So-- If I have this right-- You are able to get a gas flame going, but then the smoke does NOT go up the Chimney-- right?
Do you feel a draft at the fireplace?-- if not there must be a reason. (And also why fireplaces are such wasters of heat!-- they are designed to such gasses out of the room the fireplace is in!)
A couple questions I am sure your husband thought of-- but I need to ask:
Is there some cap on the top of the chimney? (A good idea, during the non-heating season-- to reduce heat losses in the house, and keep birds and (?) from falling down the opening!)
How about a damper on the fireplace? Is there a lever -- a handle that moves-- or is it rusted tight? That lever should open and close the damper..
(Can one stick their head in the fireplace opening, and look up thru the flue and see light at the top of the chimney?)-- (Be sure to protect your head and eyes-- with suitable covering, and safety glasses.)
If there are obstructions-- you might need to have a chimney cleaner help you clear and examine your chimney.
Once you get the flue cleared, and you have a draft-- (On a COLD day, you should feel a considerable draft!
Then,maybe you will have courage to try again-- And if it lights and fires up, maybe you will have a cheery flame to watch?
and just think of all the heat going up the chimney? :-)
Tell me more--
Mack B
Testimonial: "Very helpful and we are going to look at the flue and the possiblity of the chimney being stopped up."
OK Rebecca-
Thanks for clearing up my mis-understanding about the chimney-- WHen I see the word Fireplace-- I think of a Masonry chimney!--
OK-- Then let's just concentrate on the draft problem:
Question: How does the vent pipe, going out the wall, get closed, when you are not using the gas fired fire-place?
If there is no flapper, or cap on the pipe-- what prevents cold air from coming right into your room?
I would think the manufacturer had some way of closing off that potential draft-- can you remove any panels, and look for a lever to close the opening?
When you stick something in the pipe outside, how far in can you insert the stick?-- When you shine a bright light in the vent-- can you see clear into the fire chamber-- with nothing to stop the draft?
If there is nothing to stop the draft- I suggest stuffing rags into the vent pipe -- Does that reduce the draft coming into the room?
Now let's think about using the fireplace for heat:
Now you need a vertical section of pipe, to make DRAFT for exhausting the byproducts of combustion-- Apparently someone removed the vertical section some times ago?
SOunds like maybe this is just a decoration-- and the pipe needs sealing off tight-- and the gas valve taped shut! :-)
Maybe that is why it has onot been fired all these years?
Mack
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Sorry to read about your problem, I hope this helps you out.
well first, clean out the vent exhaust. after all those years, who knows whats inside...you must have burned off dirt and dust. unless the unit has fans in it and they are defective....
I suggest to contact a service company
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Testimonial: "Very helpful we will try the suggestion as we know nothing about gas fireplaces."
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My husband says the vent is straight out the back. So no brick type chimney. There is cold air coming in the room the fireplace is in.
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