What do I need to do to get my gas fire pit running again after it sat unused all winter?
In Brevard, water is the enemy: 80-plus inches of rain a year corrodes regulators, rusts orifices, and pools in a fire pit's burner pan. After a wet Transylvania winter, dry and clear the pan and its drains, inspect the regulator and hose for corrosion and rodent chew, gauge the propane, and clear the ports before you light.
Rainfall is the real winter damage
Brevard gets more than 80 inches of rain a year, with a wet season that runs March into June, and the same moisture that cracks chimney crowns and rusts dampers here goes straight to work on an uncovered pit. Standing water in the burner pan corrodes the burner ring and orifices, drowns the igniter, and rusts fasteners. Start by drying everything out, clearing the pan's drain holes, and inspecting the burner for rust before you even think about fuel. The crawl spaces and chimney chases around town take on moisture the same way, so this is a familiar pattern locally.
Propane country, checked cover-off
Brevard leans propane, and the cabins scattered up toward Connestee Falls and Sherwood Forest run on tanks. A damp winter is hard on a regulator, so look for cracking and corrosion, and check the hose for the chew marks mice leave in the off-season. Brush a little soapy water on the connections, open the gas with no flame, and watch for bubbles. Re-seat the fire glass or lava rock evenly, then light with the wind guard off and the area ventilated.
Waterproofed and permitted
We're 40 minutes southwest, and if we're replacing a corroded regulator or a section of buried line, that's licensed work permitted with Transylvania County. A fitted cover is worth its cost here, since it keeps most of this out next winter. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free look. See [choosing a fire pit](/guides/choosing-a-fire-pit).
Fireplace help in Brevard
We install and service fireplaces throughout Brevard and the rest of Transylvania County — just 40 minutes southwest from our Asheville-area showroom.
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