If you like a roaring fire from autumn all the way through spring, you should conduct or schedule service
once a year
, ideally early in the summer. If you only use your gas fireplace occasionally, you can probably get by with a fireplace service check every two years.
Do fireplaces need maintenance?
Regular cleaning will help keep your fireplace performing efficiently and safely for years to come
. Be sure to clean your fireplace annually for best results.
What is the maintenance for a fireplace?
If you own a wood-burning fireplace, much of the maintenance involves
keeping the firebox (the area where you build a fire) clean
. After each use, the remaining ash should be removed and disposed of—but wait at least twelve hours after the fire has died to make sure the ash is cold.
Are fireplaces high maintenance?
No Daily Upkeep Required
Wood fireplaces are known to have more maintenance
, but many people don’t want to part ways with their beloved wood-burning fireplace because of its authenticity, nostalgic smell and the unbeatable sound of wood crackling.
How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?
- Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace.
- Poorly Burning Fires.
- Odors Coming from the Fireplace.
- Animals are Inside Your Chimney.
- Smoke Doesn’t Rise Up the Chimney.
- Fires are Difficult to Get Started.
- Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney.
How often should you remove ashes from fireplace?
As mentioned, some types of wood will produce more ash. So, if the wood you burn leaves more ash, you’ll need to clean it out more frequently. However, the general rule is to clean the ash out of your fireplace
every week or so
. When you do, make sure to leave a one- to two-inch layer behind for future fires.
What is the lifespan of a gas fireplace?
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last? Generally speaking, you can get a good
ten to fifteen years
of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace.
How often should gas fireplace logs be replaced?
A general rule of thumb when it comes to ceramic propane gas logs is this: a vented log set that has been regularly maintained can last for
at least ten years
, while a vent-free set with the same regular maintenance will show signs of wear between three and five years if the fireplace is used frequently.
Do chimneys with gas logs need to be cleaned?
While gas chimneys often don’t need as much cleaning as their wood counterparts, it doesn’t mean they don’t need any cleaning at all. They are just as vulnerable to other chimney problems and
it strongly behooves you to have them cleaned and inspected every year
.
Can you go to bed with a fire in the fireplace?
You should never go to sleep while a fire is in the fireplace
. It may seem safe—after all, the fire is small and controlled behind a metal grate.
Can you pour water on a fireplace?
It is important to note that
you should avoid using water as a method to put out a fire
. Doing so can cause an outburst of smoke and it can also lead to steam burns. Water should only be used as a way to extinguish a fire in a fireplace in an emergency situation where there is nothing else available.
Should I crack a window when using fireplace?
Crack open a window nearest your fireplace
So rather than allow the air to come in from rooms far away from your fire (air that needs to get heated by your home heating system), if you slightly open a window as close as possible to your fireplace, this air can be heated by the fireplace itself.
Are wood-burning fireplaces safe?
Burning wood in your fireplace all winter may feel cozy and keep you warm, but smoke from those fires can also cause health problems.
Wood fires release tiny particles that get into the lungs and can harm people with underlying health conditions
. This can affect the lungs and the heart as well.
What is creosote?
Creosote is
derived from the distillation of tar from wood or coal and is used as a wood preservative
. Pesticide products containing creosote as the active ingredient are used to protect wood used outdoors (such as railroad ties and utility poles) against termites, fungi, mites and other pests.
How do I test my fireplace?
- #1 Examine the Firebox. Look for any cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the lining of the firebox (the interior of the fireplace). …
- #2 Look for Telltale Smoke Stains. …
- #3 Make Sure Your Grate Is the Right Size. …
- #4 Check the Chimney. …
- #5 Double-Check Your Fire Extinguisher.
What happens if you don’t clean your chimney?
When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time,
a substance called creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace
. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire (an uncontrolled 2000 degree fire burning inside the chimney).
Do you need to clean your chimney if you don’t use your fireplace?
If you do not use your chimney,
you may not have to clean it as often
, but you still should have a professional inspect and sweep your chimney to make sure it is safe. Chimney damage can occur, even if you do not use it.
Can I clean my chimney myself?
In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself
and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. But if you have heavy creosote buildup, you’ll have to call in a pro.
How do you empty ashes from a fireplace?
Ash Removal
To remove, simply
shovel up the ashes, place them in a bag, and dispose in the trash
. If your fireplace has an ash dump, push the ashes through the metal plate in the floor of the firebox. Use a vacuum to clean up the remaining ashes in the firebox and on the hearth.
Should you leave ash in fireplace?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends leaving a one-inch bed of ashes on the floor of your wood-burning fireplace
. That ash catches coals and insulates them, allowing your fire to burn at its hottest. Ash should be removed when it build up beyond that inch, and at the end of the fire-burning season.
Where do ashes go in fireplace?
An ash pit
is a compartment at the base of the fireplace that holds fireplace ashes. This compartment, usually a cavity surrounded by cinder blocks or concrete, is reached through a small metal access door mounted flush in the fireplace floor or wall.
How do you maintain a gas fireplace?
- Clean glass as needed. Most gas fireplace doors are removable for easy cleaning. …
- Clean interior as needed. Using the wand attachment, gently vacuum dust and debris from the fireplace interior. …
- Clean logs. …
- Replace batteries. …
- Inspections.
Can a gas fireplace wear out?
If you’re wondering do gas log wear out, the answer is yes. While you certainly won’t be replacing your gas logs as often as you would with real firewood,
there comes a point in time where they’ll need to be swapped out with replacement gas logs
.
How do you update a gas fireplace?
- Replace the mantle and/or the hearth.
- For a realistic touch, consider placing a tool set, bellows or some clean birch logs in a log rack on the hearth.
- Reface the brick with a cultured stone product.
- Paint the brick around the fireplace.
Is it cheaper to run your gas fireplace or furnace?
A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace
. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.
Is it normal to smell gas from gas fireplace?
Why Does a Gas Fireplace Smell Like Gas When Turned On? The smell you notice when using some gas appliances actually isn’t natural – it’s added to the gas to make it easier to detect a leak. However,
it’s perfectly normal for a gas fireplace to vent a small amount of gas when it’s first turned on
.
Does gas fireplace use a lot of gas?
Depending on the age of a gas fireplace and its maximum heat output,
a gas fireplace can use a relatively large amounts of gas if used at max settings for a number of hours per day
. However, gas fireplaces be a very cost-effective form of heating, especially if using natural gas rather than propane.
