Can you replace just the logs in gas fireplace?
Can you replace gas fireplace logs? The good news is you don’t need to replace your entire fireplace setup to improve its performance or appearance. Changing just the logs can give your fireplace the reboot it needs. The ceramic logs for gas fireplaces have improved through the years so that they mimic real wood with great detail.
How do you replace gas fireplace logs?
- The first and most critical step is to shut off the valve or pilot light to the gas fireplace before using the highly flammable spray paint. ...
- Second, if there is a glass panel on the fireplace, remove it. ...
- The third step is to use painters tape and construction paper to protect the area around the fireplace that isn’t being painted.
Do you have to replace gas fireplace logs?
The good news is you don’t need to replace your entire fireplace setup to improve its performance or appearance. Changing just the logs can give your fireplace the reboot it needs. The ceramic logs for gas fireplaces have improved through the years so that they mimic real wood with great detail. They are complete with cut marks and branches.
Can I put gas logs in my fireplace?
Yes, you can use a ventless gas log set in a wood burning fireplace with the damper closed. They put out a lot of heat as they burn pretty much 100% efficient and all that heat is kept inside the house (not out the chimney).
What is the lifespan of gas logs?
A general rule of thumb when it comes to ceramic propane gas logs is this: a vented log set that has been regularly maintained can last for at least ten years, while a vent-free set with the same regular maintenance will show signs of wear between three and five years if the fireplace is used frequently.
How often do gas fireplaces need to be replaced?
Generally speaking, you can get a good ten to fifteen years of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace.
How much does it cost to replace gas logs?
You can expect to pay between $390 to $1,790 for most gas log fireplace installations. On the low end, DIY is common when a gas line is already in place or you are replacing an existing set of gas logs. For high end gas fireplace logs, the cost can go up to as high as $3,100 or more.
Do gas logs require maintenance?
Gas fireplaces are easy and convenient. So much so, that it's easy to forget that even a gas fireplace needs upkeep every once in a while. To keep your gas fireplace operating safely and in tip-top shape, it's recommended to perform annual maintenance.
Can gas logs go bad?
Depending on use, they can begin to lose their appearance in 2-3 years. Type of gas logs: A well maintained vented log set with ceramic logs will last a very long time, in some cases 10 or more years.
Can I replace just the logs in my gas fireplace?
The good news is you don't need to replace your entire fireplace setup to improve its performance or appearance. Changing just the logs can give your fireplace the reboot it needs. The ceramic logs for gas fireplaces have improved through the years so that they mimic real wood with great detail.
Can gas fireplace logs catch fire?
If you've been told by an inspector, contractor or chimney sweep that your chimney isn't safe to burn wood, do not use it for a gas fire. Your gas logs will produce heat and exhaust. If your chimney is not properly insulated or sealed, you could light your house on fire.
Can I install my own gas logs?
You should not install gas logs on your own because gas log installation involves obtaining an installation permit and getting a post-installation inspection from a town or city inspector.
Does a gas fireplace insert increase home value?
How Much Value Does a Gas Fireplace Add? A typical gas fireplace insert costs $2,300 to $10,000 depending on the style and installation costs. The majority of real estate agents believe indoor or outdoor fireplaces add $1,000 to $5,000 to the resale value of your home.
What maintenance is needed for a gas fireplace?
Even if you opt to clean the fireplace yourself, it's still a requirement to have an inspection—yearly, at the very least. Inspections of a gas fireplace don't take long to conduct and won't break the bank. Your chimney should be cleaned annually, as well, to clear away any debris and nesting materials from animals.
What maintenance is involved in a gas fireplace?
The initial and foremost guideline of any gas fireplace system is to have it inspected every year. With professional chimney companies, you can usually have your annual chimney cleaning and gas inspection scheduled at the same time. Matter of fact, your whole system should be inspected annually, top to bottom.
How do you maintain gas logs?
Use a damp rag or lint-free cloth to wipe off the soot, carbon, and dust from the logs, at least once per year. Be careful to avoid scratching the logs, or they will no longer be useable. Liquid gas log cleaners are also available at your local fireplace dealer and may make it easier to clean.
What maintenance is required for a gas fireplace?
The initial and foremost guideline of any gas fireplace system is to have it inspected every year. With professional chimney companies, you can usually have your annual chimney cleaning and gas inspection scheduled at the same time. Matter of fact, your whole system should be inspected annually, top to bottom.
Do chimneys for gas fireplaces need to be cleaned?
While gas chimneys often don't need as much cleaning as their wood counterparts, it doesn't mean they don't need any cleaning at all. They are just as vulnerable to other chimney problems and it strongly behooves you to have them cleaned and inspected every year.
When should I replace my fireplace?
A well-maintained prefab fireplace should last up to 30 years, but, unlike brick fireplaces, they don't last for generations. As the majority of homeowners want fireplaces in their homes, prefabricated fireplaces are growing in popularity because they are a cost-effective heating option for both new and existing homes.
What can you do with an old gas fireplace?
Contact your local scrap merchant. If you want to try and make back a bit of money from your old gas fire, then it's worth contacting your local scrap metal merchant. Many gas fires feature aluminium, steel and other metal parts, so whilst you're unlikely to get a huge amount of money, you'll at least get something!
What is gas log?
Gas logs mainly comprise the set of ceramic logs and piping. The logs can be placed in many different setups depending on the desired ambiance. The pipes pump gas fuel through holes in the logs. The log is installed inside an existing fireplace.
What is a Ventless Gas Log?
There are two broad categories of gas fireplaces – the traditional vented gas fireplace and vented gas logs.
What is a Duluth Forge gas log?
Duluth Forge ventless gas logs offer a charming alternative to traditional heating in the home in that they allow you to enjoy the warmth and feel the ambiance of the fireplace without the fire. The log sets can be placed anywhere in the house and deliver up to 33,000 BTU for toasty evenings, even in freezing-cold winters.
What are the challenges of gas fireplaces?
However, gas fireplaces come with one major challenge – the risk of oxygen depletion. In traditional gas fireplaces, similar to conventional wood fireplaces, an exhaust vent (flue) is incorporated into the fireplace to remove harmful fumes from the home.
What is the purpose of the first vent in a fireplace?
The first vent draws fresh air (rich in oxygen) from outside the house to aid the combustion. Meanwhile, the second is an exhaust vent that safely removes exhaust gases generated inside the fireplace.
Is ventless gas fireplace allowed in California?
Your state laws may not permit it: Owing to the high risk it poses, ventless gas fireplace heating is tightly controlled throughout the country and right out banned in some states and municipalities. In California, for instance, the use of unvented fireplaces is completely prohibited. So, check your local codes before you head out shopping.
Can you use a gas log in a wood burning fireplace?
It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s the truth. Gas logs are designed to help homeowners convert the traditional wood-burning fireplace into a gas-burning fireplace. A manufactured gas fireplace can’t handle the amount of heat or exhaust produced by after-market gas logs. It may cause the fireplace to crack or melt, creating a fire hazard.
What to consider when buying gas logs?
There are several things you need to consider when you are buying a set of gas fireplace logs for a new or existing fireplace. First, think about the fuel source. You can buy gas logs that burn either natural gas or liquid propane. Also, note that gas logs are referred to by many names: fake fireplace logs, fire logs, fireplace logs, ...
What are Gas Logs?
Gas logs are a vital piece of an attractive and easy to operate gas-burning fireplace, whether it's masonry construction or a manufactured fireplace. There are many different gas log options and configurations to choose from. Most gas logs are either natural gas or propane but may be vented, vent-free, or configured for see-through fireplaces.
Why use vented gas logs?
These systems are engineered to be enticing to those that have an existing masonry or prefabricated wood burning fireplace that they are no longer using to burn wood. People repurpose wood burning fireplaces for a number of reasons, whether it's due to a lack of wood fuel supply or because they're tired of sweeping ash and cleaning the chimney.
How to ignite a gas log?
To ignite, simply hold a lit match or lighter just above the burner assembly and below the log set. With the external gas valve open to supply the gas to the set, the gas will ignite. This is a good option for the greatest realism and lowest overall cost, with the added plus of no pilot or valve to hide.
How to determine the size of gas logs for a fireplace?
The best way to ensure you get fireplace logs that are the perfect size is by measuring the front, back, and middle widths of your firebox and the height of the firebox, too.
How tall is a log set?
Sizing requirements vary significantly by manufacturer, and there is no one set rule. Height requirements can range from 12 to 20 inches.
What to do if there is no gas line to my fireplace?
If there isn't a gas line to the fireplace, then you'll want to check with the local code enforcement office to see what requirements exist for a gas line to be run. You may need to get a permit and have an inspection conducted following any gas line installation.
How to check gas leaks in a gas log?
If your gas log set came with a grate, install the grate over the burners. Inspect for leaks. Once your burner and grate are in place , turn on the gas supply to check for leaks. Spray a water and soap mixture along the gas line to check for leaks. Any leaks will be evident by the bubbles created at the leak site.
What are the dangers of gas logs?
Such risks include danger of gas leaks, explosion, fire, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
How to check gas line for leaks?
Inspect for leaks. Once your burner and grate are in place, turn on the gas supply to check for leaks . Spray a water and soap mixture along the gas line to check for leaks. Any leaks will be evident by the bubbles created at the leak site. If leaks are found, take necessary steps to either tighten connections or replace faulty hoses.
How to detect carbon monoxide in a home?
Unsafe levels of carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell or sight and can cause death. For your safety, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed in the fireplace room and each bedroom in the home. The detector will be your only warning against unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in the home.
What to do if your gas fireplace smells?
If you notice the smell of gas from the appliance, turn off the gas supply (at the appliance) immediately and contact a certified gas fireplace repair technician for assistance. If you notice the smell of gas, but cannot identify the source, leave your home immediately and contact your local gas company for further assistance.
What happens if you don't follow the manufacturer's instructions?
Failure to follow the manufacturer's warnings and instructions may result in a fire or explosion. Always read warnings and instructions from beginning to end before working on your gas fireplace logs.
Can you use a wood burning fireplace as a gas log?
Most traditional wood burning fireplaces can be converted into a gas burning application with some minor tweaks and upgrades. If you already have gas logs installed in your firebox, you can upgrade your gas log set to a more modern design, which will improve the heat and usability of your gas logs.
When Should You Consider Repairing or Replacing a Gas Fireplace?
Some common situations where homeowners will need to choose to repair or replace their gas fireplace are:
How long does it take to replace a fireplace?
But the reality is that a replacement often takes about two to four days, possibly less.
What does it mean to repair a fireplace?
Repairing a hearth simply means, “trying to extend the life of the fireplace with new components ,” says Baier. “It doesn't really change the look of the fireplace. It doesn't really change the functionality or the efficiency of it.”. “With a repair, you're just making an existing fireplace function better,” adds Turner.
How much does a fireplace increase the value of a home?
According to the National Center for Real Estate Research, fireplaces can increase the value of the average home by up to 12 percent .
Is it better to replace a gas fireplace or replace it?
Replacing your gas fireplace may be the better option if: The fireplace is out of date. It needs significant or constant repair. You also want to replace or update the facing or surround material. You plan to sell your home. You want to use your fireplace more. You want the latest gas hearth features.
Can a fireplace last forever?
A non-operational or malfunctioning fireplace. Just like your furnace, fireplaces aren't meant to last forever. Just like your furnace, fireplaces aren't meant to last forever. Where to Start and What to Expect. No matter what the situation, Turner and Baier recommend contacting a local authorized Heat & Glo dealer as soon as possible once you know ...
Do you put gas fireplace repairs off?
If a gas fireplace does only need adjustments, it’s important not to put those repairs off. While hearth repair may have a reputation for being expensive—which is likely the reason many people deprioritize it—“there are different options within your budget,” Turner says.
