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Fireplaces

Do Gas Fireplaces Need to Be Cleaned?

While gas fireplaces don’t produce creosote, they do still need annual cleaning. Both propane and natural gas are clean burning gas fuels, so they don’t produce the same byproducts as wood, but they can still produce buildup that needs to be cleaned away. A dirty fireplace not only results in poor performance, but it can also be a safety hazard. If a fireplace has gone for a long period without being used–often the case during the summer months–a chimney can become blocked without the homeowner realizing. A blockage can result in poor ventilation, which can result in dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide entering the home.

What happens on a professional cleaning?

  • Having your fireplace inspected annually by a professional is a great idea. As with any technical process, a trained eye can spot problems early and fix any issues found during the inspection. If you hire a professional, here are some of the key areas of your fireplace they’ll review: Glass assembly – An inspector will check your glass for scratches, which can cause the glass to lose strength or break during heating or cooling cycles. They’ll also check gaskets to ensure combustion materials remain within the firebox.
  • Firebox interior – A fireplace tech will check the inside of your firebox for signs of wear-and-tear like rust or soot buildup.
  • Firebox exterior – A proper inspection and cleaning of the fireplace base and valve cavity area can help remove unpleasant odors commonly noticed when using the fireplace for the first time after a long period of nonuse.
  • Outside venting – A full inspection will check to ensure outdoor vents are free from debris like leaves or animal nests. The inspector may need access to your roof if that’s where your fireplace vents.
  • The carbon monoxide detector – A carbon monoxide detector is essential to all homes but is even more necessary in homes with a fireplace. This device will be tested to ensure proper operation.
  • Burner ignition – A fireplace burner should ignite quickly and fully. Poor ignition can be caused by a number of factors, but a proper inspection can help diagnose these.

Our fireplace Service & Installation

We service and install brands such as:
HearthstoneHeat-n-GloMajesticMonessenNapoleonVermont CastingsEmpireRasmussenWhite Mountain We even repair many obsolete brands such as Polaris and Hunter!!