Gas fire not working

ButtersSuki

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place for this or not so kids feel free to move if appropriate.

i have a gas fire (fake coal etc.) in my fireplace in the sitting room. The house is a 2006 build and to be honest I only used the fire a couple of times a year from 2006-2010ish. For some reason I stopped using it altogether around that time but a couple of years ago wanted to turn in on one night and it wouldn’t light.

The “fire” was turned on by pushing the dial inwards and turning it until the audible gas connected with the flame etc. Apologies if my description isn’t correct but I hope you understand what I’m alluding to. Now however there’s nothing.

I had someone look at it when I was getting my boiler serviced after this and they said I needed to “clean the coal” and place it back into the fireplace and it would be grand. I didn’t do this as it sounded like complete nonsense to me at the time (and still does!).

Anyway, I’d like to start using it again. Any thoughts on how to repair/reuse? Bord Gais are my supplier - could I get someone from there to look at it?

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Tom44

Not nonsense, and I can't see why you would dismiss advice, if there's dirty deposit around pilot light or pizzo igniter it won't light.

If flame tray hasn't been cleaned in years it would be dangerous to expect a perfect flame.

So you'd be safer calling Borg gas to check it.

spuddy4711

When you press the knob, can you hear the hiss of gas ?

if no, check if there’s a on/off valve, sometimes located beside the chimney breast.

If you can hear the gas, can you see the little spark when you turn the knob to ignition ?

ButtersSuki

thanks to everyone who has replied to date, they’re very much appreciated.

Apologies, I wasn’t as clear as I should have been. I just felt I was being fobbed off as he didn’t want to do the job as it was too small/difficult etc., and hence why I said what I said. Clearly I’m no expert!

the flame tray (whatever that is!) hasn’t been cleaned since we moved in. This I know as there has been no cleaning of the fire itself.

The valve is on, but no hiss like there used to be. I don’t recall seeing a spark but I’ll check again.

Thanks for you replies.

spuddy4711

The coals sit on the flame tray. It has a number of jets through which the gas passes. If these jets are blocked with dust the fire won’t work.

Cleaning may sort everything. First remove all the coal, this will allow you vacuum with

a soft brush the flame tray. Do this gently.

Then replace the coals, and check if you can hear the hiss before ignition. If still faulty, you

will need an RGI expert.