Gas Fireplace Service

Service Line: 250-544-6789

Gas Fireplaces – Service & Maintenance

The most common question we get about gas fireplace maintenance stems from a deep misunderstanding of proper care and safety. Many residents in Victoria are so accustomed to gas fireplaces that they often overlook a crucial fact: we are intentionally lighting a fire inside a home. While this may seem normal to some, it underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in our industry.

For landlords, did you know that BC law actually mandates gas appliances in rental suites be properly maintained by a certified individual? Additionally, there must be records showing that the maintenance has been performed.

“Is a service just cleaning the glass?”

We often hear about less comprehensive service practices, but this is not how we operate. At our company, we follow Technical Safety BC’s guidelines for proper servicing of gas fireplaces and all gas appliances. Many individual manufacturers also have specific recommendations or requirements. Cleaning the glass is the most easily noticed result of any service, but we provide comprehensive maintenance that goes beyond just cleaning the glass. As a reputable gas contractor, anything less would be irresponsible. Unfortunately, the difference between a simple glass cleaning and a full comprehensive inspection isn’t always clear from a quote or when looking at a fireplace before & after. By reading this page however, you will understand the critical differences and why comprehensive service is essential.

Our clients rely on us to ensure their gas fireplaces operate safely and efficiently. Our service ensures you have peace of mind, knowing we have fully inspected your fireplace. When our technicians leave, you can rest assured that a knowledgeable, certified technician has carefully inspected your fireplace. The combination of personal expertise and top-of-the-line tools maximize our chance to detect any abnormalities with your fireplace. The life expectancy of a gas fireplace is typically 20-30 years. The best way to keep your fireplace heating well, running safely, and lasting for many years to come is through an annual safety inspection, maintenance, and cleaning. Pacific Fireplaces, Technical Safety BC, and all gas appliance manufacturers recommend annual maintenance on gas fireplaces for exactly this reason.

The Pacific Fireplaces Difference

At Pacific Fireplaces, we commit to providing top-notch service in installing, repairing, and maintaining gas fireplaces. We are proud to have highly skilled technicians who possess extensive knowledge of this specialty and use cutting-edge tools to maximize safety for gas work. Most importantly, they specialize in fireplaces.

Investing in our technicians as well as maintaining & properly calibrating the best tools is essential to ensuring the safety and proper functioning of our client’s fireplaces. While this level of service is not the norm in the industry, it is a small example of what sets Pacific Fireplaces apart.

Get ahead of the game and avoid the waitlist! Schedule your gas fireplace maintenance service in advance or take advantage of our off-season pricing incentives by booking your appointment from May to July. Remember, even if you’re not using your fireplace during the summer buildup on the inside of the glass is acidic and can still cause damage. Don’t wait—schedule your gas fireplace maintenance now and enjoy peace of mind all year round!

Here is an example task list of what we do when servicing a gas fireplace. Tasks vary slightly depending on the specific fireplace and the findings as the technician progresses through the service.

Pacific Fireplace Maintenance Report Checklist

First Time Visit tasks (For the first time Pacific Fireplaces has serviced the unit):

• The technician will take a before photo of the fireplace
• Check gas Inlet & Manifold pressures
• Visually assess installation & venting and record relevant details
• Record model & Serial number of appliance to check for safety recalls
• Add QR Code for easy historical record keeping & appliance service reports.

 General Service Tasks (All service calls):

• Check internal notes on appliance for any relevant reminders or details from previous visit(s)
• Clean Glass with appropriate gas fireplace glass cleaner
• Visually assess internal components including sensors, gaskets, burner, combustion chamber, logs & log placement, safety relief mechanism
• Non-invasive Cleaning & inspection of pilot light. Technician will discuss with client if additional / more thorough pilot service is required.
• Photo of pilot light for operational reference
• Draft test if appropriate
• Gas sniff test using appropriate calibrated electronic leak detector
• Carbon Monoxide spillage test using appropriate, calibrated carbon monoxide detector
• General Cleaning, vacuuming of combustion chamber if required, adjusting embers & maximizing visual impact of fireplace as allowed per manufacturer’s instructions for specific appliance
• The technician will diagnose any issues or problems brought up by the client or discovered during inspection so that we can arrange the appropriate repairs.
• Discussion of state of fireplace with client, discussion of appropriate safety considerations including carbon monoxide detection, auxiliary controls and answering any questions or concerns client may have regarding appliance or the specific service provided

To arrange a visit, request a service appointment online. If your unit is older and needing frequent attention, our guide to repairing versus replacing a fireplace walks through the economics honestly.

What a gas fireplace service costs

We publish our rates because you deserve to know before you call. Prices below are plus tax, and include travel within 25 km of our Keating Cross Road showroom.

Additional labour, if a unit needs it, is billed in 15-minute increments. Luxury Urbana and Flare fireplaces are priced higher because they genuinely take longer — we would rather quote that honestly than surprise you afterwards.

What the service includes

• Firebox, burner, logs, glass and accessible venting components cleaned
• Dust and debris removed from accessible areas of the burner assembly and fire chamber
• Glass cleaned with an approved gas fireplace cleaner
• Ignition, pilot, flame pattern and safety controls tested
• Log position verified where possible; ember material topped up if needed
• Gaskets, seals and visible venting inspected
• Gas leak and carbon monoxide spillage testing
• Remote and backup batteries replaced on request

What it does not include

Being clear about scope avoids awkward conversations on the day:

• No cleaning beneath the fireplace (the lower cavity holds gas and electrical components that are easily disturbed)
• No concealed venting, structural or cosmetic work
• No chimney or flue cleaning beyond the accessible fireplace components
• No fan testing on heat-delayed sensor circuits
• No warranty on continued operation beyond the service date

How to prepare for your appointment

• Leave the fireplace off on the day until it has been serviced (the pilot light can stay on)
• Clear a 4′ × 6′ workspace around the fireplace
• Move fragile or valuable items out of the work area — our technicians are careful, but tools and appliances have to be manoeuvred in tight spaces
• Tell us about any known issues or recent problems when you book
• Let us know if your unit is over 60 inches — it may need specialty tools or a second technician
• Parking: our service vehicle is too tall for some underground garages. If underground parking is all that’s available, please arrange an alternative, and send us any gate codes or access instructions in advance

If we find a problem

Disassembly occasionally reveals hidden damage or a safety concern. In rare cases a unit has to be shut down, temporarily or permanently, until it is repaired — we will always explain why. If a part has failed, we provide a repair quote after the visit. The service call itself remains billable whether or not you go ahead with the repair.

Fireplaces over 20–30 years old can have limited parts availability and a higher chance of component failure. If yours is in that range, our guide to repairing versus replacing a fireplace is worth reading before you spend money on it.

Payment and booking

Payment is due on completion. If the billing contact will not be home, please arrange payment with the office in advance. We service all makes and models across Greater Victoria — Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, Sidney, the Peninsula and the Westshore.

Request a service appointment, or call the service line on (250) 544-6789. Someone will contact you to arrange a date and time that suits you.

If something is actually broken rather than just due for its annual clean, see fireplace repair.