Gas fire servicing and repairs
Neil Green Services Ltd services and repairs gas fires in homes around Ripon. Every engineer is Gas Safe registered. A gas fire often gets forgotten because it is used less than the boiler, but it needs the same yearly check.
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds
Do not wait for an appointment. Act straight away:
- Open doors and windows.
- Do not smoke, light a flame or use electrical switches.
- Turn the gas off at the meter if it is safe to do so.
- Go outside and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. The line is free and answered day and night.
If your home runs on LPG, call the emergency number shown on your tank, cylinder or supplier’s bill instead. If anyone feels unwell, get medical help.
What a gas fire service involves
The steps vary with the type of fire and the manufacturer’s instructions. A typical service covers:
- Checking that the flue or chimney is clear and drawing properly
- A spillage test to confirm the fumes are going up the flue and not into the room
- Cleaning the burner and pilot
- Checking that the ceramic coals or logs are sound and laid out as the manufacturer specifies
- Testing the device that cuts off the gas if the flame goes out
- Checking the gas pressure
- Checking the ventilation in the room, where the fire needs it
Why the flue matters
A gas fire relies on its flue to carry the fumes outside. Chimneys can become blocked by nests, fallen debris or a damaged lining. If the fumes cannot get out they come back into the room, and they can contain carbon monoxide. You cannot see or smell it, which is why the flue is tested at every service. An audible carbon monoxide alarm in the room is a sensible precaution.
Signs a gas fire needs looking at
- Soot or dark staining on the fire, the surround or the wall above
- A pilot light that will not stay lit
- The fire going out while it is in use
- Flames that look different from how they used to
- Difficulty lighting it
If you notice any of these, stop using the fire until it has been checked.
Repairs
Many gas fire faults come down to the pilot assembly, the ignition or the control valve, and can be repaired. On older fires parts are sometimes no longer made. We will tell you if that is the case.
Do not rearrange or replace the coals yourself. Their position affects how the fire burns, and a wrong layout can cause sooting.
On the same visit as the boiler
A gas fire can be serviced at the same appointment as your boiler service. If you let a property, a fire you provide must also be included in the landlord gas safety check.