Expert: Bart Ogden - 10/22/2007

Question
QUESTION: How do we start our gas fireplace?  We have located the gas knob to turn it on, and where the metal plate is, however the directions on it have been burned off.  My husband and I have never lit a gas fireplace before, I just want to be sure we light the right place...

ANSWER: Hello Angel,

You'll need to find out who manufactured the fieplace and contact them.  Each one starts a little differently and you need to get those specific instructions.

Many times you'll be able to find this on the manufacturer's webite as well.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We went to the website, and we found out that Martins went out of business.  Is there a good website to find an owner's manual?  We've googled it, and haven't been able to come up with anything.  Our fireplace model is the LF36e.  Any suggestions?  Or should we just hire a local contractor to take a look at it, would he be able to tell us?

Thanks for your help...

ANSWER: Hi Angel,

Monessen Hearth Systems now owns Martin and still manufacturers Martin.  They would be your source of information.

www.monessenhearth.com is your starting point.


Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did check out that website, and also asked them for a replacement owners manual through the "Contact Us" page.  I have yet to hear from them.  We called a fireplace and heating serviceman, and he told us that we did not have a pilot kit.  He explained how important they are, as well as our fireplace is not within code and currently considered "illegal" according to the state of Wisconsin's requirements.  He told us that the pilot kit would cost about $150 and the labor would equal about the same.  Is there a way to do it cheaper?  Are all gas fittings the same for the gas firelogs?  My husband is a serviceman for ct scan equipment at hospitals, would he be able to install it himself?  He hasn't worked with gas piping before, would it be safer to hire someone to do it?

Answer
Hi Angel,

You need to wait for a response from the factory.  They will have the information you need.

This is not a repair that should be attempted by anyone except a professional gas service person.

After you receive the information, contact a local dealer for that unit and they can install the needed parts.

Typically a heating and air conditioning contractor does not work with these types of appliances.

You might also contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.  That particular sweep would need to be familiar with these types of problems, though.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com