Key Steps For Maintaining A Gas Fireplace

If you have a gas fireplace in your home, there are several potential reasons that you likely chose gas over wood. Gas fireplaces require considerably less fuss than their wood-burning counterparts, as you can light a fire simply by flipping a switch. Another big reason that people enjoy gas fireplaces is that they generally require less maintenance. This doesn't mean that you never have to think about the upkeep of your fireplace, however. You should hire a local fireplace service that has experience dealing with gas fireplaces to perform these regular maintenance tasks.

Cleaning

While it's true that a gas fireplace doesn't get nearly as dirty as a wood-burning fireplace, the former can still suffer from cleanliness-related issues over time. Namely, you'll eventually begin to see grime on numerous surfaces around the fireplace, including on the ceramic logs, glass, and other areas. This grime can be an eyesore, but a fireplace service will be able to get rid of it for you. A thorough cleaning around a set schedule based on how frequently you use the fireplace will eliminate the grime and give the fireplace a like-new appearance. Depending on the design of your gas fireplace, your service technician may need to take some of it apart to thoroughly clean it.

Leak Detection

You can also expect that your maintenance appointment will include a careful inspection of your gas fireplace's hoses and fittings to ensure that they're still in proper working order. Even a small leak would not only affect the fireplace's performance, but could also threaten the health and safety of your family. The maintenance specialist who visits your home will take some time to inspect the fireplace in detail, running any tests when necessary, to ensure that there aren't any leaks in the system.

Log Replacement

Over time, it's possible for the ceramic logs in a gas fireplace to become cracked or otherwise damaged. During your maintenance appointment, your technician will inspect each log component to ensure that it's structurally sound. In the event of damage to one or more of the logs, you can expect that the technician will bring this issue to your attention to give you some options to consider. In most scenarios, you'll want to replace the log in question to ensure that your gas fireplace looks its best. Learn more about fireplace maintenance by contacting a local fireplace service and scheduling an in-home visit.