“Wait… My Gas Fireplace Needs Cleaning?!”

Apr 8, 2025

Does your gas fireplace needs cleaning ?

“Wait… My Gas Fireplace Needs Cleaning?!” (Here’s Why You Don’t Want to Skip It)

Hey there, homeowner! Dennis from Chimney Clean Co. here. I get it – when your gas fireplace is working fine, the last thing you want to do is think about maintenance. But your gas fireplace needs cleaning here’s the uncomfortable truth I’ve learned after 30 years in this business: that “maintenance-free” gas fireplace? It’s actually a ticking time bomb if neglected.
 

The Dirty Little Secret of Gas Fireplaces

Just last week, we responded to a call in San Jose. The family swore their fireplace was “perfectly fine” – until we found:

  • •  A bird’s nest completely blocking the vent (how’d that get there?!)
  • •  Spider webs choking the pilot assembly

Here’s what most folks don’t realize: While gas burns cleaner than wood, it still creates:

  • •  Sneaky corrosive compounds that eat away at your system
  • •  Invisible moisture that leads to rust
  • •  Dust bunnies (yes, really!) that can actually catch fire

“But Dennis, It’s Still Working Fine!”

Famous last words! Here’s what we typically discover during cleanings:

  1. 1. The “It Works Fine” Fireplace:
    • •  30% less efficient than it should be (hello, higher gas bills!)
    • •  Clogged ports making some flames weak while others roar

 

  1. 2. The “Oh Crap” Fireplace:
    • •  Animal nests blocking vents (we’ve pulled out everything from mice to owls)
    • •  Dangerous carbon monoxide backup risks
    • •  Warranty-voiding neglect that manufacturers look for

 

Real Talk: What We Actually Do During a Cleaning

(No industry jargon – just straight talk)

  1. Critter Check: We’ve seen it all – from bee hives to raccoon dens in chimneys
  2. Burner TLC: Clearing those tiny ports so flames look perfect
  3. Safety Tests: Checking for leaks and proper venting
  4. Debris Removal: All that dust and pet hair you didn’t know was there

 

Why Local Matters (A Quick Story)

Last winter, we got a call from a panicked family in Nearby Neighborhood. A “national chain” had cleaned their fireplace but missed:

  • •  A cracked heat exchanger ($$$ to replace)
  • •  Improper gas pressure settings
  • •  Blocked venting that could’ve been deadly

That’s the Chimney Clean Co. difference: We’re your neighbors. We service what we clean. And we’ll never upsell you on unnecessary repairs.

 

Limited-Time Peace of Mind

Book in Month of April and get:

    • •  $20 off your gas fireplace cleaning
    • •  Our famous “No Critters” guarantee

👉 [Schedule Online]: www.chimneycleanco.com
📞 Or call us old-school: +1(408) 265-1010

Because here’s the truth: That fireplace you’re not thinking about? It’s thinking about you. Let’s keep it running safely and efficiently for years to come.

-Dennis & the Chimney Clean Co. Crew
[Est. 1990 – Proudly Serving San Jose]

P.S. Seriously – we once found a family of squirrels living in a “clean” fireplace. Don’t let that be you! 😅

We clean your chimney before it becomes a danger to your home

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Smoking back

There are many fireplaces that seem to smoke back into the house no matter what is done. In our experience, the most common cause is that the fireplace simply needs to be cleaned. This is especially likely if the fireplace has gotten worse over time, that is, the smoking back is worse now than it used to be.

Several other possible causes of smoking back are problems with the damper, chimney cap, grate, firewood, or structural problems with the chimney itself. At Chimney Clean Company, we do a full inspection with every cleaning, or we can also do just the inspection if the chimney doesn’t need to be cleaned. This inspection is designed to reveal any causes of smoking back.

Broken chimneys

In the Bay Area, many chimneys were broken in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Usually, these chimneys are broken at or near the roof line, although sometimes they can be broken further down, even at the ground level.

We are fully licensed masonry contractors. We rebuild broken chimneys. If they are broken at the roof line, this usually entails taking the chimney part of the way down brick by brick, installing steel reinforcing bars, getting an inspection from a city inspector, then rebuilding the chimney back up around the steel rebar.

Missing mortar or damaged bricks

Over time, many chimneys develop places that are missing mortar between bricks, or damaged bricks, either inside the firebox or on the outside of the chimney. These areas can usually be repaired, either by replacing the missing mortar or replacing the bricks themselves. Items such as these can be dangerous because they can allow flames, sparks or hot gases to enter the structure of the house.

Water entry

Sometimes the metal that seals the chimney at the roof, called “flashing”, will come loose or develop leaks. In this case, water sometimes comes into the ceiling of the room and causes water spots and stains on the sheet rock. This flashing should be repaired before the water causes more damage.