How to fix a dead gas fireplace
I’m writing this email to you all in the hope that one of you will have a solution to my dead gas fireplace, or at the very least, can refer me to someone who’s job it is to know there things! This morning, the fireplace was burning merrily. Then it went out abruptly. Not knowing…
I’m writing this email to you all in the hope that one of you will have a solution to my dead gas fireplace, or at the very least, can refer me to someone who’s job it is to know there things! This morning, the fireplace was burning merrily. Then it went out abruptly. Not knowing the reason why, and wanting to take precautions, my fiance turned off the pilot light. I successfully re-lit it this evening, but the fireplace just wouldn’t come on. I don’t know if this translates into a blocked gas-line, or what. Any ideas? If not, who do you think is the best person to call for advice?
If it is the new type of remote control gas logs, with some of them the gas valve gets its power from a battery pack that holds 4-6 AA batteries. If the batteries go dead the gas will not light although sometimes there is just enough juice left to let the pilot stay lit. Look for a black plastic box behind the logs or on the left side that has wires coming from it and see if there are batteries inside.
on modern gas fireplaces, it is a flame sensor connected to the pilot assembly… they are piezoelectric connections, not thermocouples… the same as a stove…there are only 4 parts that can fail… the spill switch , the pilot assembly /flame sensor, the gas valve, or the gas/pilot ignition control…rarely is it the gas valve, so get a qualified technician to check it out…if you want a free consultation, email me at errol832000@yahoo.com
It could just be the thermocouple, that’s the part that the pilot heats to tell the burner that the pilot is on, no signal no gas. It’s a safety thing. On a water heater it’s usually an easy replacement, on a gas fireplace I don’t know but the manufacturer probably has info online
I had a similar situation and called my plumber. My logic was, he was the person who installed the gas for my dryer. As it turned out though, my chimney had major problems. I looked into relining and it was very expensive.
If you don’t get it sorted out there are some new flueless gas options.
is this a modern gas fireplace as opposed to the traditional park slope fireplace?.. if so, there is a “spill switch ” located on the upper side of the fireplace…it has a little red or black button that you have to push to reset it…however the fact that it tripped indicates a problem with the venting
Thanks for the advice, jp2 – much appreciated. We always do the push and turn knob thing, and the fire’s still not catching. Must be a problem elsewhere.
there are usually three settings on one of Im assuming two knobs, one knob controls gas flor volume high to low, the other shoul dhave three settings “off”, “pilot” and “on”. Once the pilot is lit then you have to turn that knob back to on which usually involves pushing it in and turning. I could be absilutely 100% wrong but if the pilot is on you likely have gas flowing but not to the unit.