Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

How to Operate Your Gas Logs

Gas fireplaces, whether they use propane or natural gas, are continuing to become more and more popular. With their low cost to operate, ease of use, and attractive styles, gas fireplaces can make the perfect addition to any home.

Whether you’ve had a gas log for a number of years or just had a unit installed, learning how to operate it properly is an important part of fireplace ownership. In addition to ensuring that your unit is operating with maximum efficiency, learning how to correctly operate your gas log can also make sure your family stays safe when the fireplace is in use.

Tips for operating your gas log

Below are some tips on how to operate your gas logs.

• Read the manual. This sounds simple, but it will give you the exact instructions you need for your particular unit. Because every gas log unit is different, it is important to learn about your specific set up. Oftentimes, the manual is the best – and most accessible – source of information. Reading the manual can help you better understand how to operate, clean, and maintain your gas log. If you do not have a manual, most manufacturers have them online or you can contact their customer service support.
• Master the remote control. Most gas log sets now come with remote controls. Much like a television remote, this allows homeowners to control their gas logs with the touch of a button from anywhere in the room. In addition to simply turning the fireplace on and off, many remotes offer more complex controls such as flame height, temperature, heating schedule, and blower speed. Lastly, if you have small children in the house, parental controls can be turned on to keep kids from turning the unit on without supervision.
• Regularly clean. Just like wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces still need to be regularly cleaned. After the fireplace has cooled completely, exterior glass and metal can be cleaned to remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints. Interior fireplace parts can be cleaned using a dry, soft cloth, clean soft-bristled paint brush, or vacuum.
• Don’t burn other materials. Gas log fireplaces are only designed to burn one thing – gas. Other materials – including paper, cardboard, and wood – should never be burned in a gas unit. Unlike a traditional wood burning fireplace, gas fireplace chimneys and venting systems are not designed to handle the soot and ash created by burning materials. Likewise, the debris created when burning these materials can clog or damage the gas log unit.
• Keep kids and pets away. The glass and metal on the exterior of a gas fireplace can become extremely hot when the fireplace is in use – and stay hot after the unit has been turned off. Because of this, small children and pets are at increased risk of being burned. While teaching fireplace safety is an important part of preventing burns, parents can also use additional safety measures such as protective barriers and baby gates to keep children and animals away.
• Call a chimney sweep. If your gas log seems to be burning less efficiently, is creating smoke, or is creating a lingering gas odor, it may be time to call a chimney sweep.

If you have questions about your gas logs or gas fireplace, contact us at the Clean Sweeps of Michigan and one of our experts can help you and are available for an evaluation of your gas logs if needed.

Keep Your Fireplace Well Maintained

The hearth and fireplace are often the focal points of our homes. Throughout the year, family and friends gather together around a roaring fire in order to spend time together and create memories that will last a lifetime. However, these special times can be cut short if your fireplace is not well maintained.

Proactive fireplace maintenance is the best way to ensure that your fireplace system remains safe to use for years to come. The following maintenance tips can help you keep your fireplace in the best condition possible – as well as help you determine when you need professional services.

Tips for fireplace maintenance

Just like brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities, conducting regular maintenance and upkeep at home can help keep your chimney and fireplace system in better condition. These three fireplace maintenance tips are great ways to help keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently in between professional chimney sweepings.

1. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Installing working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors make operating any fuel-burning appliance safer. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on each level of the home, as well as outside of sleeping areas. Test batteries every six months to ensure that alarms are still working; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced as needed or at least every 10 years in order to comply with modern safety standards.

2. Start a test fire

Before jumping in with your first fire of the season, burn a few pieces of test wood. Doing this can expose any drafting problems before you have a hearth full of wood – and a room covered in soot. Light several small pieces of seasoned firewood from the top down; smoke should draft vertically up the chimney. If soot or smoke blow back into your home, immediately begin troubleshooting; creosote buildup, debris in the chimney, or a partially closed damper can all lead to drafting problems.

3. Burn seasoned firewood

All wood is not created equal; burning the wrong kind of firewood can negatively impact fireplace efficiency and performance. Most fireplace professionals recommend burning seasoned hardwoods such as maple and oak. Seasoned firewood has been allowed to dry to remove excess moisture. This allows the wood to burn more efficiently, at a higher temperature, and create less creosote.

When to call a professional

While there are a number of ways homeowners can take care of their fireplace and chimney systems on their own, professional services are often needed in order to ensure your hearth is receiving the best quality care.

“Safety is the best reason to have a professional chimney sweep inspect, clean, and test any fireplace when you move into a home,” said Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America. “While it is possible for homeowners to clean and maintain their own fireplaces and chimneys, it’s unlikely that they possess the requisite knowledge or experience to spot all potential problems during an inspection.”

Whether its regular preventative maintenance such as a chimney sweeping and inspection or more specialized services such as masonry repairs or new fireplace installation, a certified chimney sweep can safely and correctly get the job done right – the first time.

No matter what condition your chimney is in, maintenance is an important part of helping it last for years to come. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule your fireplace maintenance services!