27 January 2021

TIPS FOR SERVICING LOPI WOOD & GAS FIREPLACES

A Lopi Fireplace is a valued addition to any home; decorative, unique, cost effective and producing a penetrating heat that drives the cold away. Just like any other appliance in your home, a gas or wood heater needs to be cared for to prolong its lifespan and enhance its operation.

LOPI GAS FIREPLACES

To keep your Lopi Gas Fireplaces in Sydney running at their optimum, it’s important to have them serviced annually. Neglecting to properly inspect and maintain your fireplace could lead to the build-up of dirt and soot, causing your fireplace to not function correctly.

Service Overview

Servicing your fireplace involves first removing all media such as ceramic stones, logs and embers from your fireplace. Next is the inspection of the pilot, gas line and gas valve, as well as checking the gas pressure and removing any blockages caused by the build-up of soot or debris in the burner plate.

The gaskets for the door also need to be checked for a proper seal. A tight seal will ensure good air circulation within the gas heater and will prevent any smoke or gas leakage. Checking your gaskets is important to the proper functioning of your fireplace as well as your health and safety.

It’s also important to do a good general cleaning of all the components of your fireplace including the burner plate, access panel and components, air channels and blowers. Any blockages in these components from a build-up of debris can potentially cause damage to the parts; meaning added time and money spent replacing them.

Professional Servicing

You can typically arrange with your local Lopi specialist a service person to attend your home for these yearly service checks allowing you to keep your fireplace running for many years to come.

Find your nearest Lopi specialist here.  

LOPI WOOD STOVES

It’s important to regularly maintain your Lopi Wood Heater. Below is a suggestion for daily maintenance during the burning season, with some additional monthly maintenance ideas. There are also a few things you should do at the end of the season (or prior to the following one).

Daily Maintenance (during burning season)

Remove ash if necessary – a layer of ash is desirable (between 13-25mm) as it will slow the burn rate. Once the ash builds up over 25mm, you need to remove some from the firebox.

Clean the glass – your Lopi wood heater has an air-wash to keep the glass clean. However, burning un-seasoned wood or burning on lower burn rates leads to dirtier glass which will require additional cleaning.

Monthly Maintenance (during burning season)  

Door and glass inspection – the door must form an air-tight seal to the firebox for the stove to work correctly. Inspect the door gasket to make sure it forms an air-tight seal to the firebox. The door can be lifted off the hinges if extensive repairs are conducted.

Removal of creosote – when wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapours, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire.

The chimney or flue pipe should be inspected at least once every two months during the heating season to determine if a creosote build-up has occurred. If creosote has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk of a flue fire. If you are not certain of creosote inspection, contact your closest Lopi outlet or local chimney sweep for a full inspection. 

Tip! Tap lightly on your flue pipe (with the fire out and cooled) and listen, if you can hear particles falling then this is likely creosote and you should have your chimney sweep and check the moisture content in your wood.

End of Season

At the end of every heating season or when you stop burning your fireplace ensure the firebox is clean and cleared of any remaining ashes. If ash is left in the firebox during the warmer months rust can form as humidity levels rise drawing in moisture.

Yearly Maintenance

Touch-up paint – a can of Stove-Bright® paint is included in the owner’s pack of your Lopi wood heater. To touch up nicks or dulled paint, apply the paint while the appliance is cool. Sand rusted or damaged areas before application.

Clean air duct and blower – use a vacuum to clean the air ducts (channels). This prevents dust from burning and creating odours. The optional blower should be vacuumed every year to remove any build-up of dust, lint, etc.

Inspect firebricks and baffle supports – check the bricks along the ceiling of the firebox to make sure they are intact and have no gaps between them. Slide the bricks to eliminate any gaps.

Make sure the front and back baffle supports are in place and not degraded. Slight scaling or rusting of the metal is normal.

To learn more about the Lopi Gas Fireplace range, visit the Gas Products page on our website.

To learn more about the Lopi Wood Heater range, visit the Wood Products page on our website.