Gas burns cleaner than wood, but burners clog, pilots drift and vents block. What annual service covers and the warning signs in between.
The most common call we get about gas fireplaces is a pilot that will not stay lit on the first cold night of the year. Almost all of them would have been prevented by an off-season tune-up.
What annual service covers
- Gas log and burner port cleaning
- Pilot assembly, thermocouple and thermopile testing
- Valve and control operation check
- Glass, gasket and blower cleaning
- Vent and termination inspection for blockages
- Gas leak and carbon monoxide check
Warning signs between services
- The pilot will not stay lit — usually a dirty or failing thermocouple
- Soot building on the glass or logs — incorrect log placement or air mixture
- A gas smell when the unit runs — stop using it and call immediately
- Weak, uneven or lazy yellow flames
- Logs placed differently after a cleaning, which can cause sooting
Direct-vent units still vent
Direct-vent and B-vent fireplaces run a termination through the wall or roof that can be blocked by nests, snow or siding work. A blocked termination on a gas appliance is a carbon monoxide problem, not an inconvenience. Keep working CO detectors on every level of the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a gas fireplace be serviced?
Once a year, ideally before heating season, even though gas burns much cleaner than wood.
Why is my gas fireplace glass black?
Sooting usually means log placement, air shutter setting or burner ports are off. It should be corrected — it also indicates incomplete combustion.
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