Fireplace Repair

How Often Should A Fireplace Be Serviced?

To keep your fireplace is the best condition, we recommend having your wood-burning and gas fireplaces maintenance done at least once a year. Having your fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned will ensure that you have proper ventilation and that no harmful chemicals are being blown back into your home when you light a fire. 

We recommend that a wood-burning fireplace should be cleaned out after each use. Once the ashes have cooled, it is best to full clean out the fire box, or area where the fire is lit, to prevent build up that can damage your fireplace over time. Some people rely on burning “cleaning logs”, however these do not help prevent build up in your chimney and will not prevent you from running into issues. 

Give us a call at 717-949-7507 or request an appointment to have your fireplace checked!

Common Fireplace Issues and Repairs

There are several problems that commonly occur with a fireplace. Most of these issues can be avoided with routine fireplace maintenance and cleanings, but when issues arise, we are here to help!

Common wood-burning fireplace problems: 

One common issue is Creosote, which is a tar-like substance that occurs in your chimney flue due to smoke and soot buildup. Creosote buildup can prohibit ventilation and cause exhaust smoke to flow back into your home. This substance is highly flammable and is a hazard for your home, if not properly removed. 

Damper opening/closing issues are another common issue. If the damper is not properly opened for a fire, air flow is restricted and smoke will blow back into your home. This can expose your family to harsh chemicals and lead to health issues if it continues. 

An obstructed chimney is another common fireplace issue that we see. Blockages such as animal nests, tree debris and more can damage the structure of your chimney as well as block airflow for proper ventilation.

Common gas fireplace problems:

Pilot light failure can occur with gas fireplaces. To check if your pilot light has gone out, simply check the vent and check if there is a small flame. If there is no flame, then the pilot light needs to be relit. If you are not sure how to do this, please give us a call since gas can react unpredictably. 

If you have to relight the pilot light, but then it goes out quickly, it’s likely the thermocouple. Thermocouple or Thermopile, are special metal rods that generate electricity from heat and act as a sensor to make sure gas only runs when a fire is lit. As these age, they can begin to fail and may need to be replaced to ensure that your gas fireplace is running properly.

All of these common fireplace issues can be prevented with routine fireplace maintenance and cleanings. However, if issues arise and you are in need of a repair, our team of skilled fireplace repair technicians can help. Contact us today for a free quote at 717-949-7507 or request an appointment.

How much does it cost to repair a fireplace?

The cost of repairing your gas or wood-burning fireplace depends on several factors. If your fireplace has been inactive for years, it may have several issues that need to be addressed before you can use it again. Repairs also very based on the type of fireplace that you have, gas fireplaces and wood-burning fireplaces have different components to take into account. 

If you believe that your fireplace may need a repair or you are interested in having someone inspect and clean your fireplace, our team of fireplace technicians are here to help. Give us a call at 717-949-7507 or request an appointment for a free estimate today!

Trustworthy Fireplace Repair

As a family-owned and operated company, we take great pride in offering honest, fair, and transparent heating services. We always provide upfront, flat-rate pricing and we guarantee the quality of our work.

At Bream’s, we’re dedicated to building strong relationships with all our clients by treating them like family. Give us a call at 717-949-7507 or request an appointment for a free estimate today!