You have found your dream fireplace. You chose a gas fireplace and a CSIA certified chimney sweep to bring it together, bring it in, and set it up. A gas fireplace is low maintenance, but it cannot be confused with no maintenance! In order to get the most out of your fireplace this holiday season you should remember to schedule important preventative maintenance appointments such as chimney sweeps and inspections to insure your system is operating at its safest and most efficient.
There are other factors to consider while using your gas fireplace this season to get the most out of your holiday fireplace.
Remember Fire Safety
Your gas fireplace is still an open flame. Although it is contained within a fireplace and may have a glass door, the radiant heat can still be extreme and can cause injury. You should always assume that when the fireplace is lit that all parts of the fireplace are hot and should not be touched. It’s best to practice fire safety habits at all times and make sure they’re understood by house guests visiting for the holidays.
Smelling Gas
If you or your house guests smell gas check the valve on your gas fireplace. If the smell persists you should find the gas shut-off that brings gas to the fireplace. The valve is usually on the wall or near the floor. Follow your instincts. Guests who come for the holidays and aren’t familiar with your gas fireplace may think they smell a gas leak when they’re actually just smelling a gas fireplace.
Read The Manual
If you haven’t already, you should read the User Guide that came with your gas fireplace when it was installed. This booklet will give you all of the information for care and maintenance of your appliance. This is the best way to insure a properly working fireplace this season. The manual is also useful for troubleshooting.
Pay Attention Between Maintenance Appointments
There are many signs that can indicate an issue with your gas fireplace. Damp patches, peeling wallpaper, blistered paint, stains on the ceiling, white stains on the masonry, eroded mortar joints, and crumbling bricks are all signs of condensation in the chimney system. If you’re experiencing something like this in your home you may have an incomplete combustion problem. Call a certified chimney sweep to have your system checked by the experts. It may be an easy fix.
You can have the holiday fireplace of your dreams, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about it this season. Remember to maintain your gas fireplace during the holidays so everyone can enjoy its beauty and warmth.