Having Problems with Your Gas Fireplace?

Problems with Your Gas FireplaceAre you having problems with your gas fireplace? With these tips from Chimney Sweeps of America in Denver, Colorado you may be able to figure it out yourself. Of course, always take care when working with your gas fireplace. Improper handling could result in injury to your person or damage to your home. If there is ever a strong smell of gas and you can’t quickly figure it out, we recommend calling a professional immediately. Safety first!

Let’s get to it! If you’re having problems with your gas fireplace, here’s a few things you can try based on the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Pilot Light

This is a simple one and should always be the first thing you check if your gas fireplace won’t turn on. For the fireplace to ignite, it needs an ignition source which the pilot light provides by always having a tiny flame going. It’s a small flame, though, and can get blown out by accident.

Check inside to determine if you can see the flame going. If it’s not there, simply relight it with a match or lighter and you should be good to go. If the flame goes out again, that’s an indication of a deeper issue, and you may need to call an expert to investigate.

Thermocouple

There is a small metal rod called the thermocouple that connects the pilot light to the gas valve. It has two functions, to sense the temperature and also to provide electricity when needed for igniting the gas. It’s a tiny part of the fireplace but provides essential functions.

Unfortunately, all it takes is for the thermocouple to be a touch out of place, a little unstable, or a bit dirty to not work correctly. If you’re having problems with your gas fireplace and it turns out to be the thermocouple, check it’s positioning and examine the wiring and tubing. If you this still doesn’t correct the problem or anything seems significantly amiss, call for gas fireplace repairs.

Thermopile

A thermopile is also a sensor that generates electricity. It basically performs the same function as the thermocouple, just in more recently built gas fireplaces. If you have a burner that is slow to start or won’t come on at all, it could be an issue with the wiring surrounding the thermopile. The thermopile has a generator function that you can use to see if there is enough energy being provided. This can help you determine if a loose wire or something similar is the problem.

It can be pretty complicated to fix or replace a thermopile, so instead of attempting to deal with this issue, it might be best to call in gas fireplace professionals for help.

These are not the only things that could be wrong if you’re having problems with your gas fireplace. Just the most common issues. If you didn’t find any help in this troubleshooting guide, contact us here at Chimney Sweeps of America. One of our experts will be happy to come out, then diagnose and fix the problem for you. This is much safer as more complex troubleshooting can be dangerous when working with gas fireplaces.

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