Gas Fireplace – Proper Maintenance to Last a Lifetime

Owning a gas fireplace is like investing on any other appliances at home. Generally the higher the value makes it worth to pay for a promise that it will last for a long period of time or perhaps a lifetime. Gas fireplaces are likewise subject to its wear and tear and needs rekindling as it age. Prolonging its terms of use will always depend on how it is used and maintained. It is always the consumer’s responsibility to understand how a gas fireplace operates and moreover be geared with information on how to take good care of gas fireplaces. Beyond the function and a superb ambiance it may offer, the security should be prioritized at all times.

Basically there are two main questions to keep your fireplaces in good working condition. What and how are the common questions for keeping it working at its best. The logs, burners, control sections, doors and vents are the common areas of the gas fireplaces that should be checked at least once a year or when needed. Cleaning these parts must be done cautiously. First and foremost, be certain to turn the gas valve off whenever you clean a gas fireplace and make sure to follow all the instructions from its manual.

Burners and Control Section – you can use either a vacuum or a brush to sweep some soot build ups. The control buttons and burners of gas fireplaces can be clogged with dusts some time. Dusting it can prevent the buttons and burners to malfunction.

Logs – gas logs are very delicate and to avoid fractures you must use a soft brush to clean some dusts, spider web build ups or any other by-products. The authentic glow of logs can diminish after a year or so. You can either replace them or let the technician check and advice for when is the best time to replace your logs. Generally logs are made to last for a long period of time unless it was bricked or totally broken. Always use appropriate logs for your gas fireplace and check if it fits perfectly before use.

Doors and glasses – let the gas fireplace cool before you clean these areas. Do not use any abrasive materials to wipe them. It comes very visible especially on glass and doing so may leave an unpleasant scratches. Modern types are slick and sometimes plated with gold or brass louvers. Do not use harsh chemicals; instead use a slightly wet cloth to wipe them or the standard cleaning agents that are made solely to clean delicate gas fireplace exteriors.

Pipes or Vents – mostly vents maybe clogged with different things after some times when it was not operated. Clogs may sometimes be in the form of bird’s nest, leaves brought by the wind, dead embers or even rusts. It is very important to check the venting system the same with the flue and chimney. Operating your unit with clogs on vent can pose real danger or fire build up. In addition to that, check the joints and latches if they are sealed.

If you are not familiar with all the necessary maintenance do’s and don’ts, leave the inspection to the expert. There are technicians who can do all the safety measures that need to be checked. It also includes checking of the igniter, pilot flame, the heat emission, the right positioning of the logs and the electrical wiring.