Gas Fireplace and Gas Log Service

On this page

1. Why gas units still need service
2. Which kind of gas fireplace do you have?
3. Warning signs to take seriously
4. How we assess it
5. What service can include
6. When a gas fireplace needs a liner
7. Glass fronts and safety screens
8. Carbon monoxide alarms
9. Next step
10. Questions homeowners ask

Why gas units still need service

A gas fireplace has no creosote, so people often assume it needs nothing. In practice, gas appliances collect dust, lint and pet hair around the burner and controls. Logs and embers shift and can block the flame pattern. Glass fronts build up a white or gray film. Vents and flues can be blocked by nests, debris or deteriorated flue tiles.

The more important part is the exhaust. Gas combustion produces water vapor and carbon monoxide. Those gases need a clear, intact path outside. When venting fails, the problem can be hard to notice until an alarm goes off.

Which kind of gas fireplace do you have?

The service depends on the setup. Most homes have one of these:

• Gas logs in a masonry fireplace. A log set and burner placed in an existing wood-burning firebox, venting up the original chimney.
• Direct-vent fireplace or insert. A sealed glass-front unit that draws outside air and exhausts through a coaxial pipe, through a wall or up a liner.
• B-vent or natural-vent unit. A unit that uses room air and vents through a metal pipe or a lined chimney.
• Vent-free logs or fireplaces. Units with no chimney connection that release combustion products into the room.

Our guide to gas logs vs. gas inserts explains the differences in more detail.

Vent-free units are worth a separate mention. Because they have no flue, their exhaust stays in the house. Manufacturers limit room size and run time for that reason. If a vent-free unit is sooting, smells or makes the room feel stuffy, stop using it until it has been looked at.

Warning signs to take seriously

• Soot on the glass, logs or the face of the fireplace
• Flames that look tall, lazy, yellow and smoky when they used to look different
• A pilot that keeps going out or a unit that will not stay lit
• Moisture or condensation inside the glass that does not clear once warmed up
• Unusual odors when the unit runs
• Headaches, dizziness or nausea in the house when the fireplace is on

How we assess it

Every visit starts with an assessment. On a gas fireplace that usually means:

• Identifying the type of unit and how it vents, using the rating plate and manufacturer information when available
• Looking at the burner, log placement, glass, gasket and the pilot assembly area
• Checking the vent termination or chimney top for blockage, damage and a cap
• Using a chimney camera inside the flue when the flue allows, to look at tiles, joints and debris
• Noting whether the flue size and condition suit the gas appliance that vents into it

You get our findings with photos before any repair is scheduled.

What service can include

• Removing and cleaning the logs or media, burner area and firebox
• Cleaning the glass and checking the gasket and latches
• Re-setting logs to the layout the manufacturer specifies, since misplaced logs can cause sooting
• Cleaning dust and debris around the pilot assembly and controls
• Clearing the vent or chimney of nests and debris and fitting a cap where needed
• Recommending repairs or parts when components are worn

We connect gas logs, gas fireplaces and inserts to an existing gas line. We do not run or install new gas lines. If a new line or an extension is needed, a plumber or your gas utility handles that part before we connect the appliance. We tell you what the job needs before it is scheduled.

When a gas fireplace needs a liner

Gas exhaust carries a lot of water vapor. In an oversized or unlined masonry flue, that vapor can cool and condense on the walls. Over time the moisture and acids break down mortar and tiles, and debris can fall and block the flue. A flue that is too large for the appliance can also draft poorly.

When the camera shows deterioration or a size mismatch, a properly sized chimney liner may be the right fix. Many direct-vent inserts also require a specific liner system from the manufacturer.

Glass fronts and safety screens

The glass on a sealed gas fireplace or insert gets very hot during use and stays hot for a while after it is turned off. Some units come with a barrier screen in front of the glass to reduce burn risk, especially for young children. Ask about whether a screen made for your model is available.

During service we check that the glass is intact, seated correctly and sealed by its gasket. A cracked or chipped glass panel should be replaced with the part the manufacturer specifies. Ordinary glass cannot take the heat. Some glass fronts are part of the venting seal, so a unit with damaged glass should not be used until it is replaced.

Carbon monoxide alarms

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends at least one CO alarm in every home and a yearly professional check of fuel-burning appliances, including fireplaces, with chimneys and flues checked for blockage. A CO alarm outside sleeping areas is an inexpensive layer of protection that a service visit does not replace. Read more in carbon monoxide and your chimney.

Next step

If your gas fireplace has not been looked at in a while, or something about the flame, glass or smell has changed, request service. A team member will contact you to confirm a time.

When you submit the request, include the make and model from the rating plate if you can find it. It is often on a tag behind the lower grille or under the unit. That lets us check the manufacturer's service information before the visit.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. CPSC: CPSC Recommends Carbon Monoxide Alarm for Every Home
2. CPSC: Warns of Hazards from Furnaces, Space Heaters and Fireplaces