Will my Gas Fireplace Run Smooth Without Annual Inspections?
You may think fondly of your gas fireplace and not just because of treasured memories enjoying fires with loved ones. A gas fireplace is an incredible convenience! It turns on effortlessly, provides instant heat, and shuts off at your command. While all of these things are true, it’s important to realize that scheduling annual inspections for gas fireplaces is a serious safety matter.
It’s much like what William Shakespeare famously wrote. Just as “the course of true love never did run smooth,” your wonderful gas fireplace can become the cause of a hazardous fire, explosion, or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Annual inspections can keep your family safe and fires of affection for your gas fireplace stoked.
What Can Go Wrong with a Gas Fireplace?
People often stack a gas fireplace up against the inconveniences of wood-burning fireplaces and become complacent, as a result. True, wood fires create buildup of highly flammable creosote and gas fires don’t. But there are other types of buildup that could cause problems. And, true, it’s unnecessary to deal with cutting, stacking, and hauling firewood because you have a beautiful faux log set. But even a faux log set can deteriorate and have needs, such as occasional dusting. Venting is as important for a gas fireplace as a wood-burning fireplace, to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide. Learn more below about why gas fireplaces need annual inspections.
Clogged or Worn Gas Fireplace Components
Taking their gas fireplace systems somewhat for granted, many homeowners don’t realize how fragile they can be. Dirt, dust, and hair naturally accumulate on various fireplace components, creating risks and problems. Even if a gas fireplace is infrequently used, burners and pilot tubes can become clogged. When a pilot light is turned off, the chemical Mercaptan contained in natural gas attracts spiders. As a result, it is not unusual for spiders to build webs in the valves. Sometimes, webs completely block the flow of gas to the pilot lights or burners.
Other common issues discovered during a gas fireplace inspection include:
- The glass doors on a gas fireplace could become loose, scratched, or chipped. A chip in the glass has been known to cause a small explosion.
- Burners can become corroded.
- Thermocouples and thermopiles can become damaged or dirty.
- Pilot lights can become faulty.
- Connections between the gas fireplace and fuel source can become loose.
Malfunctioning Gas Fireplace Components
The presence of debris isn’t the only way a gas fireplace can go wrong. If there is a malfunction of the thermopile or thermocouple and the pilot light and gas are both on but not the burners, the result could be an explosion that shatters the glass doors and endangers anyone who may be in the immediate area.
The combustion system in a gas fireplace can malfunction, resulting in carbon monoxide entering the living spaces of your home. This toxic gas is known as a silent killer because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. Occupants of a home are often overcome by carbon monoxide fumes before they realize escape to the outdoors is necessary.
A Blocked Vent
Venting systems for gas fireplaces can become clogged by leaves, animal nests, twigs, and more. Anytime venting is clogged, toxic fumes are obstructed from exiting the home. It is important to have a carbon monoxide detector in good working order anytime you use a gas fireplace, since this type of situation results in the release of toxic gases into the home.
Contact Chimney Experts
Don’t allow a break-up between yourself and safe use of your gas fireplace. Contact chimney specialists at Dubuque Fireplace & Patio in Dubuque, Iowa, or, if more convenient, our sister store Chimney Specialists Inc. in Highland, Wisconsin. Our trained and professional chimney experts can provide an expert gas fireplace inspection. If you would like to have a gas fireplace installed in your home, either of our stores can help with that, as well. Stop by or contact us today using contact information below.
Dubuque Fireplace & Patio
925 Century Drive, Dubuque, Iowa
Phone – (563) 582-5156
Chimney Specialists Inc.
869 Main Street, Highland, WI
Phone – (608) 929-4887 / Toll Free (800) 395-6660