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4
Maintaining and Servicing Your Fireplace
Fireplace Maintenance
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 ap-
pliance 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 SERVIC-
ING 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:
Periodically.
By:
Qualified service technician.
Task:
Make a visual check of the straight flame sensor
rod. 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 37. The flame sensor (IPI) or
thermopile/thermocouple (standing pilot) tips should be
covered with flame. See Figure 23.
Figure 37. Burner Flame Patterns
MAKE SURE THE FLAMES
ARE STEADY—NOT
LIFTING OR FLOATING.
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, par-
ticularly 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.