A gas fireplace is one of the easiest ways to add warmth and comfort to your home, but like any gas appliance it needs regular care. A little maintenance keeps it running safely, looking its best and working efficiently through the fall and winter.
What you can do yourself
- Keep the area clear. Move furniture, decorations and anything flammable away from the front of the fireplace.
- Look at the flame. A healthy flame is mostly blue with some yellow tips. A lazy, very yellow or sooty flame is a sign it needs service.
- Check the glass. A white or cloudy film on the glass is normal over time. Clean it only with a cleaner made for fireplace glass, and only when the unit is completely cool.
- Test your CO alarm. Every home with a gas appliance should have a working carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas.
- Replace remote batteries. Many “it won’t turn on” calls are simply dead batteries in the remote or receiver.
What a professional service includes
An annual service by a licensed gas technician goes well beyond a surface clean. A typical visit includes:
- Cleaning the burner, pilot assembly and logs or media
- Checking the thermocouple or thermopile and ignition system
- Inspecting the venting and termination for blockages
- Checking gas connections for leaks
- Confirming correct gas pressure and a clean, stable flame
- Inspecting gaskets and the glass seal
When is the best time to service a fireplace?
Late summer or early fall is ideal — before you start using the fireplace regularly and before the busy heating season. That way any worn parts can be replaced before you need the heat.
Signs you should not wait
Book a service call right away if you notice soot on the glass, a pilot that keeps going out, unusual noises when it lights, or a burning or gas smell. If you ever smell gas, leave the home and call your gas utility’s emergency line from outside first.
Need help with your gas fireplace? Angels Heating & Cooling services, repairs and installs gas fireplaces and inserts across Greater Vancouver. See our fireplace services or call 604-969-7770.
