Fireplace Maintenance

4 Maintaining and Servicing Your Fireplace

Although the frequency of your fireplace servicing and main- tenance will depend on use and the type of installation, you should have a qualified service technician perform an appli- ance check-up at the beginning of each heating season. See the table below for specific guidelines regarding each fireplace maintenance task.

IMPORTANT: TURN OFF THE GAS BEFORE SERVICING YOUR FIREPLACE.

Replacing old ember material

Frequency: Once annually, during the checkup.

By: Qualified service technician.

Task: Brush away loose ember material near the burner. Replace old ember material with new dime-size and shape pieces of Golden Ember (GE-93) and Glowing Ember (050- 721). New ember material should be placed alternately on top of the burner - a layer of Golden Ember, a layer of Glowing Ember, and so on. Save the remaining ember material and repeat this procedure at your next servicing. For more information, see Placing Ember Material.

Cleaning Burner and Controls

Frequency: Once annually.

By: Qualified service technician.

Task: Brush or vacuum the control compartment, fireplace logs and burner areas surrounding the logs.

Cleaning Flame Sensor Rod (IPI Systems)

Frequency: Annually.

By: Qualified service technician.

Task: Make a visual check of the straight flame sensor rod (see Figure 33). Use emery cloth to carefully remove any existing film or white deposits.

Checking Flame Patterns, Flame Height

Frequency: Periodically.

By: Qualified service technician/Home owner.

Task: Make a visual check of your fireplace’s flame patterns. Make sure the flames are steady - not lifting or floating. See Figure 17. The flame sensor (DSI) or thermopile/ thermocouple (standing pilot) tips should be covered with flame. See Figure 8.

MAKE SURE THE FLAMES ARE STEADY—NOT LIFTING OR FLOATING.

Figure 17.

Burner Flame Patterns

Checking Vent System

Frequency: Before initial use and at least annually thereafter, more frequently if possible.

By: Qualified service technician/Home owner.

Task: Inspect the external vent cap on a regular basis to ensure that no debris is interfering with the flow of air. Inspect entire vent system for proper function.

Cleaning Glass Door

Frequency: After the first 3 to 4 hours of use. As neces- sary after initial cleaning.

By: Home owner.

Task: Remove and clean glass after the first 3 to 4 hours of use. After the initial cleaning, clean as necessary, particu- larly after adding new ember (flame colorant) material. Film deposits on the inside of the glass door should be cleaned off using a household glass cleaner. NOTE: DO NOT handle

or attempt to clean the door when it is hot and DO NOT use abrasive cleaners.