QUESTION FROM carole

our fireplace is propane - it stays lit for from 15 minutes to an hour and then just goes out and won't relight. the company is out of business - my husband thinks it is the gas supply and it is partially stopped up. The outside tank is full. help !!

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Carole:

I would suggest that you have a trained professional physically inspect your gas fireplace.

From just your description, it sounds like the problem could be an obstruction in your gas fireplace's vent system. Whenever the flow of exhaust gases up a chimney of a gas fireplace is impeded by either a blockage, wind, or atmospheric conditions, then exhaust gases build up in the fire box until the pilot flame is extinguished from lack of oxygen. As soon as the pilot goes out, the thermopile cools and stops generating the millivolt of electrical current that is required for the valve to open that allows the flow of gas to the burner. And when this valve closes, then the main flame for your gas fireplace goes out too. This is a safety precaution, to prevent the poisonous gases created by the fire from entering your breathing space whenever anything interferes with the flow of exhaust up your chimney.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com