A fireplace can truly add a classic look and warmth to a house. However, maintaining the elegant look of a fireplace requires a bit of care and maintenance, of which cleaning is an important part. Gas fireplaces however, do not require much maintenance. Being a cost- and energy-efficient and safe alternative, its popularity has grown rapidly over its traditional counterpart, the wood burning fireplace. Usually, it's cleaned once in a year, ideally before or after the winter season.
Keeping Gas Fireplace Tidy
This task is not so difficult, as assumed by many. However, you need to maintain a little bit of precaution. As for example, always turn off the gas valve and electrical power and wait for your fireplace to cool down, before cleaning. Now, you have to remove the glass, logs and burner. Read carefully the manufacturer instructions for removing the various parts of the gas fireplace. For glass, spray a small amount of cleaner on it and then wipe with a soft cloth or towel. Do not use any kind of abrasive cleaner or cleaner with harsh chemicals to clean its glass.
To clean the outer body, you can use a damp cloth. The inside of the fireplace can be cleaned simply with a vacuum cleaner. You can use a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment to clean the insides. Never forget to take out the logs before vacuuming. The fireplace logs are very fragile, so be sure to take them out very gently, so as to not drop them. The logs can also be cleaned along with the other parts of the fireplace. However, for logs, always use a soft paint brush. Soft brushes can be safely used to remove any accumulated debris on the clogs.
If the logs have become too dirty with soot, then you may need some cleaners. But, again check with your manufacturer, if such cleaning products can be used safely. Occasionally, you can also observe soot on the glass door along with the fireplace logs. To clean them, use a good quality glass cleaner. After the logs and the glass door, it is the turn of the gas valve. The gas valve should be cleaned at least once in a year. You can use a soft cloth or towel to wipe and clean the gas valve.
The vents of the fireplace can also become dirty, mainly due to the accumulation of dry leaves, when the fireplace is not in use. Sometimes, this can also block the vents. So, while cleaning your gas fireplace, do not forget to check the vents and remove the debris, if they are clogged. You may not be able to clean them on your own, if they are badly clogged. In such a situation, you may need the help of a technician. Once, you have cleaned thoroughly, reassemble the parts and put them in their exact location. Again, refer to the manufacturer's instructions, which can help you a lot to reassemble every part of the gas fireplace correctly.
If maintained properly, it can add an elegant look to a room, without being messy like a wood burning fireplace. A clean and well-maintained gas fireplace can add warmth and appeal to your house. In essence, it can be an important investment for your home improvement. So take care of your gas fireplace and clean it at regular intervals, so that it can increase the aesthetic value of your home.
