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There are two primary ways to use gas in a fireplace:
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You can have a wood-burning fireplace that has an aftermarket set of gas logs in it. This is the most common application.
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You can have a Gas Burning Fireplace Appliance. These fireplaces are normally distinguished by an electrical switch used to turn them on and off.
We service #2 - Gas Fireplace Appliances.
Gas Fireplace Appliances have been a staple of the homebuilding industry for several years now.
They should be serviced annually to prevent possible life threatening problems.
Service is difficult because many of the fireplace manufactures are no longer in business, so parts are often scarce or unobtainable.
Local fireplace distributors are not interested in servicing something they didn't sell or install, so we service what they don't.
Before calling for service check to see if you have an instruction manual or a instruction sheet. Your manual will be with your household papers but if you can't find it, the instruction sheet should be permanently attached to the gas valve.
The gas valve is usually found under the floor of the fireplace and is accessed by a door, usually louvered.
Before calling for service, here are some troubleshooting tips to try:
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Open the access panel and find the plate or label listing the operating instructions, follow the instructions to light the fireplace pilot. If it won't light check that your gas is on to the fireplace and that you are holding the pilot knob down long enough to get the thermopile hot, perhaps 1 1/2 minutes.
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Once the pilot is lit, make sure the knob is turned into the "ON" position. You should now be able to turn the main burner on by the switch.
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If it won't light by the switch, the switch connections are probably corroded. Try turning the switch ON and OFF about 30 to 40 times in quick succession. This is often the only problem and the fireplace will operate. If not, it needs service.
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Some special precaustions to be concerned about: the fireplace should not have rust - If it does call us; you cannot change the logs to an aftermarket set - if the logs were not in the fireplace when it was safety tested, they are not approved and could be a fire hazard; you MUST have a Carbon Monoxide Dectector - No Exceptions and preferably one that alerts a low levels of CO; if the fireplace is designed to have gaskets on the glass and it is missing or in poor condition it has to be replaced before operating the fireplace; after burning for a few minutes the flames should have yellow tips and a blue base that ignites as they exit the main burner- they should not be transparent, wandering, floating, all yellow, all blue, producing soot, or "booming" when they ignite.
There are no parts inside the fireplace that are serviceable by the homeowner. Some of the switches use low voltage electricity and some use 120-volts of electricity, so unless you know which your fireplace uses, it will be best to call a service technician.
Our rate to diagnose the failure of a fireplace is $119. This covers the trip charge and 1/2-hour in the home. We are usually able to get a fireplace up and running in this time but if not, we will make you aware of what will be required to get your fireplace operating again along with the repair price.
If you have any questions about the operation or safety of your fireplace, don't hesitate to call us at 817-329-0334, we want you and your family as customers for a long, long time!
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