Did you feel it? That cool, brisk, chill that inevitably makes its way full-circle every year and it is back again to deliver this year’s frosty pounding. Some may use gas log fireplaces to accentuate an area or to breathe life into their outdoor decks and patios. The struggle comes with seasonal changes. When putting your gas fireplace up for the season, there are steps to take to make sure it will properly work, the next time you drag it out. Most of us here use our outdoor fireplaces during the spring and summer, before retiring it for the harsh winter months. When storing your outdoor gas fireplace for the winter, then we have a few tips on winterizing your gas log fireplace.
Quick Check for Specks
This is a pretty simple step and does require you to get down in there. Make sure you are clearing pests, debris, leaves, and other rubble, such as dirt and other trash. It may seem weird that dirty and foreign objects can get down into your gas fireplace system. Believe it or not, there have been cases where even lose brick mortar has made its way into the lines, causing a blockage that leads to flames improperly burning or not igniting at all. Clear the lines, and the pit to avoid mishaps from unseen debris.
Shutting Down the Lines
Once you have cleared excess dirt and rubble, it is time to kill the lines. Turn off the gas regulator, generally located at the bottom of a fire pit or under the set up on gas log fireplaces. This comes in handy as it can be unsafe to have stored gas readily available when it is not in use. No to mention it also helps section off places where dirt can travel.
Storing You Fireplace’s Accessories
If you have the pleasure of owning an outdoor fireplace, then the luxurious appeal and feel it has is known, and yes gas log fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, and other gas fireplaces have their own belongings. It may not be a coat and hat like our accessories, but the occasional set of pokers and brushes that are common with traditional chimney fireplaces can also find great use for your gas fireplace. With outdoor gas fire pits, pokers are used to reposition fire rocks or glass beads used in outdoor gas fire pits. While not common, the brush accessories can be used when removing unwanted dirt and debris from the fire pit.
Fiery and Rocky Décor
Either you own one or want to own one, outdoor gas fire pits that use fire crystals or lava rocks to accent the atmosphere can be breathtaking. Transforming an ordinary backyard into a romantic getaway. Well, if you are winterizing one of these, you will want to bag up those crystals and rocks because it will make the Springtime revival that much easier.
It is Bare Now What?
Now that we have full access to our gas fireplace or fire pit, we will need to give this thing a good wipe down, right? Well, you will need to gather everything you will need to clean your ventless gas fireplace or vented gas fireplace. Some wait to give a gas fireplace tuneup when they are pulling it out fresh for the year, which is recommended as a minimum requirement to service a gas fireplace. Then there are those who will perform a gas log fireplace tuneup before and after storing. We have removed the big stuff, shut off the smelly stuff, and have taken out the pretty stuff. What’s left now?
For ventless gas fireplaces, it is time to vacuum out any remaining dirt, dust, or other particles before proceeding with the wipe down. Once logs have been carefully removed, you can then proceed by wiping down the outside using dish liquid, window cleaner, and nonabrasive clothes and brushes to thorough clean corners and hard to reach places.
Should You Shut Down Your Gas Fireplace for Winter?
This last portion is an opinionated section. While we know most of us will only use our outdoor fireplaces when the weather is good, there are still some that enjoy using their outdoor patio fire pits year round. Whether you are a seasonal user or a year-rounder, there are steps that need to be taken to service a gas fireplace and sometimes it may not be a simple fix and a gas fireplace service repair call will need to be made to protect your investment. Stay on top of maintenance, and when there’s an issue, there is always an answer, just ask the fireplace experts at NorthCo Fire. It is their business to know your gas-powered fireplace or fire pit.