How to safely light a gas fireplace

A gas fireplace is a great appliance to have in your home, but it’s important to exercise caution when using gas appliances. As important as staying warm is, the last thing you want is to cause damage to your home by starting a fire improperly. To prevent this, keep reading to learn how to safely light a gas fireplace.

Fireplace Preparation

The first step to safely light a gas fireplace is removing the decorative cover on the front for easy access. After you’ve done this, you can turn the gas on using the shut-off valve. Once your gas is on, you’ll want to remove the fixed glass assembly as this can cause gas to build up in your fireplace and create a safety hazard. This is primarily a problem when you’re having a hard time lighting your pilot light.

Igniting the Gas Fireplace

The ignition process depends on what type of gas fireplace you have in your home. Most homeowners will have a red or black push button which simply allows them to ignite the pilot light once the gas is turned on. This is called a piezoelectric spark mechanism. If you don’t have one of these buttons on your gas fireplace, you’ll have to light the pilot light manually. If you’re going to light your pilot light manually, you’ll want to consult the instructions included on the label on your furnace. These instructions will explain how to safely light your pilot light if you don’t have the means to automatically light it. In any case, you’ll want to turn the “Pilot,” “On” and “Off” switch to off and let your fireplace sit for a few minutes so the gas can dissipate into the air. You can then safely light your pilot light using a lighter designed for this purpose. Here are some things to note when lighting a gas fireplace:

• If you can’t get it to light manually after multiple tries, chances are there’s a problem that requires some furniture services from a technician.
• Don’t manually light your furnace until you’ve turned the gas off
• Make sure you use a long lighter to keep your hands away from the pilot light

Cleaning and inspection

t’s common knowledge to homeowners that wood-burning fireplaces require regular cleaning and inspections. After all, leftover residue dramatically increases the potential for fire hazards.  Many think that having a gas fireplace installed eliminates the need for having their chimneys cleaned every year.   The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that chimneys of all kinds should be cleaned every year.  The truth is that getting your chimney sweep is every bit as important for gas fireplaces. Here you can learn why you should always keep your gas fireplace clean. Areas like Vienna tends to get really cold during this time of the year, that is why it’s so important to understand how to safely light a gas fireplace. As long as you follow these tips and double-check everything before you take any major steps, you’ll have no problem keeping your family safe and cozy all winter long. if you are thinking about getting a gas fireplace for your home, click here to learn everything you need to know about gas fireplaces.  Please keep All Pro Chimney Service in mind for all of your chimney service needs.