Fireplace, stove and insert service in Bloomfield, NJ
Sometimes the problem is the appliance and not the chimney: a damper that will not close, a stove door that no longer seals, a gas log set whose pilot keeps going out. We service the fireplace or stove and check the flue behind it in the same visit.
The appliance side
We work on wood-burning inserts and stoves, open masonry fireplaces, factory-built fireplaces and gas log sets. That covers the parts you use every time you light a fire, from the damper to the door gasket to the pilot.
Fireplaces we see around Bloomfield
Census figures count only the main heating fuel in each home, and in Bloomfield wood does not show up at all. That does not mean nobody burns it: open fireplaces, inserts and stoves are used on cold evenings and holidays in plenty of homes whose main heat is gas. Those fireplaces still need a yearly look, because a fireplace used a few times a winter can sit for months collecting debris and moisture.
- Wood inserts and free-standing stoves
- Gas log sets and gas inserts
- Factory-built metal fireplaces
- Open masonry fireplaces used now and then
A fireplace you light ten times a year still needs the same yearly look as one you light every night.
Pilots, thermocouples and gas logs
When a gas log set lights and goes out as soon as you let go of the knob, the usual cause is the thermocouple, the small sensor that tells the valve the pilot is lit. We test it, clean the pilot assembly and replace the part when needed. We also check that the gas logs sit where the manufacturer intended, since logs out of place can cause soot and poor burning.
Dampers and gaskets on wood units
A damper that will not close lets heated air escape up the chimney all winter, and one that will not open fully sends smoke into the room. Rust and warping are the usual causes. On inserts and stoves, the rope gasket around the door and glass wears flat over time, and the stove starts to burn too fast and too hot. Both are routine fixes that make a big difference to how the fire behaves.
- Damper plates freed, adjusted or replaced
- Top-sealing dampers fitted where the old throat damper has failed
- Door and glass gaskets replaced
- Stovepipe and connector checked where it meets the chimney
The appliance and its flue together
NFPA 211 asks for chimneys, fireplaces and connector pipes to be inspected once a year. A stove or insert that works well can still vent into a flue with a cracked liner or a blocked cap, so we look at both. One visit covers the appliance and the chimney behind it.
Reviews from our Google listing
A selection of our 5-star reviews on Google.
A hundred years of lime mortar requires a careful, low-RPM touch, and that antique sensibility was obvious in the preservation-grade sweeping of our 1910 hearth.
Soot was cleaned from the flue lining with non-abrasive polymer heads, leaving the critical structural integrity of the ceramic glaze undamaged.
Before any damage to the fundamental integrity of the ceiling, we were able to fix the outside chimney leaks after identifying significant water damage behind the lead counter-flashing.
Questions about fireplace and stove service
Do you service gas fireplaces as well as wood?
Yes. Gas log sets and gas inserts get a pilot and thermocouple test, a look at the logs and burner, and a check of the vent.
We only use the fireplace a few times a year. Does it still need service?
Yes, a yearly inspection. Fireplaces that sit unused collect nests, debris and moisture, and a quick check before the first fire is worth it.
Does a gas insert still need the chimney looked at?
Yes. Gas burns clean, but the vent or liner still has to be clear and sound, and the cap needs to keep animals and rain out.
Can you replace the gasket on my wood stove door?
Yes. Door and glass gaskets are a routine replacement, usually done in the same visit as the sweep.