Before You Light the Fireplace This Fall: A Gas Fireplace Safety Check

As heating season approaches in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Northern Colorado, it is important for homeowners to perform gas fireplace maintenance. Gas fireplaces sit unused during the summer, letting debris, dust, and the occasional insect nest build up. Before the first use of the year, schedule a gas fireplace inspection with Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

Why a Pre-Season Check Matters

When the first cold evening of the year arrives, many homeowners reach for their fireplaces for warmth. However, before you turn your fireplace on, you need to perform a pre-season gas fireplace check. Months of sitting idle can allow dust and debris to build up on the burner. Bird nests and pests can also take up residence. The ignition system and burner components have also gone months without running.

For all of these reasons, you need to perform a safety check. You need to be completely confident that your gas fireplace is ready before you actually need it. Besides performing basic checks and maintenance yourself, there are also specific tests that can be handled by a professional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician during a scheduled inspection.

Homeowner-Safe Checks Before First Use

While certain tasks should be left to the experts, there are a few homeowner-safe checks you can do to see whether your gas fireplace is ready for fall and winter.

1. Clear the Area: First, verify that there is nothing flammable stored near or in front of the fireplace. 
2. Inspect the Glass and Surround: Check the glass and surround for any gaps or cracks. Note if there are any loose panels. If there is anything wrong with the glass, you should not operate the unit.
3. Look for Dust and Debris: After a long summer spent idle, it’s common for there to be dust on the logs or burner. If there is, follow the manufacturer’s guidance to lightly clean off the dust.
4. Check the Exterior of Your Venting: From the outside of your home, verify that the vent termination isn’t obstructed by nests or leaves.
5. Test the Ignition Once: Try out the unit to see if it lights properly. The flame should be steady and blue. Note if there are any unusual smells.
6. Confirm Your Detectors Are in Working Order: Test the carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors that are near the gas fireplace. Then, replace the batteries as needed.

For your safety, you should never attempt to disassemble the burner or gas components. You should not clean inside the gas valve area or attempt to operate the fireplace if there is a gas odor. Additionally, never run a fireplace that has a yellow or sooty flame.

What a Yellow Flame or Soot Is Telling You

When it comes to gas fireplace maintenance, the flame color and presence of soot are meaningful indications of a problem. A healthy gas flame should be mostly blue and steady. If the flame is persistently yellow, lazy, or flickering, it indicates incomplete combustion. Besides producing soot, incomplete combustion can also cause CO to build up. Any unusual odor or soot buildup on the glass and logs is a sign that you should immediately stop using the fireplace and schedule fireplace maintenance.

What a Professional Inspection Covers

While you can handle some of the maintenance work on your own, other tasks require professional help. When one of our HVAC technicians comes to your home, they’ll go through the following steps to make sure your fireplace is ready for winter.

• Venting and Flue Inspection: First, the technician will confirm that the vent is clear, intact, and drawing properly. This step is essential for indoor air quality and CO safety.
• Burner and Pilot Cleaning: Next, the technician will clean away dust and debris. By doing so, they can ensure clean, complete combustion.
• Gas Connection and Valve Check: The technician will inspect for any indications of leaks and ensure your valves are operating properly.
• Ignition System Service: Afterward, the technician will check your pilot light, igniter, and thermocouple.
• Combustion and Flame Quality: The technician will verify that the flame is burning cleanly and your unit is venting safely.

We typically recommend scheduling your gas fireplace cleaning and inspection in the fall before the heating season arrives. Like furnace tune-ups, gas fireplace tune-ups should be scheduled once per year.

The Carbon Monoxide Point

Learning how to maintain a gas fireplace is important because of the safety risks involved. Any gas-burning appliance creates combustion byproducts. When a gas fireplace or furnace is functioning properly, these byproducts are vented safely outside your home. If there is a blocked vent or incomplete combustion, CO becomes a real risk for your family.

As a homeowner, it is essential to protect your home from CO gas. You should always have working CO detectors in your home. To avoid hazardous CO buildup, you should never use a fireplace that smells of gas, produces excessive soot, or has an abnormal flame pattern. For your protection, we also recommend having your unit professionally inspected once per year.

When to Call Balance Point

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell when a problem is a minor issue and when it requires professional help. If you notice any of the following signs, you should reach out to our team for professional help.

• Gas Odors: A gas or sulfur-like odor can indicate a gas leak and should be treated as an emergency. You should immediately evacuate the home and, once you are in a safe location, call your gas utility or emergency services.
• Yellow, Sooty, or Unsteady Flames: A flickering or yellow flame is a sign of incomplete combustion. Soot buildup on the glass or logs also means that there is likely a combustion issue.
• Pilot Light Problems: Call for help if the fireplace will not light, or the pilot light will not stay lit.
• Venting Blockages: If there is debris, a nest, or any other blockage in the vent, you should have it cleaned by a professional.
• Lack of Maintenance: You should schedule an inspection if it has been more than a year since your unit was checked by a technician.

FAQs

How often should a gas fireplace be serviced? 

You should generally schedule your Fort Collins gas fireplace service at least once a year. Like a furnace tune-up, this appointment should generally occur before the heating season begins. By booking your annual service, you can keep your combustion clean and venting safe.

Can I clean my gas fireplace myself? 

There are maintenance tasks you can handle yourself, but certain tasks should only be handled by professionals. You can safely test your ignition, dust the exterior of the fireplace, and check your home’s detectors. Anything involving venting, burners, or gas should be handled by a technician.

Why is my gas fireplace flame yellow instead of blue? 

If you notice a persistently yellow flame, it is likely due to incomplete combustion. When this occurs, the fireplace can produce additional soot and carbon monoxide. Because of the risks involved, you should immediately stop using the unit and schedule professional service.

Why won’t my gas fireplace light after the summer? 

A gas fireplace not lighting may be due to a problem with the pilot light or electronic ignition system. After months of sitting idle, the unit could also be dealing with a dusty igniter or a faulty component. No matter what the cause, the safest option is to call our technicians for a diagnostic appointment.

Do I need a carbon monoxide detector if I have a gas fireplace? 

Yes. Any gas-burning fireplace can produce carbon monoxide if something isn’t working right, so you need a functional CO detector to keep your family safe.

Prepare Your Fireplace for Cooler Weather

Are you preparing your fireplace for fall? Balance Point offers pre-season gas fireplace maintenance and inspections with upfront pricing in Fort Collins and Loveland. With our convenient financing and membership options, you can easily get support with all of your maintenance and repair needs.

Our team will check over your fireplace, explain any issues we find clearly, and help you enjoy a safe, comfortable first fire of the season.

Schedule your fireplace inspection by calling us at 970-345-3361.