Common Gas Fireplace Problems That You Need To Be Aware Of
08/15/22
Natural gas can be used safely in gas fireplaces, but homeowners should never forget that this fuel is still volatile and dangerous. It’s essential to take care when using your natural gas fireplace and to look for common issues that require professional expertise. Common gas fireplace problems can be any of the following:
Your fireplace won’t turn on
When your gas fireplace won’t light, you should first check to see if you forgot to turn on the gas valve. If that’s not the problem, you could have a faulty gas line, gas valve, or propane tank.
You start smelling strange odors
New fireplaces can produce strange, plastic-like smells from paints, lubricants, or other substances from manufactured fireplace logs. This smell should go away after three to four hours of use. A dirty fireplace with excessive pet hair or dust can also produce an odor. If you smell rotten eggs, call for help immediately, as you likely have a gas leak.
You hear unexpected noises
Gas fireplaces work almost silently, sometimes with a gentle hum from the blower — a fan that distributes heat from the flames. Any grinding, shrieking, roaring, or rumbling sounds indicate a need for repairs.
You notice soot or Creosote buildup
Your fireplace shouldn’t have a large amount of soot or creosote built up. Creosote is a hard, tar-like substance created when soot combines with moisture or when woodsmoke condenses and cools. The buildup of these substances indicates a problem with your firebox, burner, chimney, or ventilation that should be promptly addressed — especially as creosote is highly flammable.
Your pilot light is out
You might be able to see your pilot light inside your fireplace as a small blue flame beneath the logs. Without a pilot light to ignite the gas, your fireplace won’t work. If the pilot light is out, get help promptly, particularly if you don’t know how it happened or if you begin to smell rotten eggs. You don’t want to risk a DIY fix if natural gas has leaked into the room, and whatever problem extinguished the pilot light — such as a downdraft caused by a damaged chimney damper — needs to be fixed so it won’t happen again.
Services We Offer
Chimney.com provides an array of gas fireplace services, including:
- Gas fireplace installation
- Gas fireplace repair
- Converting wood-burning fireplaces to gas
- Fireplace remodels
- Gas line services
- Fireplace maintenance
Schedule annual gas fireplace maintenance services with trusted professionals, like Chimney.com, to ensure everything works well and is safe to use.
For top-quality gas fireplace services, call Chimney.com at (301) 989-3300, or contact us online to arrange your free estimate!