5 tips on how to maintain your gas fireplace

16th June 2022

When’s the last time you cleaned your gas fire? Cleaning and maintaining your gas fire is essential. It will help ensure it works efficiently, keeps your family safe and prolongs the life of your appliance.

Here we’ll share our top 5 tips on how to maintain your gas fireplace, along with why it’s so important to book an annual gas fire service.

How to maintain your gas fire

1. Clean the glass on your gas fire

Cleaning the glass on your gas fireplace is relatively easy and will make a world of difference to how your fire looks.

Most domestic gas fires have removable doors for easy cleaning. We’d suggest referring to the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to remove the glass panel from the door safely.

Once removed, place it on a dust sheet or an old piece of newspaper. You can clean the glass using a window or glass cleaner from the supermarket. Alternatively, you can make your own by combining white vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle with water.

Spray a small amount onto the glass and wipe gently (but firmly) with a microfibre cleaning cloth. Next, grab some kitchen towels to dry the glass to prevent streaking.

We’d recommend waiting at least half an hour for the glass to air dry before re-inserting it into your fireplace door. This will ensure the window cleaner has evaporated before coming into contact with flames.

2. Clean the inside of your gas fire

Internal gas fire cleaning is essential to prolonging the life of your appliance. Most heating engineers will include cleaning as part of an annual gas fire service. However, we advise that you clean the internals of your gas fire more frequently.

Before you start cleaning, make sure your appliance is completely switched off and cooled.

Give it a good wipe to remove dirt, cobwebs and any other debris. You could also use the wand attachment on your vacuum – just take care not to suck up any lava rocks or small pieces of coal!

Before removing the logs or coal, remember to take a picture of them. This will help you reposition them later. Putting them back in the wrong place can prevent some domestic gas fires from working.

3. Clean and replace coal/logs

Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions to check that it is safe to remove and clean the coals or logs in your fireplace. If it’s safe to remove the logs or coals, take them outside and brush any soot and debris off using a small, soft-bristled brush.

Avoid wiping, dampening or spraying anything onto the coal or logs. It can discolour them, damage their finish and prevent them from working effectively.

If you notice any rust spots or cracks in your logs or coals, do not continue to use your gas fire. Instead, get in touch with a gas fire maintenance company, or a Gas Safe registered heating engineer to find out about replacements.

16th June 2022

4. Check detectors and replace batteries

As part of a gas fire safety check, you’ll need to test your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. This should be carried out regularly to increase the safety of those living in your property. We’d also recommend replacing the batteries twice yearly.

While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to check and replace the batteries in your gas fireplace remote if necessary too. Having a working remote is beneficial if you ever need to turn your gas fireplace off quickly.

5. Book an annual boiler service / annual gas fire service

Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your gas fire, it’s still important to book in an annual gas fire service. Some companies may offer this as part of a yearly boiler service. Ask the question to find out for sure!

Having an annual gas safety check, as part of a boiler or gas fire service will help catch any problems early. It can also help to keep your family safe and minimise the cost of gas fire repairs – all very good reasons to get it done.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that some gas fire manufacturer warranties will only remain valid if you commit to an annual gas fire service.

Booking a gas fire service

An annual boiler service that includes a gas fire service can be done at any time of year. However, we’d suggest booking one in the spring or summer, when heating engineers have less work on. You never know, you may be able to catch yourself a discount.

Be sure that the heating engineer you use is registered with Gas Safe. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally and safely carry out these inspections. Search for ‘gas fire service near me’ and check companies/engineers on the online Gas Safe register.

How much does a gas fire service cost?

Good question! It varies depending on the type of gas fire you have, whether you also need a boiler service, where you are located and the size of the company you hire.

As a guide, an annual gas fire service (alone) should cost between £45-£60. However, you should expect to pay more than this if you need an annual boiler service too. Shop around for quotes and check reviews to make sure you hire an experienced engineer.

Save money on gas fire maintenance with home cover

One way you can potentially save money on gas fire maintenance, and gas fire servicing is with home cover. Some policies will include this as standard.

If you’re looking to save on the cost of your annual boiler service, while gaining comprehensive cover for your appliances and wider heating system, get in touch with Hometree. We offer several packages for homeowners and landlords to help keep the cost of repairs, maintenance, and services to a minimum.

Noticed something wrong with your gas fire?

If you:

• Notice soot building up on your appliance, logs or glass
• See a white film appear on the glass
• Struggle to get your fireplace to light
• Notice your fireplace is turning on and off itself
• Can’t get the pilot flame to light or stay lit

There could be a problem with your gas fire. Do not wait for your next annual boiler service or gas fire service. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer ASAP, or your cover provider to seek expert help.