What do I need to do to get my gas fire pit running again after it sat unused all winter?
In Swannanoa, storm recovery has homeowners rebuilding and adding hearths, and a pit that sat through a river-valley winter needs the same care as those rebuilds. River-valley fog and cold-air pooling leave moisture in the burner pan and orifices, so dry it out, clear the spider-clogged ports and venturi, and check fuel connections before lighting.
Rebuilding, and re-lighting
Swannanoa's recovery from storm damage has driven real demand for new fireplaces and stoves in rebuilt homes, and that same careful eye should go to an outdoor pit that weathered the aftermath. If yours sat exposed or took on water, inspect the gas connections for corrosion the way you would anything else touched by the flooding. The older Grovemont-area homes, with their original masonry indoors, often have a propane pit out back that's due for a thorough spring going-over.
River-valley damp lingers
The fog, cold-air pooling, and damp air that make this valley hard on masonry chimneys work on a fire pit's steel too, leaving moisture in the burner ring and orifices and drowning the igniter. Dry the pan, clear its drain holes, and brush the ports before trusting fuel. On a propane unit, gauge the tank and check the hose and regulator; re-spread the lava rock evenly so nothing smothers the flame.
15 minutes east, permitted
We're just 15 minutes east of Emma Rd. A buried natural-gas line is licensed work we permit with Buncombe County and pressure-test, and permitted work protects both a rebuilt home's value and its insurance. If the flame won't hold or a fitting looks corroded, call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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