Tips for Servicing Lopi Wood and Gas Fireplaces

Lopi fireplaces are designed and manufactured to the highest standard. They are made to meet all your heating needs while adding to your home decor.

Photo by Kristaps Ungurs on Unsplash

As with all things, the best way to keep them in good working order is through regular care and maintenance.

This article provides you with some valuable tips for servicing Lopi wood and gas fireplaces.

Lopi Wood Fireplaces

Wood heaters need constant care with a healthy serving of diligence thrown in. Therefore, you should watch for some specific things, while others are simply part of the routine. The best way to certify that your Lopi Wood Heater is well maintained is by undertaking specific care tasks at different times of the year. Doing so not only keeps you organised but also makes you less likely to miss something. 

Daily maintenance in seasons of heavy use

Remove ash if need be – a layer of ash between 13-25mm thick is okay as it will help slow the burn rate. Once the ash layer exceeds 25mm, you need to clear some away from the firebox.

Clean the glass – Lopi wood heaters have an air-wash that keeps the glass clean. However, if you use unseasoned wood or keep low burn rates, your glass gets dirtier,  thus requiring additional cleaning.

Monthly Maintenance while in constant use  

Door and glass inspection – ensure that the door and door gasket forms an air-tight seal to the firebox so that the heater’s normal operation is not compromised. If the need arises, you can lift the door off the hinges to allow for extensive repairs.

Creosote removal – creosote is a chemical compound made up of a mixture of tar, organic vapours and moisture. When you burn wood slowly, it forms creosote which then accumulates on the flue lining. It is flammable and creates scorching fires when ignited. Therefore, allowing it to build up results in the formation of a fire hazard.

Once every two months, you have to perform a thorough inspection of the chimney. This action is only necessary during the burning season to determine if there is a creosote build-up. If creosote has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk of a fire. Here’s a little pro tip: When the fire is out, tap lightly on your cool flue pipe and listen. If you hear particles falling then, this may be an indicator that there is some creosote. If that is the case, contact your chimney sweep and check that your wood doesn’t have too much moisture.

End of Season

When the seasons start changing, and your fireplace is no longer in use, you must clean the firebox and remove all the ashes. Any ash that remains may cause rust to form during the warmer months as humidity levels rise, thus drawing in moisture.

Yearly Maintenance

Do some paint touch-ups – there is a can of Stove-Bright® paint included in the owner’s pack of your Lopi wood heater. To touch up nicks or dulled paint, sand away any rusted areas, then apply the paint while the appliance is cool.

Clean the air ducts – for this; you may use a vacuum to eliminate the risk of burning dust.   

Inspect firebricks and baffle supports – check the bricks along the firebox ceiling to make sure they are intact. If you discover any gaps, a simple slide will eliminate them.

Lopi Gas Fireplaces

In most cases, maintaining a gas heater is not as demanding as wood fireplaces. However, proper inspection and maintenance are still critical for optimum function. So, it is best to plan for annual servicing.

What does servicing entail?

First, you have to remove all objects that are added to enhance burning, such as logs, embers and stones. Once everything is cleared away, inspect the gas valve, line, pilot and gas pressure to certify that all is as it should be. Next, look for and remove any build-up of debris or soot that may cause blockages.

After you’ve looked at the interior, inspect the exterior features to ensure that everything is in good condition. Primarily, check that the door gaskets still form a tight seal. This seal certifies that air within the heater circulates well and no gas or smoke leaks occur.

While you have everything dismantled, it is an excellent time to perform some general cleaning of all the components. Clear away all blockages you encounter on the burner plate, air channels, access panel and blowers. Failure to eliminate any build-ups may cause the parts to get damaged, leading to costly repairs.

What about professional servicing?

Although the servicing tips above are quite comprehensive and good enough on their own, it is also a good idea to have a professional eye look over things for you. Therefore, don’t neglect to arrange for someone from your local Lopi specialist to perform annual service checks. That way, you can keep your fireplace in good condition long into the future.