If you have a gas fireplace, you may have purchased it because it requires less maintenance than a wood fireplace. While this is true, there are a few things you should check on a regular basis to avoid permanent damage to your fireplace. Please follow these maintenance steps from our experts to ensure your fireplace remains in pristine condition.
First, we begin by searching for dust inside your fireplace or on the glass. To prevent buildup in gas logs or the gas burner system, remove all dirt and debris first. Next, look for any gas logs that may have moved while cleaning or burning. The proper log arrangement is usually depicted in the owner's manual, and most log sets have pins or recesses to guide their setup.
It is critical that they remain in the proper position so that they do not cover the burner tubes or restrict gas flow. Finally, once everything has been dusted and the door has been put back in place, check for any looseness in the door's fit and adjust as needed. The glass prevents cold air from being drawn in through the fireplace opening, creating a vacuum that suckers heat out of your room. As a result, you should tighten any loose pieces and ensure that cold air only enters through the venting system. The spring clamps on most models keep the door tightly closed, but the threaded bolts or nuts that adjust spring tightness can become loose over time. Just use an adjustable wrench to tighten them.
Second, in order to prepare for every cold season, it is critical to inspect the chimney termination for yard debris or rust before each burn season. Because they are lower to the ground, chimney terminations mounted on the side of a house, rather than the roof, are more likely to collect lawn debris. As a result, it is a good idea to visually inspect them and remove anything that is stuck in the cap. Then, proceed to the firebox, remove all of the logs, and clean the inside of your fireplace. Gas fireplaces do not produce creosote like wood burning fireplaces do, but they can serve as a home for spiders and accumulate a layer of dust from outside air. Once everything is clean, you can test to see that the gas is flowing freely by starting up the fire as usual.
Third, we will want to ensure we do yearly inspections. Once a year, you should perform a more thorough inspection of your gas fireplace. During this time, you should inspect the condition of your chimney vent enclosures and flashings. Remove the vent cap from your chimney termination and inspect the vent for blockages. Although chimney caps are designed to keep debris and animals out, some things can find their way into the vent, especially if the vent screen is damaged. You might be able to remove it yourself depending on what it is but call a professional if the job seems dangerous.
If you follow these steps, your gas fireplace should be able to provide you and your family years of warmth and comfort during the harsh winters.
