Frequently Asked Questions

Not all fireplace service appointments are created equal.

At Fireplace Mike, our Gold Standard Service goes well beyond simply cleaning the glass, turning on the fireplace, and checking whether a flame appears.

Our company is led by an NFI Certified Gas Specialist with extensive hands-on experience in fireplace systems, diagnostics, and professional maintenance.

Every fireplace is different, but our process can involve more than 30 inspection, cleaning, testing, and evaluation steps depending on the appliance and its components.

Our service may include:

Reviewing the customer's concerns and fireplace history.

Identifying the manufacturer and model.

Inspecting accessible appliance components.

Removing and cleaning applicable service components.

Cleaning glass and accessible burner areas.

Inspecting logs and verifying placement where applicable.

Evaluating pilot operation and ignition performance.

Testing thermocouple and thermopile operation where applicable.

Measuring millivolt output where applicable.

Evaluating electronic ignition components where applicable.

Inspecting gas connections and performing appropriate leak checks.

Evaluating burner condition and flame characteristics.

Checking operation of applicable safety controls.

Evaluating oxygen-depletion safety systems on equipped vent-free appliances.

Looking for signs of venting or drafting concerns where applicable.

Inspecting accessible wiring and control components.

Evaluating remote controls, receivers, switches, and thermostatic functions where applicable.

Checking applicable blower operation.

Inspecting visible signs of overheating, corrosion, damage, or wear.

Reassembling the fireplace correctly.

Testing operation after service.

Explaining our findings, recommendations, and the overall condition of the system.

Not every procedure applies to every fireplace, and some repairs or specialized testing may require additional work.

Our goal is to help you understand what you have, how it's performing, what may need attention, and how to operate it properly.

We don't believe professional fireplace service should end with someone simply saying, 'It's working.'

Many homeowners don't realize just how specialized gas fireplace work has become.

Modern gas fireplaces combine gas delivery, combustion, ventilation, electronic controls, ignition systems, safety devices, and manufacturer-specific operating requirements.

Working on these systems requires more than general home-repair knowledge.

The National Fireplace Institute (NFI) offers nationally recognized professional certification for the hearth industry.

Certification involves studying relevant technical knowledge and successfully completing the required examinations.

NFI certifications are valid for three years and can be renewed through approved continuing education or retesting.

At Fireplace Mike, owner Mike Bross holds NFI Gas Fireplace Specialist certification and has invested years in professional education, field experience, and ongoing industry training.

That commitment helps guide how our team approaches inspections, diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, and customer education.

For our customers, the benefit is simple: a company that treats fireplace service as a specialized profession and takes its responsibility seriously.

Certification involves studying relevant technical knowledge and successfully completing the required examinations.

NFI certifications are valid for three years and can be renewed through approved continuing education or retesting.

At Fireplace Mike, owner Mike Bross holds NFI Gas Fireplace Specialist certification and has invested years in professional education, field experience, and ongoing industry training.

That commitment helps guide how our team approaches inspections, diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, and customer education.

For our customers, the benefit is simple: a company that treats fireplace service as a specialized profession and takes its responsibility seriously.

Gas fireplaces are not all designed to operate the same way.

Direct-vent gas fireplaces generally use sealed combustion systems that bring combustion air from outside the home and vent combustion products outdoors through an approved venting system.

Vented gas log sets are typically installed in suitable wood-burning fireplaces. They use room air for combustion and release combustion products through the fireplace's chimney or flue.

Vent-free gas systems, also called ventless systems, use air from the room for combustion and are designed to operate without a dedicated outdoor exhaust vent. Some vent-free log sets can also be installed in approved fireplaces with the damper open, subject to the manufacturer's requirements and applicable codes.

Each system has different inspection, maintenance, operating, and safety considerations.

That's why we identify the type of fireplace before deciding which service procedures and tests are appropriate.

At Fireplace Mike, we work with these different systems and explain the findings in terms homeowners can understand.

Your gas fireplace should be something you can enjoy—not something you wonder about every time you turn it on.

Our Gold Standard Gas Fireplace Service is $365 plus tax and is designed to give your fireplace the detailed attention it deserves.

We don’t simply clean the glass and call it serviced. We clean, inspect, test, and evaluate the fireplace as a complete system based on its design and installed components.

Before we leave, our goal is for you to understand how your fireplace is doing, whether anything needs attention, and what your options are.

One thorough service. Clear pricing. No surprise work without your approval.

Because we believe a fireplace service should be more than a quick cleaning or a technician simply showing up to diagnose a problem.

Gas fireplaces are our specialty.

Our Gold Standard Service combines detailed fireplace care with something we believe is just as important: clear communication and straightforward pricing.

We look at the things you can see, such as the glass, logs, and flame—and the components behind the scenes that help your fireplace ignite, burn, vent, and respond to its controls.

Then we explain what we found in everyday language.

Clean. Checked. Tested. Explained.

That’s our Gold Standard.

Every gas fireplace is built a little differently, so we tailor the service to the equipment installed in your home.

Your Gold Standard Service includes the applicable cleaning, inspection, and operational checks for your fireplace, including:

Glass cleaning: We remove normal buildup and residue to help restore a clearer, better-looking view of the fire.

Log and firebox care: We carefully clean accessible dust and debris and inspect the condition and placement of the logs and firebox components.

Pilot and ignition care: We clean applicable pilot and ignition components and inspect for buildup, deterioration, or visible damage that may affect operation.

Burner inspection: We inspect the burner and flame-producing components for buildup, wear, damage, and proper operation.

Gas system checks: We inspect accessible gas connections and components and check operating pressures when appropriate for the fireplace and condition being evaluated.

Venting and safety checks: We evaluate applicable accessible venting and safety components for conditions that could affect proper operation.

Ignition and flame testing: We operate the fireplace and evaluate ignition, flame appearance, and overall performance.

Controls and remote testing: We check applicable switches, remotes, receivers, and installed controls.

Blower testing: If your fireplace has a blower or fan, we check its operation as part of the service.

Questions and homeowner education: We explain what we found, answer your questions, and help you better understand the operation and controls of your fireplace.

The goal isn’t simply to leave you with cleaner glass. It’s to give you a better understanding of your fireplace and how it is operating.

$365 is the price of our Gold Standard Gas Fireplace Service—not simply a trip charge or a low advertised starting price.

That price includes the professional service described above, including the applicable inspection, diagnostics, cleaning, operational testing, and customer education.

The quoted $365 service price includes applicable tax.

If we discover that your fireplace needs replacement parts, specialized repairs, modifications, upgrades, or additional work outside the included service, we explain your options and any additional charges before proceeding.

You decide whether to approve that work.

Our pricing philosophy is straightforward: explain the service, explain the findings, and make sure our customers understand the costs before authorizing additional work.

No pressure. No surprise repairs. Just professional service and clear communication.

Because “service call” can mean very different things from one company to another.

A lower advertised price may cover an initial visit or diagnosis, while cleaning, additional testing, repair labor, and replacement parts may be charged separately.

That doesn’t automatically make a lower-priced service bad. It simply means homeowners should compare what is actually included, not just the number in the advertisement.

Before choosing any fireplace company, we recommend asking:

Does the advertised price include a complete cleaning?

Does it include inspection and operational testing?

What labor is included?

What could result in an additional charge?

Will I know the price and approve additional work before it is performed?

The number that matters isn’t just what it costs to get a technician through your door. It’s what you receive for your money and what you can expect to pay when the work is complete.

With Fireplace Mike, we want that to be clear before you book.

No. In fact, our business was intentionally built around a different philosophy.

After years of working in the fireplace industry, we made the decision not to operate a traditional retail showroom.

Why?

Because we wanted to build a company whose primary focus was providing exceptional service—not depending on product sales to keep a showroom running.

Our first priority is understanding and preserving the fireplace you already own whenever doing so is practical, appropriate, and economical.

Sometimes an expensive replacement can be avoided through correct diagnosis and a relatively straightforward repair.

Other times, replacement genuinely makes more sense. When that's the case, we'll explain why.

We're happy to provide quality gas log sets, fireplaces, remotes, controls, and upgrades when customers want or need them. But our recommendation begins with your needs and the condition of your existing equipment—not a sales target.

If we recommend additional work, we'll explain what we found, why it matters, what your options are, and what each option costs.

Our business is built around providing a professional service and earning customers' trust for years to come.

If you're looking for genuine fireplace service rather than a sales presentation, you've come to the right place.

Yes, —but tell us what the fireplace is doing when you book.

For example:

“My pilot won’t stay lit.”

“My fireplace shuts itself off.”

“My remote stopped working.”

“The pilot is on, but the burner won’t light.”

“My fireplace hasn’t been used in several years.”

That information helps us prepare for your appointment.

The Gold Standard Service includes cleaning, inspection, and operational checks, but cleaning alone cannot fix every mechanical or electrical problem.

If your fireplace needs a replacement part or additional repair, we’ll explain what we found and discuss the next step with you.

We won’t promise that cleaning will magically repair a failed component. We’ll tell you what the fireplace actually needs.

A fireplace turning on doesn’t necessarily tell you everything about its condition. Do you have your gas furnace and air conditioner serviced? You should, and a gas fireplace is in the same maintenance category.

Dust, residue, wear, ignition issues, control problems, and other developing concerns may not be obvious during normal use.

Service gives us an opportunity to clean the fireplace, evaluate its operation, and identify visible concerns before you depend on it during colder weather.

It’s also a great opportunity to finally ask questions like:

“Is my flame supposed to look like this?”

“What does this switch do?”

“Why does my blower take so long to turn on?”

“How does this remote actually work?”

Sometimes the most valuable part of service is simply knowing more about the fireplace in your own home.

Absolutely! We help homeowners in this situation regularly.

Maybe you've never owned a gas fireplace before. Maybe the previous owner left no instructions, the remote is missing, or you simply aren't comfortable operating something you're unfamiliar with.

You don't need to know the manufacturer, model, or technical terminology before calling us.

That's part of what we're here for.

During the appropriate service appointment, we can help identify the system, inspect its condition, evaluate its operation, and explain how its controls and safety features work.

We'll show you how to operate the fireplace, discuss any concerns we find, and answer your questions.

You shouldn't have to guess how something involving gas and fire is supposed to work.

Our goal is for you to finish the appointment understanding your fireplace much better than when we arrived, feeling confident about how to operate it, and knowing whether anything needs attention. 

At Fireplace Mike, we believe customer education is just as important as professional fireplace service.

Yes.

You hired us because we’re supposed to know fireplaces. You shouldn’t have to.

If we find something that needs attention, we’ll explain it in normal language and answer your questions.

Our goal is for you to understand enough to make an informed decision without feeling confused or pressured.

No—and we don’t believe in making promises that no service company can honestly make.

Gas fireplaces contain mechanical, electrical, and gas-control components that can eventually wear or fail.

Our cleaning, inspection, and testing help us evaluate the fireplace’s condition and operation at the time of service.

If we identify a concern, we’ll explain what we found, what it means, and what we recommend—including if something should be repaired before further use.

Because gas fireplaces aren’t just another service we happen to offer—they’re our specialty.

Fireplace Mike is a veteran-owned business focused on gas fireplace service, backed by Mike’s NFI Gas Specialist certification and more than a decade of hearth-industry experience.

We believe great service comes down to more than technical knowledge.

It means showing up prepared, taking care of your home, doing thorough work, communicating clearly, answering your questions, and being straightforward about what things cost.

We want you to finish your appointment thinking:

“Now I understand my fireplace, I know what condition it’s in, and I know exactly what I paid for.”

That’s the experience our Gold Standard Service is built around.

$365

That includes the cleaning, inspection, testing, and service labor described above.

If your fireplace needs replacement parts, repairs, modifications, or additional work outside the Gold Standard Service, we’ll explain the recommendation and price before proceeding.

No mystery. No surprise work. You make the decision. Our service goes above and beyond.

Choose Gold Standard Fireplace Service when booking online. Use the contact us now option. Call or text 234-274-4229 

If you're experiencing a problem, briefly tell us what the fireplace is doing. If you know the manufacturer or model, include that too—but don't worry if you don't.

Ready to enjoy your fireplace with more confidence?

Book Your Gold Standard Gas Fireplace Service

$365 | Thorough Service | Straightforward Pricing | Gas Fireplace Specialists

Thorough care. Clear answers. A cozier home.