Gas fireplaces are more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces because they produce less smoke and are easy to use. If you’re wondering does your gas fireplace need chimney cleaning, the answer is yes, gas fireplaces should be cleaned by a chimney sweep service annually.
Why Does A Gas Fireplace Chimney Require Cleaning?
It’s a fair question to ask because gas fireplaces don’t need wood and burning wood causes soot and creosote buildup in chimneys. These substances keep accumulating, sticking to the chimney walls or flue liner. If they are not cleaned, they can catch fire leading to damage.
In the case of gas fireplaces, flames produced through natural gas produce far less smoke and the buildup of creosote is also almost non-existent.
Moreover, gas fireplaces are low maintenance because you don’t need to deal with cleaning ash, half-burned wood logs, and other daily activities that wood-burning fireplaces need. However, owning a gas fireplace doesn’t give the owner a free pass. Gas fireplaces are low maintenance, but they require cleaning because of these reasons:
Nests Of Birds And Animals
Birds and animals looking for shelter in winter can take refuge in your chimney. When they make their nests and start residing in them, the chimney becomes partly or completely blocked. Smoke and carbon monoxide don’t get any way out so they can enter your room.
Keep in mind carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. Prolonged exposure to it can cause health issues and can also be fatal.
Cleaning your gas fireplace and chimney will get rid of the blockages caused by birds and animals, keeping the chimney free of obstructions and keeping your family safe.
Debris And Leaves
Leaves and debris can find their way into your chimney and cause blockages. This will also cause the same problem of carbon monoxide entering the indoors due to a blocked chimney.
Soot Buildup
Gas fireplaces produce a minimum amount of soot that is not problematic for homeowners. However, you should clean the chimney once a year to get rid of soot buildup.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the white spots on chimneys. The white spots are due to moisture in the masonry. The moisture could be because of leaks or any other reason, so your chimney should be inspected for determining the cause of the moisture problem so it can be fixed.
Damage Or Cracks In The Flue Liner
A flue liner is an added layer of metal or clay in the chimney that is made to withstand high temperatures and other things. It protects the walls of the chimney from corrosion and overheating. Moreover, it allows optimal airflow within the chimney.
As a flue liner is vital for your chimney, damages or cracks in it can lead to different types of problems. Toxic gases can enter your home and cause health issues. Whether you have a chimney problem or not, if you’re using a gas, propane, or wood fireplace, you should install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to keep your family safe.
A chimney expert will examine your chimney before cleaning and if they detect that the flue liner is cracked or damaged, they will suggest a repair or replacement.
Cleaning The Ceramic Logs
Gas fireplace has ceramic logs that appear as real wood logs. You don’t need to clean it daily, but it requires cleaning at least once a year. During the process, the expert will use a special vacuum and brush to clean the logs.
Clogged Gas Burner
With use, gas burners can become clogged with dust and debris. It can result in poor burner performance and efficiency.
It’s important to note that chimney inspection and cleaning are necessary even if you didn’t use the chimney last year or for many years. Unused chimneys can become blocked due to dust, debris, and nests of animals and birds, so whether they are gas or propane fireplaces, you should have them cleaned before starting their use.
Conclusion
Gas chimneys and fireplaces require inspection and cleaning similar to wood-burning fireplaces. If you ignore this aspect, it can lead to chimney fires or carbon monoxide leakage. You can clean your chimney yourself, but it’s not suggested because a homeowner can miss out on signs of chimney damage. Therefore, consult chimney contractors Upper Marlboro for the inspection and sweeping of your chimney.
