St. Nicholas chimney and fireplace service by local pros

Glass on a gas fireplace does more than let you see the flame. On a direct-vent unit, the glass and its gasket are part of the sealed combustion chamber, keeping exhaust out of the room and drawing combustion air from outside through the vent. The panel is heat-resistant glass made for the unit, and it can get hot enough to burn.

For that reason, the ANSI standards for vented gas fireplaces and decorative gas appliances (Z21.88 and Z21.50) were revised so that units made from January 1, 2015 come with a barrier screen when the glass gets hot enough to burn, and that screen belongs in place whenever the unit runs. A cracked, chipped or loose panel means the unit should not be run until it is fixed, and replacement is the maker's glass and gasket for that model.

The white or gray film that builds up inside the glass is a combustion deposit, and cleaning it follows the manual, with the unit cold and a cleaner the maker names, since abrasive products scratch the panel. A film that returns quickly can point to logs set out of position or a burner that needs service.

On a service visit, we take the glass off, clean it, check the gasket and the latches, and inspect the burner while it is out. The estimate says whether the glass or gasket needs replacing and names the part. Glass doors for wood fireplaces are a different product that we do not supply. Children and pets should be kept back from the glass for a while after the unit is turned off, since the panel stays hot as it cools.

A unit made before the barrier requirement can be fitted with a free-standing safety screen set back from the glass, which gives children and pets the same protection. Any unit in St. Nicholas with cracked glass stays off until the maker's glass and gasket are fitted. Whatever the job, one call to (904) 920-5495 books the free visit in St. Nicholas.