My gas fireplace pilot is lit but the main burner won't come on — what's wrong?
In Canton we can't diagnose this one without asking about water first. The Pigeon River flooding that swept the valley left many hearths with corroded gas valves, thermopiles, and wiring — so a pilot that lights but won't fire the burner may be flood residue on the millivolt contacts, not ordinary wear. Every affected gas connection needs inspection before relighting.
Floodwater leaves a signature the pilot hides
When a valley home takes on water, the pilot assembly often survives and lights, which fools people into thinking the fireplace is fine. But the main burner depends on a whisper of voltage traveling from the thermopile through spade connectors, a switch, and the valve terminals — and floodwater leaves mineral residue and corrosion on exactly those contacts. Even after everything dries, the connections can be too corroded to carry the signal, so the pilot proves while the burner stays dead. This is common across Downtown Canton and the Pigeon River Valley homes we've worked in.
Gas connections get checked, not assumed
Beyond the electrical side, a gas valve that sat in water can't be trusted to seal, and any submerged gas connection needs a proper inspection and pressure test before that appliance runs again. Canton is mixed-fuel — some homes on the gas main, some on propane — and on propane we also verify the regulator and connections weren't compromised. This is licensed gas work in North Carolina; it is our lane, not a handyman's, and never DIY.
Haywood County rebuilds, 20 minutes west
If your fireplace or gas line needs replacement after the flooding, we pull the Haywood County permit and meet the inspector, so the work protects your home sale and insurance down the road. Valley-floor fog and dampness here rust dampers and caps early, so we'll look at those too. We also document every relight, because a gas appliance that went through floodwater deserves a paper trail for your insurer and any future buyer. We're 20 minutes west with parts on the truck. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.