See Who’s Fireplace This is and Other Celebrities In Park City

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We are all fascinated by the homes of the rich and the famous.  They typically enjoy some of the finer things in life, and their houses give us a small peek into their lives and what it might be like.  Many celebrities have built cabins and vacation homes in Park City to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival, the incredible ski resorts, and the award-winning golf courses.  These homes, needless to say, are spectacular.  From Michael Jordan to Will Smith, many prominent people and celebrities spend at least part of the year in Park City.

Many of these homes have truly breathtaking fireplaces.  Since Park City is primarily a skiing mecca,  there’s nothing quite like curling up to the fire after a day on the slopes.  Let’s take a look at some of these spectacular homes and fireplaces.

Mitt Romney

mitt romney fireplace

As is apparent here, Mitt Romney’s spacious home in Park City features a large fireplace with a stunning stone façade that complements the rustic log cabin feel of the home.  The verticality is also an impressive achievement.

John Schnatter

john shatner fireplace

John Schnatter, who is much more famously known as the founder of Papa John’s, recently sold his $18 million dollar Park City condo that features a luxurious living room setting that combines rustic charm and understated simplicity.

Jeffrey Katzenberg

Jeff Katzenburg

As the founder of DreamWorks and former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Jeffrey Katzenberg made dreams come true.  This home, with it’s modern take on a luxury cabin, features impressive glass windows that create a breathtaking frame for the charming fireplace

As you can see, a well-placed fireplace accentuates a home and really brings out the charm.  A fireplace brings a certain ambience that few other things can, in addition to the well-known benefits of providing warmth and comfort on even the chilliest of winter days.

You certainly don’t have to be a celebrity to have a spectacular fireplace of your own.  If that fireplace is in need of an inspection, tune up or repair, you need to give Ignite Fireplace a call.  Our locally owned and operated company offers award-winning fireplace repair in Park City, Utah.  Ignite’s technicians bring years of experience and expertise to the table.  Whether you have a wood-burning, gas, or electric fireplace, no job is too big or too small, and you’ll be impressed by our attention to detail.  As Utah’s premier fireplace repair company, Ignite Fireplace is a cut above the rest.  Give us a call today!

What Are The Top Fireplace Brands Today?

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When it comes to buying a fireplace, it can be challenging to know where to begin.  Gas, electric, or wood-burning?  A stone or brick façade? Even when we’re able to sort all that out, we are left with what is the most pressing question of all:  Which brand is best?  With the various makes and models, it can be difficult to understand where to turn to, in order to find a reliable fireplace for our homes and our families.

We are going to take a look at some of the best fireplace brands that offer exceptional value, quality, and performance.  We’ve compiled a list of the best in the industry, aiding you in making the best choice for your home and your family.

Heatilator (heatilator.com)

Heatilator is considered the best in the industry for a reason.  As the #1 choice for builders across the nation, Heatilator offers beautiful gas & electric fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts. They have offered beautiful, efficient, and long lasting quality fireplace models since 1927.

Quadra-Fire (quadrafire.com)
Quadra-Fire has produced high-performance fireplaces, stoves, and inserts for gas, wood, and pellet fuel. With 25 years of proven performance as one of the best in the industry, Quadra-Fire’s fireplaces are designed with performance and ease-of-use in mind.

 

Ambience (ambiencefireplaces.com)

Ambiance offers fireplaces that set the benchmark for good-looking and high-functioning gas fireplaces and inserts.  These products are the direct result of the collaboration of over 100 veteran fireplace store owners and installers, offering something unique, with some of the best features in the industry.

 

Innovative Hearth Products (ihp.us.com)

Innovative Hearth Products offers legacy brand fireplaces and stoves with an emphasis on exceptional value and superior features.  They are renowned for one of the widest selections of wood, gas, and pellet burning fireplaces, with styles that meet even the most discriminate of tastes.

Jotul (jotul.com)

Jotul has been making beautiful fireplaces since 1853.  They are renowned for the beauty and efficiency of their products. The craftsmanship you will find with a Jotul fireplace is second to none.

 

Supreme Fireplaces (supremem.com)

Supreme Fireplaces has been manufacturing breathtaking wood-burning fireplaces with unique designs since 1981. Supreme Fireplaces feature stainless steel interiors to ensure quick startup, while being low maintenance.  Beautiful fires without the hassle.

Majestic Products (majesticproducts.com)

Majestic offers a wide array of innovative fireplace & stove designs. Offering a full range of fireplaces, Majestic hearth systems focus on a look that is defining, and a quality that is built to last.

Town & Country (townand countryfireplaces.com)

If you are looking for a clean, sleek fireplace design, look no further than Town & Country Luxury Fireplaces.  Town & Country offers unique, high quality luxury gas & wood fireplaces that are a sophisticated statement for your home.

Ignite Fireplace offers top-of-the-line repair and cleaning services for whichever fireplace arrangement you choose.  We offer fireplace repair in Salt Lake City, Utah that focuses on value, service, and professionalism.  Our certified technicians can service any gas, wood, or electric fireplace in the Salt Lake Valley.  Give us a call today to see what makes us different.  We promise you won’t be disappointed.

Issues To Be Aware Of When It Comes To Your Fireplace

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There’s nothing more charming than a winter evening by the fire on a brisk winter evening. The glow and warmth of your fireplace is something you don’t find anywhere else.  It’s important to make sure that your fireplace is well maintained and in good order, in order to ensure countless charming nights in the future.

Spotting problems early on is crucial in the performance of your fireplace.  Problems that aren’t addressed can lead to significant repairs that severely impact your wallet.  Spotting problems early on is as simple as being proactive.  Let’s take a look at some ways you can be proactive, and what you can do.

Problem #1: Corrosion

Fireplaces have various metal components in the firebox, and elsewhere.  Make a visual inspection to see if any of these components have visible rust, which is an indicator of corrosion damage. Moisture can accumulate from the damper being open or other factors, and the resulting corrosion can become a major problem if left untreated.  If there are corroded components in your fireplace, it’s best to give a service professional ,such as Ignite Fireplace, a call to repair them.

Problem #2: Water Damage

In addition to corrosion, water that enters your fireplace due to your open damper can damage and sometimes even erode your fireplace’s brick or stone masonry. Inspect the masonry of your fireplace to see if there are any eroding, cracking, or crumbling bricks or stones.  Make certain that you are closing your damper at the end of each season to limit exposure to the elements.

Problem #3: Poor Airflow

Occasionally, you’ll see smoke entering your room rather than exiting through the chimney.  When this happens, you will need to check your fireplace vents. Make sure the damper is open, and that there is a clear, unencumbered pathway for the smoke to flow up out of the chimney.  If there are any issues with the venting or damper, your chimney will need to be repaired.

Problem #4: Heat Damage

Of course a fireplace runs hot.  However, the fireplace, and particularly the firebox, is subjected to extreme temperatures for long periods of time. As a result, your firebox can show signs of wear and fatigue after years of service.  If your firebox doesn’t look as if it’s in tip top shape, it may be necessary to replace it.

If your fireplace appears that it is in need of repair, it’s crucial to get the fireplace repaired immediately, or discontinue using it until you can get it repaired.  When it comes to looking for a repair service, look no further than Ignite Fireplace.  Ignite offers top-notch fireplace repair in Salt Lake City, UT.  Our technicians bring years of expertise and a world-class service experience that ensure the well being of your fireplace and your home.  You will not find a better repair service in the Salt Lake Valley.  Give us a call today to see what we can do for you!

How To Prepare Your Fireplace For Winter

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Although it’s July and hotter than Hades, winter is always just around the corner.  The summer days at the lake or on the golf course and going to give way to chilly days where all you’ll want to do is curl up next to the fire with a good book, and it’s important to make sure that your fireplace is ready.  In order to prep your fireplace, there are some important maintenance considerations you will need to tackle for both wood-burning and gas units.  These steps will ultimately save you time and money, while providing you peace of mind.

Wood Burning Fireplaces

Wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful and create an unsurpassed ambience in your home.  They’re also  higher-maintenance, and require a little bit more work to make sure they’re in good standing.

The first thing you will want to do is to clean up any ashes and soot in the fireplace.  Cleaning up the ashes not only keeps the air quality fresh, but will specifically keep soot from blowing throughout your home once you close the damper, which severely restricts outward airflow from your home.

The next step is to close the aforementioned damper.  Leaving the damper open exposes your home to drafts, leaks from rainstorms, and uninvited guests paying you a visit, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other unpleasant friends. A closed damper also helps with energy costs, as your A/C won’t be drawn out of your home.

The third step is the most critical of all, which is to schedule a fireplace inspection and/or cleaning.  Regular inspections and cleanings from a reputable fireplace repair company, such as Ignite Fireplace, are universally recommended, if not required, for all fireplaces. Ignite Fireplace’s technicians will perform an inspection, which entails checking chimneys and flues for cracks or leaks, as well as examining the damper and chimney cap to make sure they are in working order.

Upon completion of the inspection, Ignite Fireplace’s technician will clean your fireplace and flue, including the removal of built-up creosote.  Creosote accumulation is not to be taken lightly, and it’s critically important to make sure it’s addressed.  Creosote is extremely flammable, but regularly scheduled cleanings will keep your home safe.

Gas Fireplaces and Gas Logs

Although gas fireplaces are not as intensive as wood-burning fireplaces, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their own specific set of steps to ensure that they’re properly cared for and maintained.

For a direct vent fireplace, remove and clean the glass panel using hearth appliance glass cleaners. Whatever you do, avoid using standard glass cleaning products, especially those that contain ammonia.  You will also want to remove any accumulated soot, which can be done with a dry paintbrush.

If your fireplace has a standing pilot, you may choose to turn it off in the summer months. Turning the pilot off can save you some money in energy costs, and obviously reduces the possibility of a gas leak when the unit is not being used. Please be aware of what is entailed in turning your pilot back on.  It’s possible it’s simple, but if not, make sure you take the proper precautions in contacting a service professional.   Also be aware of spider webs in the pilot tubes that may accumulate if you turn the pilot off.  A service call may run you more than leaving your pilot on all summer.

Lastly, schedule an annual fireplace maintenance with a professional service technician from Ignite Fireplace.  The burner and other components of a gas fireplace require detailed inspections.

A well-maintained fireplace should give you and your family years of dedicated service.  Whether you’re looking for an annual inspection and/or cleaning, or you have repairs that need to be performed on your fireplace, give Ignite Fireplace a call to service your unit.  We are a locally-owned and operated company that offers best-in-class fireplace repair in Salt Lake City, Utah and surrounding cities.  Our technicians are knowledgeable, and bring years of experience and expertise.  Give us a call today!

Why You Want A Fireplace

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A fireplace can bring a feeling of serenity and peace to a home.  It also is something that can be the centerpiece of cherished memories.  Fireplaces provide a warmth that goes beyond the literal warmth of the flames.  They are also a desired when purchasing a home, and have a very positive impact on property values.  The creature comforts that fireplaces contribute to impact our lives in more ways than one.  There are many benefits to having a fireplace in your home, and we’re going to take a look at five of them:

1 — Increased Property Values

The value of our homes matters to us as homeowners.  A fireplace not only adds to the charm of your home, but it has a very profound impact on the value of your home.  It has been shown that a fireplace can increase property values by an average of $12,000.  A space heater certainly isn’t going to have that sort of impact on your home. In a 2007 study, 46 percent of prospective homebuyers were willing to spend more on a home if it had a fireplace.

2 — A Charming Ambiance

There’s nothing quite like sitting in front of a fire with your soulmate, or your family, or your closest friends.  It can be very peaceful and it can especially be very romantic.  There are few features in the home that offer the serenity and charming aesthetic of the dancing embers of a fireplace.  Sitting by the fire elicits a peace and tranquility that really cannot be found anywhere else.

3 — A Constant, Unencumbered Source of Warmth

Winter storms and vicious thunder storms not only can be chilly, but can potentially knock the power out.  When you’re sitting in a cold, dark home, there’s a literal beacon of light to help you see it through: your fireplace.  A fireplace doesn’t need auxiliary power or any outlets.  You simply need to start the fire, then you can curl up to it with a nice book or a drink until power is restored.

4 – Fireplaces are Environmentally Conscious

Wood-burning, gas, and electric fireplaces are efficient in warming your homes.  A fireplace is much more environmentally responsible than alternative heat sources.  In fact, a wood-burning fireplace has a zero carbon footprint.  In an era when saving the environment has come to the forefront, why not enjoy a heat source that isn’t negatively impacting the environment?

5 – Cut Energy Costs

Energy costs are continuing to rise.  Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves have become  much more popular primary heating sources as a result of this climb in energy costs.  Firewood and pellets are much more cost-efficient than the ever-increasing costs of fossil fuels.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  There are really countless reasons why a fireplace is the perfect complement for your home.  Ignite Fireplace is a locally-owned fireplace servicing company that offers top fireplace cleaning in Murray, Utah.  Our knowledgeable, professional technicians serve the entire Salt Lake Valley, including Davis and Utah Counties.  We will come to your and clean or service your wood-burning, gas, and electric fireplaces.  Let us show you why we’re the best fireplace cleaning service in the state.  Give us a call today!

 

The Cost Of A Fireplace

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Now that summer is upon us, the sunny weather and warm temperatures may cause the chilly nights of winter to be the furthest thing from our minds, but it’s never too early to plan for the best ways to go about staying warm and comfortable on some of those frigid winter nights.

When looking at your options, it’s easy to keep coming back to a fireplace.  Fireplaces provide a charming aesthetic that will complement any home.  While  the installation of a fireplace complete with custom hearth and mantel can easily cost you $10,000 or more, there are possibilities that exist for gas or electric fireplaces that are significantly easier on your wallet.

Without further ado, we are going to take a look at the various fireplace options that exist for your home, allowing you to see which options fit in your budget.  When you’re ready to commit to a fireplace, give Ignite Fireplace a call.  Ignite is a locally-owned and operated fireplace installation and repair service, offering  top fireplace service repair in Murray, Utah that serves the entire Salt Lake Valley.  Our prices are competitive, and our services are second-to-none.

Costs of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

A wood-burning fireplace is undoubtedly beautiful, and will immediately improve the aesthetic and property value of your home.  If you’re looking for an open-hearth fireplace, complete with a beautiful mantle, you will need to enlist the help of a skilled, professional mason and a budget that may be in excess of $10,000.

In addition to the extensive masonry involved, it may also be necessary to renovate your home in order to accommodate a wood-burning fireplace.  The renovation work required is considerable, including additions to your roof, the building of the chimney and flue, and foundation work.  You will likely be paying anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 (or more) for these services.

Costs of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

If the cost and other considerations of a wood-burning fireplace make it prohibitive or undesirable, a gas-burning fireplace may be an attractive alternative.  A propane or natural gas fireplace unit will likely cost from $1,500-$2,500 for the basic materials.  For proper installation, including the installation of a gas line, expect to spend approximately another $2,000-$2,500.

Costs of an Electric Fireplace

Gas and wood-burning fireplaces can be expensive.  There are other options, specifically with electric fireplaces, that are much more affordable.  There are trade-offs in the aesthetic, design, and warmth produced, but there are attractive electric fireplace options that may make sense.  A gel-fuel fireplace or an electric fireplace starts under $400. These are portable units that can be plugged in anywhere.

If you include a mantel package, expect to pay somewhere between $800 and $1,500.

Ongoing Costs

For a wood-burning fireplace, figure on $100 to $200 a year for a comprehensive chimney and flue cleaning, not to mention the cost of firewood if you choose to purchase it.  Gas fireplaces also need an annual service check that will run you around $100, plus a chimney inspection. Electric fireplaces don’t need regular maintenance.

If you have any further questions, please give Ignite Fireplace a call.  We will gladly help you make a decision that is right for your family.  As Utah’s premier fireplace servicing company, we would be honored to help.  Give us a call today!

 

 

What is the Best Fireplace for Your Home?

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While the romanticized version of winter is a beautiful, snowy wonderland, the reality of winter is spending a lot of time being cold!  The romanticizing of winter is usually accompanied by a cozy fireplace, and warm nights curled up by the fire with loved ones. The warmth and dazzling glow of a fireplace brings a shimmering glow to even the gloomiest of nights.

As winter’s snows are slowly melting, the memories of chilly evenings are fresh on our minds, so what better time to take a look at the best fireplace options for your home. Once you’ve decided, let Ignite Fireplace, Salt Lake City’s premier fireplace repair service, help maintain your investment.  Without further ado, here are the pros and cons of your options.

Wood-Burning

The beauty and timelessness of a wood-burning fireplace elicit the dreams of curling up to the hearth as is popularized by various books and movies.  There’s nothing that compares to the aesthetic of a wood-burning fireplace; It’s a look and experience that most people dream of having.  However, a wood-burning fireplace is a lot of work.  Stoking a wood-burning fireplace on a regular basis is challenging, as is procuring firewood regularly. You also have to be mindful of creosote accumulation in your flue, which can become flammable.   In the end, a wood-burning fireplace is romantic, but not overly efficient.

Pros: 

  • Wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful. They create a charming ambience that is enchanting.
  • It’s hard to compete with the authenticity of red flames shooting from logs.
  • The warmth emitted from natural flames is unparalleled.

Cons: 

  • Chimneys need to be inspected regularly for the build-up of soot and creosote, which can be flammable.
  • Wood-burning fireplaces don’t efficiently heat homes. A damper can only stop so much of that heat going right back up the chimney.
  • You need to have a constant supply of firewood, and the clean-up of firewood is messy and time-consuming

Gas

While a wood-burning fireplace is a lot of work to get going, a gas fireplace is a model of simplicity.  With the simple flip of a switch, a gas fireplace instantly ignites and emits the glowing warmth you crave on those chilly winter days.  Gas fireplaces give off just as much heat as a wood-burning fireplace, without the worry of the inefficiencies of a chimney.  As a gas fireplace vents through a PVC pipe in the wall, you also have the luxury of being able to place a gas fireplace wherever you’d like within your home.

Pros: 

  • You can light a gas fireplace with the simple flip of a switch.
  • The heat from a gas fireplace is emitted immediately.
  • All components are enclosed, so there’s very little cleanup or maintenance.

Cons: 

  • It doesn’t match the aesthetic of a wood-burning fireplace.
  • Repairs can be a little tricky, as they could occur anywhere on the line, or with the pilot light.
  • While people may think they are maintenance-free, gas fireplaces still require regular maintenance.

Electric

An electric fireplace is a great alternative for someone who wants to have a fireplace that can be treated essentially as an appliance. As an electric fireplace doesn’t produce a live flame, it is a durable solution, although the simulated flames leave something to be desired.  Since it runs off of an electrical outlet, it can be moved wherever you’d like within your home. Those simulated flames don’t give off nearly the amount of heat that a gas or wood-burning fireplace do, but an electrical fireplace can still be a practical solution for someone who would prefer to be a little more hands-off.

Pros: 

  • There are no worries regarding fumes, creosote, or gas leaks.
  • Mobility and cost-efficiency.
  • You can plug an electric fireplace into any outlet, and it immediately comes to life.

Cons: 

  • An electric fireplace is subject to power outages.
  • It doesn’t produce much heat; it’s output is more similar to that of a space heater
  • It doesn’t give off a real flame, so there’s little true ambiance.

Choosing a fireplace for your home can be a difficult decision.  Once you’ve made your decision, Ignite Fireplace will help bring your choice to life and ensure that your fireplace will provide countless years of worry-free service.  We are a locally-owned fireplace repair company that places our focus on delivering a world-class service experience that’s light on your wallet.  As the premier Heatilator fireplace repair service in Salt Lake City, we service all types of gas fireplaces with efficiency and professionalism.  Our work is not just limited to gas fireplaces.  We offer wood-burning and electric repair that is unsurpassed, as well.  We service the Salt Lake Valley, as well as the greater metro area, including Utah, Davis, and Summit Counties.  Give us a call today for a free quote, and see the Ignite Fireplace difference.

How Do You Know When to Service a Fireplace?

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Cleaning a fireplace is crucially important.  However, knowing when to clean your fireplace isn’t like changing the oil in your car.  You know you have to change your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles, but you aren’t going to need to clean your fireplace every 50 uses, or 100 uses.  There are ways that you can check your fireplace to see if your chimney flue needs servicing and cleaning.

The biggest problem with determining when to clean your chimney is that creosote can form when wood is burned incompletely. This can be after using your fireplace 5 times or 500 times.  Creosote is an accumulation of tar vapors that can potentially stick to the inside of your flue.  Creosote is highly flammable.  Accumulation is often started by a smoky fire without enough oxygen.  Generally speaking, creosote accumulation can be reduced or even eliminated by providing adequate combustion air, which will encourage a hot, clean-burning fire.

Checking for creosote buildup is actually really easy.  Make sure there’s no downdraft from the chimney. If you feel an airflow, open a door or window on the same floor as the fireplace until it stops.  Make sure to then wear goggles and a dust mask.  Once your done this, taking a fireplace poker and a flashlight, scratch the black surface above the damper (smoke chamber). If what you are able to scratch is paper thin, you don’t need to clean it.  However, if it is more than 1/8 in., schedule a cleaning.  If it’s ¼ in. or more, don’t use the fireplace again until it has been cleaned.  As we had mentioned earlier, creosote is EXTREMELY flammable.  A chimney fire in that scenario is simply a matter of time.  When you are checking, shine your flashlight in the smoke chamber up into the flue, since creosote builds more quickly in the chimney.

Creosote comes in a variety of shades and thicknesses.  The light brown or gray soot can typically be easily removed with a broom. The thicker and more tar-looking it is, the harder it is to clean.  If it looks like a glaze, good luck on being able to get it off!  That’s where a professional can come in and get their hands dirty in cleaning your chimney and keeping your family and home safe.  A fireplace is a treasure, and a scheduled cleaning can restore its illuminating luster.

The need to service your fireplace is not only limited to wood-burning fireplaces.  Gas and electric fireplaces.  Electric fireplaces rely on candelabra light bulbs, which can burn out.  Gas fireplaces are typically dependent on a reliable gas line and functioning pilot light.  There are other issues that can potentially arise, as well.  While these issues are typically a little easier to troubleshoot, they are still important to be efficiently maintained, and repaired when necessary.  That’s why it’s so critical to rely on professionals you can trust.

Ignite Fireplace is a locally-owned company that specializes in providing a world-class service that’s light on your wallet.  Not only do we offer chimney and flue servicing for wood-burning fireplaces, we also offer repair and service for electric and gas fireplaces, such as Heatilator and Heat & Glo.  We offer the premier Heatilator repair service in Utah.  Our technicians serve the Salt Lake Valley, as well as Utah, Davis, and Summit Counties.  Give us a call today to schedule a servicing today.  It’s one call you will be glad you made.

Tip:

Save money and avoid a long wait by having your chimney inspected and cleaned in the spring

Know Your Gas Fireplace and Its Issues

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Gas fireplace repair can be daunting!  While a gas fireplace is a simple to use solution for providing the beautiful, illuminating glow that a fire provides, there are some issues that are less-than-simple. Finding the source is the usually what makes it so daunting.  One issue could have any number of root sources, so it’s a matter of covering your bases.  Covering your bases can take a lot of time, and you may not quite have the expertise to troubleshot or repair anything we are going to review.

There are three primary areas that we are going to focus on in this article.  They are the pilot light, the thermocouple, and the thermopile.  We need to reiterate that you are working with gas, and gas is obviously very combustible.  Please, please make sure to turn off your gas line before proceeding with anything we are going to discuss.

Pilot Light

The pilot light is an ignition source. If your fireplace won’t turn on, it may be a simple matter of the pilot flame having been blown out. Reigniting a pilot light can be done in a matter of minutes, and you can simply troubleshoot by opening the vent and taking a look.  Re-lighting a pilot light is as simple as igniting it with a match or lighter.  After lighting it back up, see if you are able to turn on the fireplace.  If the pilot won’t stay lit, you may be facing a bigger issue that would require professional assistance.

The Thermocouple

The thermocouple is a small metal rod that intersects the gas valve and the burning pilot flame. It acts as a temperature sensor and generates electricity to ignite the gas when needed.  The thermocouple is small!  It also interacts with many components, so it really can impact your fireplace in myriad ways.  It can be something as simple as the thermocouple not being screwed in tightly or having been knocked out of place.  When inspecting the thermocouple, make sure that the wiring is also correctly placed.  If anything looks awry and cannot be simply adjusted, professional intervention will be required.

The Thermopile

Similar to the thermocouple, a thermopile is a sensor that generates voltage. The thermopile has replaced the thermocouple in many newer gas fireplaces. A thermopile is much more complex than the aforementioned pilot light and thermocouple.  Repair and diagnosis are much more complex, so proceed with utmost caution when looking at troubleshooting and potential repairs.

As a thermopile has a generator function, utilize that to check how much energy it’s providing.  That can be a good way to figure out if your current wiring is adequate. Loose or inadequate wiring can be the root cause behind a burner that won’t come on at all.

Even though these three components can comprise a lot of the issues with a gas fireplace, but there are many, many other issues that can arise.  Gas valves malfunctioning, or the scary possibility of a gas leak can be other culprits, both of which are difficult to diagnose without the assistance of a professional you can trust.

Ignite Fireplace is the company of professionals that you can trust.  As a locally-owned and operated company with an emphasis on family-oriented service and reasonable prices, we want to take care of your needs.  No job is too big, and we provide the best service in the state for your Heatilator and Heat & Glo fireplaces.  Our Heat & Glo fireplace service in Utah, Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Summit Counties.  Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.  See the Ignite difference.

A Dirty Chimney Is More Dangerous Than You Think

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Everybody knows what a chimney is, but few people understand its components or how it works.  Furthermore, few people understand how important those components are in making sure your fireplace is properly vented.  One of the most critical components of a chimney is a flue.  A flue vents the smoke and components of a fire as they rise through the chimney.  A flue also consolidates the heat given from a fire to rise up and out of your home safely.  It is ultimately designed to protect you, your family, and your home from fire and the harmful byproducts of a wood-burning fire.

The more you use your fireplace, the dirtier your flue can become.  Over time, without regular maintenance, a flue can become blocked or restricted, which leads to insufficient venting.  Insufficient venting can come from either debris falling into the chimney, such as nests from birds or wasps, or can come from a lack of adequate cleaning, as the soot from fires can accumulate over time.

In the event of a flue becoming damaged, its crucial purpose in keeping excessive heat away from combustible materials can be compromised.   If the flue liner gets cracked, the heat of a fire can seep into brick or wood on your roof or in your chimney, potentially leading to a catastrophic fire.  You will also want to be aware of creosote, which is a natural byproduct of burning wood.  It unfortunately happens to be highly flammable and accumulates on the inner walls of the flue under certain burning conditions.  It’s important to make sure that it is cleaned properly.

Maintaining a Chimney Properly

Now that we have reviewed some of the heavy and even scary scenarios that can play out, let’s see what can be done to keep your fireplace burning bright for years to come, and your family safe!  A fireplace is a wonderful tool that is to be cherished by your family, certainly not feared.

The most critical thing is to have a qualified chimney professional clean and examine your chimney annually.  Ignite Fireplace has a team of qualified, friendly professionals the Salt Lake Valley who will come to your home and perform a thorough examination of the chimney, flue, and fireplace to look for and repair signs of deterioration or weakness.  An annual cleaning and inspection will save you a LOT of money from costly repairs down the road.

Once your fireplace is in good order, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you have peace of mind in your home:

  • Have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home and check them regularly.
  • Close the dampers in your fireplace to prolong burning. Slower, cooler burning wood fires lead to creosole accumulation
  • Opt to burn your fires hot, when possible
  • Visually inspect your fireplace to make sure everything looks right. If anything appears questionable, call Ignite Fireplace for an inspection

Ignite Fireplace offers the pinnacle of fireplace repair in Salt Lake City.  We service the Salt Lake Valley, Utah County, and Summit County.  No job is too big or too small.  We pride ourselves in providing a world-class experience in a company that knows the importance of family values.  Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!