A simple homeowner’s guide to safer starts, better heat, and fewer fireplace surprises this fall.

That first cold morning of fall always seems to happen the same way.

You wake up, the house is a little chilly, grab a cup of coffee and walk over to the fireplace.

You hit the remote.

Nothing.

So you hit it again.

Then harder.

Because apparently pressing the button with more authority is supposed to fix a fireplace.

Now everybody in the house is staring at it like the fireplace personally ruined fall.

The truth is, fireplaces tend to sit quietly all spring and summer collecting dust, debris, dead remote batteries and occasionally a few problems you didn’t know were developing.

Then October rolls around, temperatures drop, everybody turns their fireplace on at roughly the same time and the phone at the hearth shop starts sounding like somebody opened a call center inside a casino.

So before you need your fireplace, give it a little attention.

At Skyline Hearth & Fire, we provide fireplace sales, installation, maintenance, repair and complete fireplace remodeling throughout Roanoke and surrounding Southwest Virginia communities.

Here are nine things homeowners should check before fireplace season gets rolling.

1. Give the Fireplace a Good Visual Inspection

Before lighting anything, take a few minutes and actually look at the fireplace.

Sounds groundbreaking, I know.

But you'd be surprised how many problems can be spotted before anybody ever presses the ON button.'

Look for:

·       Excessive dust or debris

·       Broken or displaced logs

·       Cracked refractory panels

·       Rust or corrosion

·       Heavy soot

·       Damaged glass

·       Loose trim or screens

·       Debris around the burner

·       Anything that simply looks different than it did last season

Gas fireplaces generally shouldn't suddenly become soot factories.

If the glass, logs or firebox are becoming heavily blackened, there may be an issue with combustion, burner operation, log placement or another component that should be evaluated.

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For wood-burning fireplaces, inspect the visible firebox, damper and masonry for damage and make sure the chimney system is ready for the season.

Skyline also provides fireplace and chimney services for homeowners throughout the Roanoke region.

If something looks questionable before you add fire to it, adding fire probably isn't going to improve the situation.

Fire has many talents.

Home repair isn't generally one of them.

2. Change the Remote Batteries

Every fall:

“My fireplace won't work.”

“Okay. Did you change the batteries?”

“The remote lights up.”

That's great.

Change the batteries anyway.

Many gas fireplaces use batteries not only in the handheld remote but also in a receiver, control module or backup battery tray inside the fireplace.

Weak batteries can cause:

·       Intermittent operation

·       Poor remote communication

·       Delayed response

·       Ignition problems

·       A fireplace that appears completely dead

Before assuming the fireplace has suffered some catastrophic mechanical event during July, spend five minutes checking the batteries.

Sometimes the repair really is that boring.

3. Test the Pilot and Ignition System

Gas fireplaces may use a standing pilot or electronic ignition depending on the appliance.

Turn the fireplace on and pay attention to what actually happens.

Watch for:

·       A pilot that won't light

·       A pilot that won't stay lit

·       Repeated clicking without ignition

·       Delayed burner ignition

·       Burners lighting unevenly

·       The fireplace shutting itself off

·       Unusual noises during startup

These symptoms can have several causes, including dirty pilot components, ignition problems, control issues or other service needs.

What you don't want to do is keep pressing the button 37 times while leaning closer to see what's happening.

If the fireplace consistently isn't lighting correctly, have it serviced.

Skyline provides professional direct-vent fireplace service including maintenance, repairs, cleaning, inspections and safety assessments.

4. Look at the Flame

Your flame pattern tells you quite a bit.

You want consistent burner ignition and a flame that looks appropriate for the fireplace or gas log system you're operating.

Potential warning signs include:

·       Heavy soot

·       Very weak flames

·       Uneven burner flame

·       Flames appearing in unexpected areas

·       Popping during ignition

·       Logs becoming heavily blackened

·       Flame lifting or behaving unusually

Gas log placement is especially important.

Those logs aren't decorative ceramic firewood that can be rearranged until somebody decides they look cute.

Manufacturers specify how the logs sit on the burner because incorrect placement can interfere with flame patterns and combustion.

If you own gas logs and they're dirty, not operating properly or haven't been serviced in a while, Skyline offers professional gas log service throughout the Roanoke region.

5. Clean the Fireplace Glass Correctly

Direct-vent gas fireplaces commonly develop a light film or haze on the inside of the glass.

That doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.

But you don't want to leave it there indefinitely.

Fireplace glass should be cleaned with a product appropriate for ceramic fireplace glass and according to the appliance manufacturer's instructions.

Don't automatically grab the same blue spray bottle you use on the bathroom mirror.

Some household cleaners can leave residue behind, and heat can bake that residue onto the fireplace glass.

And here's the bigger point:

If your glass is repeatedly turning black, don't just clean it and move on.

Find out why.

Normal haze and heavy soot are two very different things.

6. Check the Venting and Chimney

The fireplace isn't the entire system.

Whatever happens to the combustion products after the fire starts matters just as much.

Direct-vent fireplaces use engineered venting systems to bring combustion air into the appliance and exhaust combustion gases outdoors.

Wood-burning fireplaces depend on properly functioning chimney systems.

Before the season starts, look at accessible exterior terminations and make sure they aren't obstructed by:

·       Leaves

·       Vegetation

·       Bird or insect nests

·       Debris

·       Other obvious blockages

Wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned as appropriate for their condition and use.

This is one of those areas where “it worked fine last year” isn't much of an inspection program.

Cars worked fine yesterday too.

We still change the oil.

7. Pay Attention to Strange Fireplace Smells

This one gets calls every year.

If the fireplace hasn't been used since spring, the first burn of the season may produce some odor as accumulated dust warms up.

That can happen.

But persistent or strong unusual smells deserve more attention.

Vent-free gas appliances can be particularly noticeable because they use room air for combustion.

That means airborne products and contaminants in the home can affect the smell produced when the fireplace operates.

Cleaning products.

Air fresheners.

Candles.

Paint.

Pet odors.

Whatever weird pumpkin-cinnamon-apple-harvest candle somebody bought because apparently October requires the house to smell like a craft store exploded.

Put airborne contaminants through a flame and sometimes you're going to smell things you weren't expecting.

But if the odor is persistent, unusual, irritating or accompanied by improper operation, have the fireplace inspected rather than assuming it's normal.

8. Ask Yourself Whether the Fireplace Actually

Heats Anything

This is where maintenance sometimes turns into a completely different conversation.

Maybe your fireplace works.

Technically.

But does it actually accomplish what you want?

There is a big difference between:

“I want a beautiful fire.”

and:

“I want this fireplace to help heat the room.”

Vented gas logs can produce a beautiful open-fire appearance, but because the fireplace must vent combustion products through the chimney, they're generally chosen more for appearance and convenience than maximum heating performance.

A modern gas fireplace insert, particularly a direct-vent model designed as a heating appliance, can provide much stronger controlled supplemental heat.

If you're trying to understand the differences, we've already broken down gas logs vs. gas fireplace inserts vs. new gas fireplaces in detail.

Modern gas inserts can offer features such as:

·       Sealed combustion

·       Thermostatic remotes

·       Variable flame control

·       Blowers

·       Better heat distribution

·       Updated burner technology

·       Much better fireplace appearance

If you're spending money keeping an old system alive every season but still aren't getting the heat, appearance or convenience you want, it may be time to talk about upgrading instead of repairing.

9. Schedule Fireplace Service Before Everybody

Else Does

Fireplace season has a funny way of sneaking up on people.

September:

“I should probably get that fireplace looked at.”

Early October:

“I'll call next week.”

First 38-degree morning:

HELLO, YES, THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.

And suddenly everybody in Southwest Virginia has discovered their fireplace won't light at exactly the same time.

If your fireplace needs maintenance, inspection or repair, getting it taken care of before you're depending on it is a whole lot easier.

Professional fireplace service may involve cleaning and inspecting components such as:

·       Burners

·       Pilot assemblies

·       Ignition systems

·       Controls

·       Gas connections

·       Glass

·       Logs or media

·       Blowers

·       Venting components

·       Safety systems

Exactly what needs to be done depends on the appliance.

If you need a new fireplace rather than service, Skyline also provides complete fireplace installation services for gas, wood, electric and pellet appliances.

What If Your Fireplace Is Just Old?

Sometimes maintenance isn't really the problem.

Sometimes the fireplace is just tired.

Maybe the brass doors are screaming 1994.

Maybe the logs look like six ceramic hot dogs somebody stacked inside a black box.

Maybe the fireplace barely heats the room.

Maybe the rest of the house has been remodeled and the fireplace is the last surviving artifact from an era when mauve carpet was somehow a legitimate decision.

You aren't necessarily stuck with it.

In many cases, an existing fireplace can be dramatically transformed.

We covered the possibilities in our guide to completely remodeling an old fireplace.

Depending on the project, Skyline can coordinate:

·       Fireplace replacement

·       Gas fireplaces and inserts

·       Electric fireplaces

·       Wood and pellet appliances

·       Framing

·       Gas work

·       Electrical work

·       Venting

·       Stone veneer

·       Hearths

·       Mantels

·       Finish work

That's the difference between simply swapping an appliance and designing a complete fireplace transformation.

Fireplace Service in Roanoke, VA and Southwest

Virginia

Skyline Hearth & Fire provides fireplace sales, service, installation and remodeling throughout Roanoke and surrounding Southwest Virginia communities.

Our service area includes:

·       Roanoke

·       Salem

·       Vinton

·       Cave Spring

·       Botetourt County

·       Daleville

·       Bedford

·       Forest

·       Lynchburg

·       Smith Mountain Lake

·       Moneta

·       Lexington

·       Blacksburg

·       Christiansburg

·       Covington

·       Clifton Forge

·       Bent Mountain

·       Surrounding Southwest Virginia communities

We're locally owned, family owned and veteran owned, with NFI-certified professionals and more than 20 years of fireplace industry experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Fireplace

Maintenance

How often should a gas fireplace be serviced?

Service needs vary by appliance, amount of use and manufacturer recommendations. If the fireplace is having ignition problems, developing excessive soot, producing unusual odors or hasn't been inspected in a long time, it's a good idea to have it evaluated before heavy seasonal use.

Why won't my gas fireplace turn on after sitting all summer?

It could be something as simple as weak remote or receiver batteries, but ignition components, pilot systems, controls and other issues can also cause startup problems. If fresh batteries don't solve the problem, professional troubleshooting may be necessary.

Is some smell normal when I first use my fireplace in the

fall?

A dusty odor can occur when a fireplace hasn't operated for months and accumulated dust heats for the first time. Strong, persistent or unusual odors should be investigated rather than automatically considered normal.

Why is my gas fireplace glass turning black?

Heavy black soot isn't the same thing as the light haze commonly seen on direct-vent fireplace glass. Blackening may indicate improper combustion, burner issues, log or media placement problems or another condition requiring inspection.

Should gas logs be serviced?

Yes. Gas logs contain burners, pilots or ignition systems, controls and other components that should remain clean and operate correctly. Proper log placement is also important to burner operation.

Can Skyline service direct-vent gas fireplaces?

Yes. Skyline provides direct-vent fireplace service including cleaning, inspections, maintenance, repairs and safety assessments throughout the Roanoke region.

Can Skyline replace my old fireplace instead of repairing it?

Absolutely. If the fireplace is obsolete, inefficient, damaged or simply no longer fits what you want from the room, Skyline can evaluate replacement, insert and complete remodeling options.

Get Your Fireplace Ready Before the Cold Weather

Gets Here

If your fireplace hasn't been serviced recently, isn't operating correctly, smells strange, produces excessive soot or simply isn't giving you the heat you want, now is the time to figure it out.

Not on the first freezing Saturday morning when you're standing in your living room wearing a hoodie and repeatedly pressing the remote like you're trying to launch a missile.

Skyline Hearth & Fire can evaluate your existing fireplace, troubleshoot service issues and help determine whether maintenance, repair, an insert, a new fireplace or a complete remodel makes the most sense.

And if you're considering a bigger change, we don't stop at selling the appliance.

We can handle the entire project from the guts behind the wall to the stone you actually see when it's finished.

Schedule a free in-home fireplace design consultation with Skyline Hearth & Fire, visit our Roanoke showroom at 1619 Shenandoah Avenue NW, Roanoke, VA, or call 540-595-9194.



Because the goal isn't to sell you the most expensive fireplace.............

The goal is to put the right fireplace in the right house and do it right the first time.