Wet, cold weather is on the horizon, and it's time to get your home ready for another stormy West Coast winter. Get ahead of storm season by scheduling your annual safety inspection to ensure your gas fireplace is ready to keep your family safe and warm throughout the winter.
"Annual servicing and safety testing is essential to ensure natural gas fireplaces are operating efficiently and safely," says Sidney's Matt Cronmiller, owner of Pacific Heat Pumps and Heat Wave Plumbing and Heating. "Certified service technicians are trained to spot potential safety issues like corrosion and to ensure that safety features are functioning properly. We encourage homeowners to book their annual appointments sooner rather than later to ensure their fireplaces are serviced before they need to use them."
What’s included in Heat Wave Plumbing and Heating’s annual service and safety check?
- Check safety operations
- Inspect for gas leaks
- Clean pilot and flame-proving components
- Inspect ignition operations
- Test for carbon monoxide
- Visually inspect wiring and piping
- Inspect front door gasket
- Observe flame colour and height (pilot and main burner)
- Visually inspect venting
- Test fan operation
- Measure gas pressure
- Clean glass and ensure gasket seals correctly
- Perform a final check for gas leaks and carbon monoxide
Matt adds that if you notice any of the following signs, your gas fireplace requires immediate servicing, according to Technical Safety BC:
- Pilot light outages or a yellow/wavering burner flame
- Continuous or intermittent odour
- Booming noises on start-up
- Dying houseplants
- Condensation on the inside of windows
If you experience any of these, stop using your fireplace and call a technician immediately.
Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Chronic headaches
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of coordination
Schedule your annual service today with Heat Wave Plumbing and Heating. Contact them online at heatwave.me/contact, by phone at 250-361-9243, or by email at info@heatwave.me . Find more information about Heat Wave Plumbing and Heating on their website, or visit their sister company, Pacific Heat Pumps, at pacificheatpumps.ca for additional services.
Locally owned and operated, Pacific Heat Pumps has been serving Victoria and the Gulf Islands for more than 14 years. Learn more at pacificheatpumps.ca and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.