Easily Maintain Your Gas Fireplace Insert With These Tips

Many homeowners anticipate doing maintenance on a typical wood-burning fireplace, but what about a gas insert fireplace, such as those seen here? Yes, you must perform maintenance on them as well! But don’t worry, we’ve got some great suggestions for you below so you know what to do to maintain your gas insert fireplace in great shape.

When you receive your new ventless gas fireplace insert product, you will have a stunning, crystal clear view of your comfortable fire. However, if you do not clean the glass regularly, it will become obscured with residue from the gas flame. Fortunately, most gas fireplace doors are simple to remove for quick cleaning. Your model’s owner’s handbook should provide instructions for removing the doors.

In general, remove the doors and cover your table with newspaper to preserve it. With a soft cloth and window cleaner, clean the inside and outside of the doors. If there are stubborn black streaks, use ceramic cooktop cleaning and wipe away the residue with another rag. Using multiple paper towels, carefully dry the glass. Rep the doors, but wait 30 minutes before lighting the fireplace to allow the window cleaner to dissipate.

Examine The Ignition

One of the problems that might arise over time is a malfunctioning gas ignition. When cleaning the fireplace, make sure the inner gas igniter under the log works properly.

Turn off the gas and clean the ports and valves beneath the fireplace logs. You may send them down with steel wool or fine sandpaper. Also, keep an eye out for gas leaks; that familiar odor is a dead giveaway. To be certain, brush some soapy water over the gas lines, ports, and valves, looking for small bubbles. If you suspect a gas leak, immediately turn off the emergency valve and contact a professional.

Clean The Interior

Suck away dirt and dust from the interior of the insert with a wand attachment from your vacuum. If there are lava rocks within that can be vacuumed out, cover the aperture of the wand with cheesecloth or a stocking and secure it with a rubber band. This will create a filter that will allow dust and grime to pass through but not your rocks.

Clear Out The Logs

Most gas logs do not require maintenance or cleaning, but if you see soot buildup on the logs, consult your owner’s handbook to learn how to remove it. Take the logs outdoors and use a brush to carefully remove the soot off them. Water and cleansers should not be used on the lobs since they will damage the finish. It is important to note that you should not attempt to remove vent-free gas logs on your own; this should be done by a professional to guarantee safety.

Examine The Ventilation

If your gas fireplace is vented to the outdoors, the vent must be in good operating order. Check the vent at least once a year to ensure there is no obstruction; if this occurs, dangerous carbon monoxide may leak into your house. And you might not realize it until something horrible happens.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The last thing you want is carbon monoxide escaping into your house, which may be disastrous. However, because carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, you should install two or three carbon monoxide detectors in your home. At the very least, keep one near the fireplace and another upstairs. When you inspect your fire detectors each year, make sure to check the batteries.

Change The Batteries

Many times, people believe their gas insert fireplace has stopped operating. The only thing that needs to be changed is the batteries. Replace your fireplace batteries when you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. If you ever need to quickly switch off the fireplace, you’ll be relieved to know you have new batteries.

Schedule Inspections

You should have the gas fireplace, as well as the vent or chimney, examined once a year. There is no vent or chimney if your fireplace is vent-free, however, you should get it examined by a competent specialist. If you follow all of the steps outlined above, your fireplace should provide you with years of trouble-free service!

Issues With Do-It-Yourself Gas Fireplace Installations

But what if you’ve just purchased a fireplace and want to install it yourself? Be wary of the following issues:

• Problems with sizing: This should be easy to prevent, but sometimes homeowners fail to properly measure the area. You must ensure that you have the appropriately sized unit for your location. You must build around it if it is too tiny, but you must return it if it is too large.
• Not knowing the fireplace: If you’re installing a gas insert in a traditional fireplace, you’ll need to know the whole structure of the fireplace, from the flue to the chimney. You will have smoke in your house if the fire is started too far ahead!
• Gaps surrounding the fireplace opening: The hearth may not always reach all the way up to the opening of the fireplace, leaving an inconvenient gap that might cause smoke concerns.

When Do You Require The Services Of A Fireplace Professional?

The frequency with which you require service for your gas fireplace is determined by how frequently you use it. If you love having a fire from October to March, you may require servicing all year. However, if you only use it every few weeks, you can certainly get it examined every two years.

Gas fireplace maintenance should never be neglected; between gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning, a faulty gas fireplace may jeopardize health. These issues are uncommon, but frequent maintenance guarantees your family’s safety.

It’s wonderful to have a gas fireplace insert. With the flip of a switch, you can have a roaring fire at any moment. These fantastic fireplaces are fuel-efficient, clean-burning, and may help you save money on your heating cost. All you need to do is do some basic monthly maintenance, and you’ll be able to enjoy years of pleasant moments with your family in front of your fireplace.