The No. 1 reason homeowners choose gas fireplaces over their wood-burning counterparts is convenience. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces turn on instantly and don’t create the ash and smoke that wood fires do. That isn’t to say that gas fireplaces don’t require care. Gas fireplaces need to be serviced, too.
The Importance of Fireplace Maintenance
Just like traditional fireplaces, experts recommend that you have your gas fireplace cleaned and inspected at least once per year. The chimney for your vented gas fireplace might not fill with hazardous creosote. However, soot does accumulate in a gas fireplace chimney. That soot is highly corrosive. If left unchecked, it can eat away at the metal lining of the chimney, causing dangerous leaks. The leaks could allow carbon monoxide into your home. And just like any ventilation system, animals or debris can make their way into the chimney and cause dangerous blockages. That can prevent your fireplace from exhausting its deadly gas byproducts.
Aside from the chimney, all gas fireplaces need to be cleaned regularly. That includes gas logs, gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts — whether they are vented or unvented. Dust gathers inside all gas fireplace systems, along with fragments that break off of the ceramic logs within the fireplace. Over time, that dust and debris can block vents and other working components of the fireplace, causing it to run inefficiently, malfunction or even stop working altogether. On top of that, regular cleaning of your gas fireplace will keep your gas fireplace looking clean and attractive.
What to Expect During Your Gas Fireplace Maintenance
When you call in a professional to clean your gas fireplace, every component will be cleaned and inspected. First, your fireplace technician will open the door and remove the logs. The entire fireplace will be cleaned and dusted. With a vented gas fireplace, the sweep will use his high-powered brushes to clear soot out of the chimney. As he or she cleans, you technician will check the entire system, including the gaskets, blowers, pilot light, chimney and connection, and the door glass and seals. The inspection is as important as the cleaning; it ensures that your gas fireplace system is running safely and efficiently. When gas fireplaces don’t work properly they can:
- seep carbon monoxide into your home,
- burn more gas than is necessary
- or stop working altogether.
Who To Call for Gas Fireplace Maintenance
If you have a gas fireplace that is overdue for maintenance, malfunctioning or looking drab and dirty, call Fluesbrothers Chimney Service to schedule an appointment today! We can clean your gas fireplace, gas fireplace insert or gas logs, along with your appliance’s chimney, to make sure the system is free from dirt and debris, running properly and safe to use in your home.
