So, it’s cold outside, and you turn on the fireplace, thinking that it’d keep you warm. All of a sudden, you begin sniffing a gas smell, and your perfect evening is disturbed. Why does your gas fireplace smell like gas, and is it dangerous? Time to find out.
A gas smell on its own is not always a cautionary sign. Especially when you first ignite your gas fireplace, you may catch a whiff of a gas odor from time to time. This is because your fireplace comes with natural odorants, such as mercaptan, to detect leaks.
However, if you find that the smell grows stronger, consistently lingers, and even persists, it means your gas fireplace is leaking. If ignored, gas leaks can cause health issues or even result in death due to carbon monoxide buildup, fire risk, or even explosion.
Why does a gas fireplace smell like gas? There are several possible reasons, and each one requires a different response. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s actually causing the gas or rotten egg odor.
If you’ve just installed a gas fireplace or if you’ve recently replaced an old unit with a new one, it’s normal to notice a smell that resembles gas or melting plastic coming from it.
There’s no reason to panic here. The gas odor comes from manufacturing residues and coatings warming up. Just remember to keep an eye on your fireplace while you’re running it and open the windows to help with circulation.
However, if the gas smell doesn’t go away after the initial gas fitting period, it’s time to contact a professional.
As discussed earlier, if you’ve just turned on the fireplace and begin to smell gas, in the majority of cases, it doesn’t mean that your gas meter is leaking.
Whenever you switch on or manually light the fireplace, the gas line will release a small amount of fuel before the flame catches. This brief release will usually produce a momentary gas smell that’s not too strong.
During winter, you might shut your chimney flue and tidy up the fireplace until next season. When the temperature drops, you might forget to re-open the flue before starting a fire. As a result, you might smell a gas odor.
That’s why it’s important to re-open the flue before starting any fire. The flue lets combustion gases safely exit the home. It’s also necessary to call a yearly inspection so a professional can ensure the chimney flue is clean and venting properly.
Do you smell a gas-like or plastic-like odor? That could simply be due to dust, dander, or other particles burning off when the fireplace heats up. Since those particles are airborne, they will likely produce odd odors when they burn.
However, it can be hard to differentiate between harmless debris and a serious issue. If you feel like the smell is way too off, it might be worth dialing for professional help.
However, for light gas odors, you can put up an air purifier within the same room to circulate the air inside.
Most gas fireplaces are modern, running on a pilot light or electronic ignitor. However, if you use decorative logs for a traditional look, especially during Christmas, they can release a faint gas-like or plastic-like odor as they heat up for the first time.
The solution here is to allow them several hours to burn in. The smell should slowly fade as the materials gradually adjust to the heat. If the odor is noticeable after four hours, remove the logs immediately.
If your gas fireplace doesn’t burn as effectively as it normally does and produces stronger smells, it’s time for a clean-up.
Start by removing artificial logs and stones. This alone can help remove dust and buildup. During colder months, clean the fireplace more regularly, ideally once every month, especially when you use it frequently.
As you can see above, sometimes, gas odors can be harmless. However, if the smell doesn’t dissipate, there’s something far more dangerous: gas leaks. You may even find that the gas smell lingers when the fireplace is already off.
If you smell gas, take action right away. Here are the steps to stay safe:
Here are other necessary details to know if your gas fireplace smells like gas.
The strongest sign is if you catch a distinct smell of rotten eggs or sulfur that doesn’t go away for hours. This odor is usually accompanied by continuous whistling sounds.
Additionally, if you see a hike in your gas bills, that could point to a potential leak with your gas fireplace. Sometimes, the signs can involve your body, such as when you feel dizzy, nauseous, or fatigue without any clear reason.
Fumes can be harmful as they increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The problem with CO is that most people don’t realize prolonged exposure to the harmful chemical since it’s colorless and odorless in nature.
Aside from that, fumes also produce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and most people don’t realize until they have breathing problems.
Proper maintenance toward all gas appliances in your house, including gas stove maintenance aside from the fireplace, is crucial to prevent any fumes from circulating.
Look for oral signs like a strong gas or rotten egg odor. Watch out for any physical signs, as well, like soot stains or discolored flames. Installing a carbon monoxide detector will also help, since it’ll make a beep when a gas is detected.
Just like how a gas stove has a lifespan, a gas fireplace also has its age and becomes more prone to wear and tear. Its components can loosen and deteriorate, increasing the chances of leaks or combustion issues.
When you ignite it the first time, then yes, you should crack the window open by a few inches to give way for air circulation.
If you see signs of gas leaking, call Melbourne Gas Plumber immediately. We’ll help fix your issue by identifying the source of the leak, securing the area, and carrying out compliant reparation procedures.
To prevent the problem from resurfacing, if requested, we could also cap your gas line to any unused gas appliances. Remember, don’t take any foul-smelling odors lightly!
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