Do Gas Fireplaces Need to Be Cleaned – Things You Should Know

With summer coming to an end and cooler days in the forecast, many fireplace owners have started to think about the cool autumn nights that are just around the corner. Now is the time of the year when you have to ensure that your fireplace is ready to provide warmth in winter! 

One of the best ways to prepare for winter and to enjoy fireplace season is to have your fireplace clean and ready for use. Basic chimney and fireplace maintenance and cleanliness are essential to the safe and enjoyable operation of your fireplace. 

As an established chimney, fireplace cleaning, and maintenance service provider, we have put together this guide to answer questions like; do gas fireplaces need to be cleaned, how to clean a gas fireplace, how often should you do it, and a few experts’ ways to clean out the fireplace for winters. Let’s find out the answers to these queries. 

Should You Clean a Gas Fireplace?

Gas fireplaces don’t produce creosote, but they still need to be cleaned annually. Both propane and natural gas fireplaces are clean-burning gas fuels, so they don’t produce the same by-products as wood, but they do produce deposits that need to be removed. 

But what you as a homeowner need to remember is that fireplace cleaning and inspection is not just for the removal of by-products. It also applies to other potentially problematic deposits. And if cleaning is not the solution, then you may need to look for the installation of a gas fireplace insert which is more of a more reliable solution. 

Looking for a reliable fireplace cleaning and maintenance service? 

Complete chimney has got you fully covered as our chimney and fireplace experts know how to keep it clean for a longer time. 

Call us now at 410-544-7600 or schedule the appointment now! 

Gas fireplace chimney sweeps help remove objects such as bird nests, animals, and debris that may have become trapped, and have created troubling conditions for the fireplace vents. In addition, chimney sweeps are often an inspection to identify potential problems early in the cleaning process. 

If you have leaks or vents that won’t open and close, it’s often much recommended to fix these potential problems early if you catch them than if you discover them years later. 

Gas fireplaces often don’t need as much cleaning as wood fireplaces, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need natural gas fireplace cleaning at all. They are prone to other chimney problems, so it is imperative that they be cleaned and inspected annually.

Since nowadays, people prefer to install a gas fireplace insert because of its cool and aesthetic appearance, it is highly recommended to get it done from professionals. This way, you could enjoy winter without any worries. 

Does Your Gas Fireplace Need Cleaning?

A question may pop up in your mind: Do you need to clean a gas fireplace? 

Yes, gas fireplaces require regular cleaning. It will help keep your fireplace running efficiently and safely for years to come. For best results, be sure to get your fireplace cleaned annually. Clogging, poor ventilation, absence of regular cleaning, and gas burner issues, are a few reasons why you may need gas fireplace cleaning. 

Why You Need to Have Your Fireplace Professionally Cleaned

We recommend having your fireplace inspected by a professional once a year. As with any engineering process, a skilled eye can catch problems early and fix any problems found during the inspection. 

However, if the issues persist and you find any bad smell or improper functioning of your old fireplace, we will recommend you to install a new natural gas fireplace insert.

Here are some of the most important areas of a fireplace that are checked by a professional cleaner. Once they are all maintained and cleaned, they can help you have a smooth winter for sure. 

• Glass Assembling & Cleaning

Fireplace inspectors check the glass for scratches that could cause the glass to weaken or break during the heating or cooling cycles. Also, check the gas opening to make sure no burning material remains in the firebox.

• Inside & Outside the Firebox

Fireplace technicians inspect the inside of the firebox for signs of wear, such as rust and soot buildup.

For the exterior of a gas fireplace, proper inspection and cleaning of the chimney base and valve cavity area will help eliminate unpleasant odors that occur when the fireplace is first used after an extended period of inactivity.

A full inspection ensures exterior vents are free of debris such as leaves and animal nests. The inspector may need access to your roof if the chimney is there.

• Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarms are essential in every home, but even more important in homes with chimneys. A gas fireplace should be cleaned and tested to work properly so there stays no hazardous fumes in the house.

• Burner Ignition

A gas fireplace burner must ignite quickly and completely. Ignition failure can be caused by many factors, but proper inspection can help diagnose them. A fireplace inspection team will help you in this regard and ensure the safety of your home. 

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Gas Fireplace?

There are a few things that can happen if your gas fireplace isn’t cleaned at least once a year. 

• If you don’t clean your gas fireplace, certain components, such as the blower, can malfunction and cause more damage, which can result in higher repair costs.
• Your fireplace will stop working, which will cost you a lot of money to repair.  Proper maintenance will help your gas fireplace last longer.
• Burners can become clogged with dirt
• If the burners will not work, your gas fireplace will not function properly. This can happen when too much dirt such as dust or ash builds up.
• When a burner fails, more than simple cleaning happens. If it’s bad enough, you may need to replace it with a new one. 

How Often Fireplaces Should Be Cleaned

Gas fireplaces, like wood-burning fireplaces, should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Gas fireplaces can have many mechanical problems, including debris buildup in the firebox and chimney. It’s usually a good idea to have your chimney inspected and cleaned at this time of year when winter is just kicking in.

While there’s always a solid rule to wait a bit before things become a problem, there are some guidelines to follow when it comes to gas fireplaces.

A good tip is to put it on your calendar now. Gas fireplaces should be cleaned at least once a year. This is especially true for chimneys, which should be inspected at the same time. No soot or creosote to worry about, but you can find bird nests and other debris inside the chimneys which may affect the working of the fireplace. 

Schedule An Appointment With Chimney & Fireplace Experts In Pasadena, MD

Since winter is knocking on the door, it is highly recommended to check that your chimneys and fireplaces are working properly. However, if you find any strange smell in your house, or notice improper functioning of your gas fireplace, do get it checked by the nearest fireplace experts. If you reside near Maryland then you may go with the fireplace cleaning service of Complete Chimney. Moreover, you can call us at 410-544-7600 or schedule the appointment now!