Is Your Fireplace Ready for Winter?
Getting Your Gas Fireplace Ready for Winter: A Fall Checklist
Before your gas fireplace becomes the most-used thing in the house, spend twenty minutes on these checks. Most take no tools at all, and they'll tell you whether you're ready or need to book a service.
What you can check yourself
- Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. Press the test button and check the expiry date on the back. Ontario requires a CO alarm outside every sleeping area in homes with a fuel-burning appliance.
- Replace the batteries in your fireplace remote and the receiver (often found behind the lower grille or in a wall plate).
- Clear the area around the fireplace. Move decorations, furniture, blankets and anything stored on the hearth. Check your manual for required clearances to the mantel and surroundings.
- Look at the glass. Cloudy film on the inside, or any chips and cracks, are signs it's due for service. Never run a fireplace with cracked glass.
- Check the outside vent. Walk outside and look at the vent cap. Make sure it's not blocked by leaves, snow, plants, nests or anything stored against the wall.
- Dust the grilles and louvres with a vacuum brush attachment while the fireplace is off and cool.
The first burn of the season
Run the fireplace for a while and pay attention to it:
- Ignition: it should light smoothly and quietly. A loud whoosh, pop or delay before lighting needs to be checked.
- Flame: look for a steady flame with blue at the base and natural-looking yellow tips. Tall, lazy, dark orange or sooty flames point to a problem.
- Smell: a dusty burning smell for the first few hours is normal. A rotten egg smell is not. Turn it off, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
- Sound: the blower fan should hum, not grind or rattle.
- Staying on: it should run until you turn it off. Shutting itself off after a few minutes is a common sign of a pilot or sensor problem.
What to leave to a licensed technician
Anything inside the firebox beyond cleaning the glass, plus the pilot, burner, gas valve, connections and venting, should be handled by a licensed gas technician. An annual service covers all of it: cleaning the glass, burner, logs and pilot, setting the logs correctly, testing the safety controls, checking for leaks at the appliance and inspecting the venting.
Book early
Fall is the busiest time of year for fireplace service. The first cold week always brings a rush of calls from homeowners whose fireplace won't light. Booking in September or early October means you choose the date instead of waiting through a cold spell.
Frequently asked questions
When should I service my gas fireplace?
Once a year. Early fall is ideal so it's ready before winter, though spring service is also a good option and easier to schedule.
Is a burning smell normal the first time I use my fireplace in the fall?
Yes. Dust that settled over the summer burns off during the first few hours of use. A rotten egg smell is not normal and needs immediate attention.
Do I need to turn off my pilot light in the summer?
It depends on your fireplace and your preference. Many modern units have intermittent pilots that turn off automatically. Check your manual, or ask your technician during your service.