Gas fireplaces are a go-to choice for many homeowners and businesses thanks to their straightforward installation and user-friendly nature when compared to wood or pellet burners. Although they demand less upkeep compared to other fireplace types, it’s vital to clean them at least once or twice a year to ensure they function efficiently and safely.
Whether you’re conducting a mid-season inspection or gearing up for the colder months, here are some pointers to remember:
IMPORTANT: Before firing up your fireplace, make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly!
Begin your inspection by looking for any of the following signs:
- Wet spots on either side of the walls
- Peeling paint
- Ceiling stains near the chimney
- Whitish stains on the chimney’s exterior
- Worn out mortar joints
- Decaying bricks
If any of these issues are manifesting, get in touch with a qualified gas technician before using your fireplace.
Gather these supplies:
- Owner’s Manual, hand vacuum
- Soft bristle brush
- Glass cleaner
- Soft cloth
- Mineral wool, cheesecloth
Steps:
- Start by turning off the gas supply to your fireplace and allow it to cool down for a couple of hours. Leaving the gas on could lead to hazardous gas leaks.
- Once the gas is off, open up the glass front and louvers, referring to your owner’s manual for the correct way to do this.
- Examine the burner and control area, using your vacuum to eliminate any spider webs, dirt or debris. A surprising amount of stove and fireplace issues are caused by spiders taking up residence in the burner areas and clogging the orifices!
- Take out the logs and/or media, placing them on an old sheet or cloth. Remove and set aside any mineral wool. Snap a few pictures so you remember how the logs are arranged.
- Gently brush off any dirt or debris from the logs using a soft bristle brush, being careful not to damage them. These are made of ceramic and are very fragile (and expensive!). If your fireplace or stove is of a certain age, replacement ceramic logs may not even be available, and they are usually considered an essential part of the fireplace, since they also help generate radiant heat after being heated by the gas burner.
- Vacuum any remaining media, apart from mineral wool, to clean off any loose dirt or grime. If the media is smaller than your vacuum’s nozzle, attach a cheesecloth over the nozzle using a rubber band. Replace the mineral wool if it’s deteriorating. This can be bought in bulk for cheap.
- Utilize the soft bristle brush and vacuum to clean away any soot accumulation around the heat exchanger vents.
- Clear away any spider webs, dust bunnies, or other debris from the firebox interior with your vacuum.
- Dampen a cloth with warm water to clean the fireplace exterior. Wipe down the framework, rinsing the cloth frequently to remove soot or dirt. Water should suffice for regular cleaning regardless of the surrounding material (e.g., marble, brass, gold, stone, etc). If soot has accumulated, use a specialized cleaner for the material. For gold and brass trim, mild soapy water or glass cleaner will do.
- Place the logs and/or media back to their original spots, consulting your owner’s manual for precise placement.
- Apply gas fireplace glass cleaner onto a dry, soft cloth, starting with the outer glass then moving to the inner glass. Allow the glass to dry thoroughly before using the fireplace. If you ignore this step, the glass could break due to thermal expansion upon heating.
- Seal the glass cover and re-fix the louvers.
You’re done!
You’ve successfully maintained your gas fireplace for another six months. Remember, it’s easier and cheaper to maintain something that already looks and functions well than to repair something that has broken or deteriorated due to negligence. Happy heating!
