Resource Page
I thought it would be helpful to create a resource page that you can always come to for all of your gas fireplace repair needs. I recommend bookmarking it for your reference and convenience. Enjoy!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Please understand that I have experience with all of these products, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you.
Pilot Assemblies
Gas Valves
Thermopiles
- Gas Fireplace Parts – www.fire-parts.com. These guys are awesome. They have an extensive library of Parts manuals and all the parts you would need to fix your fireplace. Not to mention a great support staff!
If you need help identifying parts in your fireplace, please watch this video:
Valve Troubleshooting PDF Guides:
Tools
- Gas Fireplace Glass Cleaner – it takes off those white deposits (this is actually a calcium deposit), it leaves a protective coating to prevent future buildup, and it does not contain ammonia (like windex) which can actually harm the inside coating on the glass.
- Gardner Bender Digital Multimeter – An inexpensive but reliable device to test voltage. This is probably the most useful tool in gas fireplace repair.
- Glowing Embers – this simulates glowing embers and will actually add more glow to make it look more realistic.
- All-in-One Screwdriver – My favorite screwdriver.
- Compact Vacuum with Brush Attachment -a nice and compact all purpose vacuum to clean off the logs. You can use your own household vacuum but I like to have a vacuum like this for those “extra dirty” jobs.
- Gas Leak Detector – Think you smell gas? Find out for sure with this electronic gas leak detector. Will detect small traces of natural gas, propane, or methane
Cool Fireplace Related Stuff
- Ethanol Burning Fireplace – Installation in under 5 minutes. It does not require venting and burns 100% bio ethanol.
- Optimyst Electric Fireplace – Uses water vapor and halogen lights to simulate a flame. Click the link to see the video as description does not do it justice!
October 20, 2013
I would like to leave my business name and contact info on the web site. How would i go about setting that up? Thank you
October 23, 2013
All the businesses listed are NFI certified technicians, which is updated twice a year. If you are or become NFI certified, you will be added to the list.
October 20, 2013
I would like to leave my business name and contact info on the web site. How would i go about setting that up? Thank you
October 23, 2013
All the businesses listed are NFI certified technicians, which is updated twice a year. If you are or become NFI certified, you will be added to the list.
February 8, 2017
I am trying to find out why a gas fire place would need a thermocouple as well as a thermopile since they both appear to do the same thing? Are you able to cover this on your web site please? Rod W, Ottawa
February 8, 2017
Hi Rod,
Inside the control valve are two electro-magnets; one controls the gas to the pilot light, the other to the main burner. The one that keeps gas flowing to the pilot is not very large and only requires around 10-30millivolts of power to stay open. The thermocouple is perfect for this because it produces around 30 millivolts of electricity but more importantly it also cools down a lot faster than the thermopile. So that if the pilot light blows out, gas will be shut off to the pilot light almost immediately.
The thermopile is basically like a large group of thermocouples. The main burner is a larger electro-magnet so it needs more power to open up so the thermopile (otherwise known as millivolt generator) provides enough power so that the electromagnet can open up.
I hope this helps.
February 8, 2017
I am trying to find out why a gas fire place would need a thermocouple as well as a thermopile since they both appear to do the same thing? Are you able to cover this on your web site please? Rod W, Ottawa
February 8, 2017
Hi Rod,
Inside the control valve are two electro-magnets; one controls the gas to the pilot light, the other to the main burner. The one that keeps gas flowing to the pilot is not very large and only requires around 10-30millivolts of power to stay open. The thermocouple is perfect for this because it produces around 30 millivolts of electricity but more importantly it also cools down a lot faster than the thermopile. So that if the pilot light blows out, gas will be shut off to the pilot light almost immediately.
The thermopile is basically like a large group of thermocouples. The main burner is a larger electro-magnet so it needs more power to open up so the thermopile (otherwise known as millivolt generator) provides enough power so that the electromagnet can open up.
I hope this helps.
February 10, 2017
If you can, you should replace it.
Most of the time this is designed to make sure exhaust gasses do not vent back into your living space. They use heat to sense this. If you bypass it, you take the chance of the fireplace venting into your dwelling without knowing it.
February 10, 2017
If you can, you should replace it.
Most of the time this is designed to make sure exhaust gasses do not vent back into your living space. They use heat to sense this. If you bypass it, you take the chance of the fireplace venting into your dwelling without knowing it.
February 11, 2017
Yes, this is a risk. Chances are, you will not have any problems. If you bypass the snap disc i would purchase a carbon monoxide detector.
February 11, 2017
Yes, this is a risk. Chances are, you will not have any problems. If you bypass the snap disc i would purchase a carbon monoxide detector.
March 16, 2017
Hi. My gas fireplace won’t stay lit. I’ve had the installer out twice. Now he tells me that I don’t have enough pressure in my gas lines. Also, because the fireplace is at the end of my gas flow, the pressure isn’t sufficient to keep the pilot flame lit. I’ve never heard of this before and wonder if he’s blowing me off because he can’t figure out the problem. Have you ever heard of “insufficient gas pressure” as a cause for a fireplace/pilot to not stay lit? Thank you.
March 16, 2017
Gas pressure can be an issue. Each fireplace will have a normal acceptable range for gas pressure. The tech should be able to check this with a monometer (gas pressure testing device) to determine if it’s within this range. Many times you can have your local gas service provider increase your gas pressure at your meter. You could ask what kind of guarantee there is if increasing the gas pressure does not work.
March 16, 2017
Hi. My gas fireplace won’t stay lit. I’ve had the installer out twice. Now he tells me that I don’t have enough pressure in my gas lines. Also, because the fireplace is at the end of my gas flow, the pressure isn’t sufficient to keep the pilot flame lit. I’ve never heard of this before and wonder if he’s blowing me off because he can’t figure out the problem. Have you ever heard of “insufficient gas pressure” as a cause for a fireplace/pilot to not stay lit? Thank you.
March 16, 2017
Gas pressure can be an issue. Each fireplace will have a normal acceptable range for gas pressure. The tech should be able to check this with a monometer (gas pressure testing device) to determine if it’s within this range. Many times you can have your local gas service provider increase your gas pressure at your meter. You could ask what kind of guarantee there is if increasing the gas pressure does not work.
September 8, 2017
Hello, forgive me if I’m in the wrong part of the Forum but I have a question that I hope somebody can assist me with. I do quite a bit of handyman work in my neighborhood and I’ve been presented with this scenario. A gas fireplace was still functioning properly however they smelled gas. They called in professional technicians that told them they had a gas leak and they would have to get the replacement part. Charged them $90 and went on their way. After a number of weeks with no contact the client called the company, and was essentially informed that the part could not be located.. Sorry. Any company that would not follow up with any size gas leak is untrustworthy. At my request they called back to try to get what part needed replaced. This is the information he received …..
Monnessen Hearth Systems. M/in IDV380NV. sn 05-C- 113793 He said it was the gas valve pilot assembly –
Is this techs information a true possibility, and is this systems gas valve pilot assembly one offered through this sites links. I would like to prove techs diagnosis before acting on it.
Thanks
September 16, 2017
Hi Robert. Is the gas leak at the pilot assembly or the gas valve? From what I can find, the gas valve and pilot assembly should still be available. Could you post pictures of both? Or feel free to e-mail them to partshelp@fireparts.com.
September 8, 2017
Hello, forgive me if I’m in the wrong part of the Forum but I have a question that I hope somebody can assist me with. I do quite a bit of handyman work in my neighborhood and I’ve been presented with this scenario. A gas fireplace was still functioning properly however they smelled gas. They called in professional technicians that told them they had a gas leak and they would have to get the replacement part. Charged them $90 and went on their way. After a number of weeks with no contact the client called the company, and was essentially informed that the part could not be located.. Sorry. Any company that would not follow up with any size gas leak is untrustworthy. At my request they called back to try to get what part needed replaced. This is the information he received …..
Monnessen Hearth Systems. M/in IDV380NV. sn 05-C- 113793 He said it was the gas valve pilot assembly –
Is this techs information a true possibility, and is this systems gas valve pilot assembly one offered through this sites links. I would like to prove techs diagnosis before acting on it.
Thanks
September 16, 2017
Hi Robert. Is the gas leak at the pilot assembly or the gas valve? From what I can find, the gas valve and pilot assembly should still be available. Could you post pictures of both? Or feel free to e-mail them to partshelp@fireparts.com.
October 21, 2017
Hi,
I’ve had ALL my parts in the gas fireplace in my condo COMPLETELY replaced and confirmed there is no issue with gas supply. It still goes out after a ‘variable’ amount of time (15 minutes to a couple hours). Three techs have made the visits and now exhausted all issues with possible faulty parts or gas or blocked two-way venting (used a camera).. The third fellow said his company originally installed the unit and that it appears the condo design did not properly accommodate what was needed for the rise and run of the vent pipe (can’t remember which number didn’t add up)…and that the unit runs out of oxygen – timing might depend on wind patterns. Soooo…how the heck do I solve that?? I could crack the glass open, but is that safe? Is there a mechanical forced air feed unit I could somehow install. Unfortunately, I’m on the top fifth floor and can’t even reach the end of the exterior pipe from a window. I’m at a loss…
November 18, 2017
If the fireplace was installed beyond the venting limits, then it should have never been installed. Whoever installed the fireplace originally should be responsible for proper installation. At this point your only option may be to install a power vent. Many fireplace brands will allow a power vented cap to be installed in these situations, but I would try to get the original company that installed it to fix the issue.
October 21, 2017
Hi,
I’ve had ALL my parts in the gas fireplace in my condo COMPLETELY replaced and confirmed there is no issue with gas supply. It still goes out after a ‘variable’ amount of time (15 minutes to a couple hours). Three techs have made the visits and now exhausted all issues with possible faulty parts or gas or blocked two-way venting (used a camera).. The third fellow said his company originally installed the unit and that it appears the condo design did not properly accommodate what was needed for the rise and run of the vent pipe (can’t remember which number didn’t add up)…and that the unit runs out of oxygen – timing might depend on wind patterns. Soooo…how the heck do I solve that?? I could crack the glass open, but is that safe? Is there a mechanical forced air feed unit I could somehow install. Unfortunately, I’m on the top fifth floor and can’t even reach the end of the exterior pipe from a window. I’m at a loss…
November 18, 2017
If the fireplace was installed beyond the venting limits, then it should have never been installed. Whoever installed the fireplace originally should be responsible for proper installation. At this point your only option may be to install a power vent. Many fireplace brands will allow a power vented cap to be installed in these situations, but I would try to get the original company that installed it to fix the issue.
February 19, 2018
When I turn on my gas fireplace the flame comes out of a hole in the union pipe that is connected between the burner and the tube that comes from the electric control valve. I’m trying to figure out why there is a hole in the union pipe that is connected to the burner assembly? Is some kind of blow out protection or is there something I’m completely missing?
February 19, 2018
This could be the air shutter? I would make sure there is not blockage in the burner orifice or burner itself. If flames are coming out of the air shutter, most likely there is rust or blockage in the burner itself. Could you attach a picture?
February 19, 2018
When I turn on my gas fireplace the flame comes out of a hole in the union pipe that is connected between the burner and the tube that comes from the electric control valve. I’m trying to figure out why there is a hole in the union pipe that is connected to the burner assembly? Is some kind of blow out protection or is there something I’m completely missing?
February 19, 2018
This could be the air shutter? I would make sure there is not blockage in the burner orifice or burner itself. If flames are coming out of the air shutter, most likely there is rust or blockage in the burner itself. Could you attach a picture?
February 19, 2018
Ventless fireplaces run off a ODS or “oxygen depletion sensor”. They function essentially the same way as the systems covered on this website, except they are designed to cut the pilot flame off if the dwelling runs low on oxygen. I would start by testing voltage on the thermocouple. If this checks out okay, make sure the pilot flame engulfs the thermocouple and that you have enough makeup air into the room so that the ODS doesn’t cut the pilot light due to lack of oxygen (ex: open a window).
February 19, 2018
Ventless fireplaces run off a ODS or “oxygen depletion sensor”. They function essentially the same way as the systems covered on this website, except they are designed to cut the pilot flame off if the dwelling runs low on oxygen. I would start by testing voltage on the thermocouple. If this checks out okay, make sure the pilot flame engulfs the thermocouple and that you have enough makeup air into the room so that the ODS doesn’t cut the pilot light due to lack of oxygen (ex: open a window).
February 19, 2018
Unfortunately you will want to replace the control valve with the same one (because your fireplace has been tested with this valve and we know it is safe). You could try e-mailing SIT controls at situsa-headquarters@sitgroup.it. I’m sure they could get you a valve if they are still available.
February 19, 2018
Unfortunately you will want to replace the control valve with the same one (because your fireplace has been tested with this valve and we know it is safe). You could try e-mailing SIT controls at situsa-headquarters@sitgroup.it. I’m sure they could get you a valve if they are still available.
February 19, 2018
I’m not in that house right now so I can’t send a picture. The fireplace is in my late father in laws house and he never used it. I’ll try cleaning the burner and if that doesn’t help I’ll send a picture. Thank you for the reply.
February 19, 2018
I’m not in that house right now so I can’t send a picture. The fireplace is in my late father in laws house and he never used it. I’ll try cleaning the burner and if that doesn’t help I’ll send a picture. Thank you for the reply.