If you have a gas fireplace, one of the considerations for purchase was more than likely the low maintenance factor. Compared to a wood burning fireplace, there is hardly the daily and yearly maintenance required. However, like wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces should be inspected on a yearly basis.
Just like a wood burning fireplace, your gas fireplace can have a buildup, even if it is a ventless fireplace. Even though the logs inside are ceramic, they can create debris on the bottom of the fireplace as well as clog any vents. These are just a couple of areas of concern for owners of gas fireplaces.
Depending upon the service requested, your inspection may vary from a simple test of all working parts and connections to a complete cleaning and refinishing (if necessary) of your fireplace. So, what are some of the basics you can expect from your gas fireplace inspection?
All hearth equipment should be checked for proper working condition.
Connections and valves should be checked for leaks and proper working condition.
Thermocouple and thermopile is checked for cleanliness and wear.
Glass should be cleaned, both inside and out.
Logs will be checked for placement and proper working condition.
If necessary, embers will be replaced.
Entire inside of the fireplace should be cleaned and ready for use.
Some additional safety facts unrelated to the fireplace inspection but very important are:
It generally takes about 45 minutes for a gas fire to cool to the point the doors and glass are cool enough to touch. This is especially important for homes with small children, as they may be curious about the fireplace and want to examine it.
Glass on a gas fireplace door can reach temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
If young children are around, create some type of barrier around the fireplace to prevent them from having access. You can find fireplace screens and childproof barriers at most home improvement stores.
By Ronald Caillais on December 18th, 2012 | Tagged with: Tags: fireplace maintenance, gas logs |
Comments Off on Why Your Gas Fireplace Needs Regular Inspection Too
–Article contributed by High’s Chimney Service, a company which performs chimney maintenance and chimney repair in Maryland and North Virginia.
Generally speaking, using your fireplace is safe. However, there are ways to make your fireplace use even safer. Check out the following tips for some green fireplace habits to get into.
Install the Fireplace Correctly
Having a fireplace installed incorrectly can create a whole host of problems, including increased chimney fire hazards and air pollution. Chimney airflow problems may arise if improperly sized chimney liners or inadequately sized chimneys are installed as well.
Have the Chimney and Fireplace Inspected
Fireplaces, especially chimneys, accumulate lots of gunk over time if not properly cared for. Deposits like creosote and soot each call your chimney their home, and too much of either one can restrict airflow (17% restriction in a masonry chimney, 30% in a prefabricate chimney).
Burn the Smoke
Lots of fireplaces can reduce their own pollution these days. The reason this is possible is because the gas and smoke burns up in addition to the wood inside your unit. If your fireplace does this, the smoke won’t even escape through the chimney. Many fireplace units do this automatically, though if yours doesn’t, consider installing what is called a catalyst.
Burn Hardwood or Wood Alternatives
Some woods are better than others. Birches, cherry, maple and others are more efficient in that they burn hotter and longer, and they also burn cleaner than their pine, spruce and fir counterparts. Unseasoned wood (wood that is not left out to dry for several months) will also produce more smoke and pollutants. While units manage smoke well, the less they have to deal with in the first place, the better.
If you’re truly concerned about using wood in your fireplace, consider burning alternative items. Several stoves are specially designed to burn pellets, which are made of compressed sawdust, and produce less waste. Also think about using non-wood kindling like Java Logs. These are all-natural, being made entirely out of coffee grounds, and release 66% less creosote and 78% less carbon monoxide than wood.
Never Burn Contaminated Items
Oftentimes we use various items to help kindle the fire. A common tactic is to crumple up newspaper. There are some items you don’t want to burn, though. Old books, magazines with colored ink and cardboard are at the top of the list. Anything that is chemically-treated is a no-no as well. Varnished or painted wood, plastic and materials with glue should never be put into the fireplace. All of these items contain toxins, which if they escape with the smoke will hurt the environment.
These are all great eco-friendly and safe habits to get into when using your fireplace. Building a responsible fire requires many considerations, and these should help you get on the right track. With so many other pollutants in our world, let’s reduce our environmental footprint by building clean fires!
When going to choose firewood for your fireplace, make sure you know exactly what you are looking for. For instance, did you know that some wood is not good for your fireplace and chimney? Also, were you aware that some firewood needs to be seasoned for up to 2 years. Once you understand all of the facts about wood for burning, you are much more likely to make a wise choice that helps keep your home and family safe.
When choosing firewood, be sure to pick sufficiently dried hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch. Softwoods, like pine, burn more less efficiently. They emit much more creosote than hardwoods as well. Since creosote is so flammable, any amount of buildup could potentially lead to a chimney fire. Hardwoods, on the other hand burn hotter, and leave much less creosote on the lining of your chimney. Also, avoid using any treated wood or wood scraps from construction sites. You can’t be sure about what chemicals might be in the wood, and once it starts burning, it could emit dangerous chemicals and fumes into your living space.
Know who it is you are buying your wood from. Buying from a reputable dealer will give you greater assurance that the wood is sufficiently seasoned. Of course, it’s always a good idea to get wood from a kiln dried wood dealer. This wood has significantly less moisture left in the wood. Conventional seasoning takes longer, and can leave as much as 10% more moisture in the wood. When observing the wood you are looking to buy, look for signs that has dried out. Is the bark easy to pull off? Does the wood have a grayish color? Are the ends starting to split? These are all signs of well-seasoned wood.
Owning a fireplace and chimney is a responsibility that cannot be ignored. Apart from needing to properly maintain and clean the appliance itself, you also need to use best practices while you operate the chimney. This will ensure years of enjoyment and safety for you and your family.
