. If the gas fireplace is being used in the present, you’ll have to put it off and allow the gas logs to cool before proceeding.

A paintbrush will serve just fine in helping you remove soot on your gas logs.

To prevent tooth stains on your carpets, you’ll need to take this gas fireplace component outdoors for cleaning.

You may need to have them swapped when necessary.

• Safety Inspection

One of the key areas of gas fireplace maintenance is a safety inspection. This routine activity seeks to monitor and ensure that a gas fireplace is working satisfactorily.

For this action to succeed, you’ll need to know where to look and what constitutes an anomaly.

For the most part, you can’t do thorough gas fireplace safety inspections without the input of an expert. In other words, you need the help of an experienced technician to perform a detailed inspection.

Basically, the areas to be inspected will include the main burner and gas pressure. Here, adjustments are made where necessary to ensure optimal performance.

Other areas covered during a safety inspection include checking for gas and carbon monoxide leaks.

Fireplace technicians will also look at vents to ensure they’re no obstructions. Battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors are checked to ensure the batteries are still very functional.

Gas fireplaces must be inspected frequently.

You’ll need to find out from your technician how often you should inspect your fireplace. More importantly, maintaining an inspection schedule ensures your fireplace remains in perfect working condition.

• Inspecting the Firebox

Having cleaned the firebox, you’ll need to inspect the inside closely. This is necessary to help identify flaking, soot buildup, and rust. Also, inspection focuses on the pilot assembly to ensure it’s in good working condition.

Now that you’ve confirmed the presence of flaking or rust within your firebox, what should you take action(s)?

It’s simple! You’ll need to lightly sand affected areas and paint them over. It’s best to repaint the whole firebox to help address the rust and flaking situation.

• Reassembling the Fireplace

Gas fireplace component reassembling is the next action to take after inspections and cleaning. You should replace the fireplace glass to its original position and the gas valve turned on.

You should also put the safety barrier or decorative front in the proper position.

With everything/fixed and put back in place, you’ll need to consider other gas fireplace components, such as the external vent.

• Checking External Vent

Gas fireplace vents are primarily situated on the roof or side of walls. Irrespective of which scenario fits your design, some inspections will be necessary. Servicing a gas fireplace involves taking a look at all parts.

With gas fireplace vents, the problems are always the same; obstruction! Various situations could cause such obstacles to the free flow of combustion gases.

These include animals (birds, raccoons, squirrels, etc.), nests, grasses, leaves, etc.

It would be best to clear out such obstructions to allow for free air passage. Safety is paramount when it comes to gas fireplace servicing. To access external vents, you’ll need to use a ladder to climb up your roof or wall sides.

You should take utmost care to avoid sliding off.

If this seems like too much of a risk, consider calling or hiring a professional to carry out this servicing task for you. They’re more experienced and have all the tools necessary to perform an excellent job.

This takes away all the risks involved.

• Checking Carbon Monoxide Detector

The carbon monoxide detector is an important safety component. This is attached to all fireplaces, including those using gas fuels. Being a part of the system, a carbon monoxide detector is likely to fail.

This critical component isn’t installed directly over the gas fireplace.

Instead, it’s placed near the ceiling and slightly off the fireplace.

The gas fireplace is never complete without inspection of carbon monoxide detectors. The condition of such sensors is crucial as it safeguards your family. A service technician either services an existing carbon monoxide detector or recommends installing one or more.

This is a more technical procedure that’s best left to the pros. When a carbon monoxide detector hasn’t been checked or serviced for long, it tends to develop issues.

With frequent inspections, malfunctioning carbon monoxide detectors are readily addressed to alert you to carbon monoxide exposure.

• Inspecting Burner Ignition

The burner ignition brings a gas fireplace to life by igniting combustive action. Burner ignitions are designed to be started in a certain way. When anything out of the ordinary is noticed, you’ll need to call for help.

What’s the condition of your gas ignition? Remember, we earlier mentioned the pilot system, including electronic ignition systems. Depending on the type installed, have it checked by lighting it.

Put off your gas and clean all ports and valves within and beneath the logs. Some steel wool will prove helpful in this cleaning procedure. Are there gas leaks?

If there is a leak, it should be easily perceived. To further confirm, you may want to brush some soapy water over the ports, lines, and valves for signs of bubbles.

You may need a service technician around to conduct such tests.

A technician checks or inspects the burner ignition and fixes any issues arising. Complete replacement may be necessary in cases where the burner ignition is damaged.

• Actions Required Before An Inspection

When calling for an inspection, you’ll need to ensure you prepare for the process before the technician arrives.

Using your gas fireplace just before an inspection isn’t recommended. Your gas fireplace needs to be cool before the technician arrives.

As part of the preparation process for an inspection and possible repair, put off the gas supply and turn off the pilot light. As part of the safety procedure, experienced fireplace technicians will often cross-check to ensure the gas supply and pilot lights are turned off.

• Inspecting the Chimney

This is the final step of a gas fireplace maintenance process. Chimney inspection won’t be necessary for ventless gas fireplace systems. Also, it might be difficult for an untrained eye to spot problems with a gas fireplace.

In that regard, you should allow a trained technician to conduct or handle all gas fireplace-related maintenance.

• Discussing With A Fireplace Technician

Many homeowners make the error of simply calling for inspections or maintenance without having a meaningful discussion on how best to keep their gas fireplace in good condition.

When a technician comes around, it’s crucial to engage them in discussions about their situation.

FIX: Dealing With Gas Fireplace Wall Switch Issues

Most experienced technicians will be pleased to discover your level of interest in their job. This makes them more willing to help as they provide you with tips on operating and maintaining your gas fireplace.

Most times, the knowledge gained helps prolong the lifespan of your gas fireplace. You only need to apply these tips when the need arises.

Conclusion

Gas fireplaces serve an essential function as they’re mostly cleaner and more efficient than their wood-burning counterparts.

During their usage, these heating devices will have to be maintained. This article will find information on basic maintenance tips for gas fireplaces.

To the technically inclined person or DIY’er, gas fireplace maintenance wouldn’t be much of a problem.

However, some DIY enthusiasts might be interested but have a limited understanding of how the maintenance process works.

Servicing a gas fireplace follows all the steps outlined above. The procedure has been comprehensive enough to allow for easy maintenance.

These are the basic actions taken during gas fireplace maintenance. Such is necessary to help prevent issues that may arise. As discussed, the inspection procedure involves yourself as well as the technician.

In other words, each party plays a specific key role in ensuring a successful inspection process.