With winter quickly approaching, many residents in Cleveland began to think of crisp winter nights spent relaxing by a fire. But more and more home owners are switching from wood burning fireplaces to gas inserts. Rather than constantly tending to the fire, gas inserts let you enjoy the ambiance without all the work.
While installing a gas fireplace insert in a new home is easy, what about installing one in an older home? In many cases, the fireplace is located on the opposite side of the house from the gas meter. This is when it’s important to call a professional. Working with gas lines can be dangerous if not done correctly, so it’s best to leave the work to licensed contractor. At Approved Plumbing Co., we are D.O.T. certified for Columbia Gas and Dominion East Ohio Gas.
Homeowners have two options for gas fireplaces; vented and ventless. The vented models involve a damper running up through the chimney to let gases escape. They also include some of the best/natural looking logs and they generally burn cleaner. However, they don’t include a remote start option and while they will warm the room, they will release some of the warm air through the damper.
Ventless options do a great job heating the room and include options for a remote start. The ventless models are not good options for individuals with asthma because they suck oxygen out of the room. It’s also not a good idea to leave ventless models burning for hours at a time, and over a period of time (six to eight years) they can start to leave a residue on the walls.
Once the customer has decided which option to install, we can get to work on the installation. We can run gas lines inside or outside depending which will be easiest. We always like to find the path of least resistance. The most time-consuming part of the project involves drilling through the concrete in the fireplace.
Installing a gas line for a fireplace can be completed in one day or less. Most cities near Cleveland require a permit and an inspection, so we make sure the inspection will take place on the same day.
Once our work is done, homeowners can enjoy a cozy fire without the hassle all winter long. If you’re interested in having a gas line installed, give us a call at 440-526-2905.
Gas line and gas pipe inspections should be done on a regular basis to ensure the safety of your home or office. There are multiple dangers involved if you have a leaking gas line and pipe. For one, gas is combustible and flammable. Not finding and repairing a gas line leak may result in an explosion and tremendous damage to your property. The leaking gas can collect in one place and build up pressure and may explode if the right conditions are met. Secondly, many people actually die each year from gas leaks that they are unaware of. Even though the gas company does put an agent in the gas to make it smell sometimes you can’t smell the gas and the leak goes undetected unless you regularly inspect your lines and pipes.