Like any other item that has moving and working components, it’s possible for your fireplace to experience issues periodically that must be dealt with. Within the realm of gas fireplaces in particular, one such issue that may happen sometimes, but that’s typically pretty simple to remedy, is when the fireplace turns on initially, but then flames disappear or “go out” within a few minutes for some unexplained reason.
At Uintah Fireplace and Design, we’re here to not only offer a wide selection of gas fireplaces for clients to choose from, but also to provide service and repairs for any fireplace in your home. We’ve assisted many clients with gas fireplace issues, including those above where the fireplace simply goes out after a few minutes every time you use it. What are some of the possible causes here, and how can they be remedied, either on your own or with the help of our fireplace service professionals? Here’s a simple rundown.
Long Period Without Use
In some cases, if it’s been months since you’ve used your gas fireplace, the pilot light may have gone out. For those unaware, the pilot light is a very important component to any gas fireplace. It essentially serves as a tiny “flame” that’s always burning, and when you want to use your fireplace, you simply turn a knob or switch to release gas into the fire pit area, where it then lights up and produces full flames.
If the pilot light has gone out, it’s usually pretty easy to relight it on your own. The process will be different depending on the model of fireplace you have, but the general idea is the same: find the knob or switch that releases gas into the fire pit, turn it on (but don’t light anything yet), and then use a long lighter to ignite the gas. Once the pilot light is lit, you should then be able to turn on your fireplace as normal and enjoy the flames.
If you can’t seem to get the pilot light relit on your own, or if it keeps going out after you do manage to get it lit, that’s a pretty good indication that it’s time to call in a professional for assistance.
Fireplace Thermostat Concerns
In other situations, the turn-off issues with your gas fireplace will be due to problems with the fireplace’s thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for sensing when the room has reached the desired temperature, and then turning off the gas flow (and subsequently the flames) to avoid wasting any gas.
If you believe this may be the issue with your gas fireplace, there are a couple things you can check on your own before calling in the pros. Firstly, turn the thermostat to the highest setting and see if the flames go out after a few minutes still, or if they stay lit as normal. If the former is the case, then that’s a pretty good indication that the thermostat needs to be repaired or replaced.
In other cases, you may be able to simply replace the batteries in the thermostat. If they’re old and not working properly, that can sometimes cause the thermostat to malfunction and turn off the gas prematurely.
If you’ve tried both of these things and are still having trouble, then it’s time to give us a call so we can take a look and figure out what’s going on.
Thermocouple or Thermopile Issues
Two other components that play a role in the function of your gas fireplace are the thermocouple and the thermopile. The thermocouple is a small sensor that’s located near the pilot light, and its job is to detect whether or not the pilot light is lit. If it senses that the pilot light has gone out, it will automatically shut off the gas flow to prevent a dangerous build-up.
The thermopile, on the other hand, is located near the base of the fireplace and is responsible for allowing gas to flow to the main burner. You can essentially think of the thermopile as a larger version of the thermocouple, one that’s responsible for sensing whether or not the flames are lit. If it senses that the flames have gone out, it will shut off the gas flow as well.
In either case, if either the thermocouple or thermopile is not working properly, it can cause your fireplace to turn off prematurely. Fortunately, both of these components can be easily replaced if they’re not working right.
Basic Cleaning
Whether we’re talking about the thermocouple, the thermopile, the pilot light, or any other component within your gas fireplace, it’s important to keep in mind that they can all get dirty over time and start to malfunction as a result. As such, it’s always a good idea to give your fireplace a good cleaning every now and then (typically once per year is sufficient) to help keep everything in good working order.
Cleaning your fireplace is relatively simple and can usually be done with just a few household cleaners and some elbow grease. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself or if you’re not sure how to properly clean your particular model of fireplace, then it’s always best to call in a professional.
Calling the Pros
Finally, if you’ve tried all of the above and are still having trouble with your gas fireplace, then it’s definitely time to give us a call. We’ll be able to quickly diagnose the problem and get it fixed so you can be back to enjoying your fireplace in no time.
For more on why your gas fireplace is going out and what can be done about it, or to learn about any of our fireplace services, speak to the team at Uintah Fireplace and Design today.
