Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Thank you for your 10 star rating!
I believe I know who this "verified private user" is and I appreciate the review and respect privacy.
Unfortunately this client has told me the same story that I hear on a weekly basis.
The story starts with the homeowner fireplace not working properly. Understandably they want it fixed and a online search reveals a local long established fireplace business with extensive marketing that claims to repair "all makes and models". Homeowner calls the Company and schedule a time and somehow the company doesn't have a repair Technician available for a couple weeks, but they send out a salesperson within 2 days. The salesperson (who is not licensed for gas), does a quick inspection and determines the fireplace is older and it would be best to replace the whole thing (surprise, surprise!). Oddly, the salesperson tells the homeowner a new fireplace can be installed within 3 days! Remember the Company couldn't send out a Gas Tech to repair the fireplace for a couple weeks?!!! The Company provides the Homeowner with a quote of $8000 to replace the fireplace. The Homeowner trusting their instincts, does another search on "gas fireplace repair" and finds ME- with no flashy marketing but great reviews! After a short phone conversation, we scheduled a service within a week and the repair was replacing a $2 wall switch from Home Depot! Now since I was there anyway, I of course did a maintenance on that fireplace and another maintenance on the basement fireplace. The cost in total was under $400 FOR BOTH FIREPLACES!
This fireplace story is typical, but there's another common variation where the Company actually sends a Gas Tech to fix the fireplace and this "expert" tells the Homeowner that "the fireplace is old and parts aren't available". The Fireplace Company still charging a "service call fee" for not fixing anything and offers to reimburse the "fee" if you decide to buy a new fireplace.
The takeaways;
Trust your instincts!
Don't be afraid to seek a second or third opinion!
if you thinks this information can help someone you know, please pass it along.

Cheers!
Jeremy

Hey Gord!
Thanks for the great review!
While millivolt fireplace systems are my specialty, you saw first hand how involved it is to replace the "safety loop system" ( thermalcouple with wires and vent safety switch). Removing the fireplace to get at the vent safety switch is never fun, but when I show up I intend 100% to get the repair done!

Best regards,

Jeremy

Thank you for the compliments!

Jeremy

Thanks for the stellar review!

Unfortunately I still see this scenario on a weekly basis. 

The issue is that any new gas appliance installation MUST meet current code standards. The gas code changed over 20 years ago to require copper gas line to be "TYPE G" and manufactured to the standard ASTM B837. In addition, the brass flare nuts on each end of the gas line were required to be manufacturered by "forging" process and NOT "milled" during manufacture. These requirements are spelled out in black and white in all the code books since the 2000 edition. I have had TSSA inspect specific instances of this and the Inspectors were enforcing this requirement as of 2002 - mainly to give a 2 year grace period to unknowing Gas Technicians. 

Well folks, we are now 20 years later and this is still happening.

Every homeowner should be aware of this and every Gas Technician SHOULD KNOW THIS! 

The big problem with the old copper formulation is the reaction to hydrogen sulphide in gas to create copper sulfidation in the pipes. This reaction over time builds a thin sulphide coating inside the pipe, which eventually flakes off and slows the gas flow to the appliance.  Similar to "clogged arteries " a reduced gas flow can cause many different safety and operational problems. 

How do you identify if the copper has been updated? THE APPROVED COPPER IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED EVERY 20 INCHES IN PRINTED INK AS WELL AS LABELING INCISED INTO THE PIPE!

I would encourage every homeowner to ask to see these identification markings on every new copper gas line installation. 

To identify the flare nuts, a milled flare nut will have horizontal lines across it and a forged nut looks like one solid piece without discernable lines. This is important because the forging process makes a stronger nut, whereas the milled nut is weakened by the milling process and has the greater potential to crack and leak.

So back to the installation. To put a "tee" in for the stove branch line the "illegal" line would have to be disconnected and then reconnected , but of course I can not reconnect the "illegal" outdated gas line.

As a reasonable resolution to avoid issuing a infraction and delaying the stove installation, I replaced the outdated copper and nuts at a deep discount to the homeowner.  I suggested the homeowner contact the previous company for reimbursement.  Surprisingly, the company was apologetic and provided full reimbursement immediately. 

Sounds like a happy ending? Not quite!

These homeowners paid A LOT of money for a new furnace, air conditioner and water heater.  These appliance requirements are critical to the comfort and safety in all aspects of the home. The fact that a large, long established business that advertises all-over tv and radio can disregard the safety of gas lines is astounding! 
Was this a purposeful fraud or "accidental" incompetence? I guess their advertising forgot to mention that the colour of their trucks save you $$$ with either fraud or incompetence. 

If this information can help someone you know, please pass it along.

Cheers!
Jeremy 

Thanks for the great review!
Things don't always go quick at this time of year.
cheers!
Jeremy

Thanks for the 10 of of 10!
I do take some time to schedule services because I try to keep 2 hour windows. Personally, I hate having to wait half a day or a full day for a furniture delivery and such - Arrggg!
I often text 20-30 minutes ahead of my arrival.
Floor protection with drop sheet and shoe covers are mandatory and are included with every service call.
Cheers!
Jeremy

Thank you for the great rating!
Sometimes I may talk too much when I see interesting fireplace issues!
Something to keep in mind as a fireplace owner, if you have trouble starting the fireplace at the start of the heating season, it is very often a lack of maintenance issue. If the fireplace stops working after months into the heating season, it is often a part failure.
Best regards,
Jeremy

Thanks for the great review!
Your fireplace was a classic example of how a older fireplace can be greatly affected by a small change in the pilot light flame. As much as I call myself a "doctor", I am more like a detective in my methodologies.
Thanks for having me investigate!

Best regards,
Jeremy

A pilot flame that is less intense (candling) than it should be will not be able to heat the thermalcouple and thermopile sufficiently. This can cause pilot outages and/or main burner going off by itself. The other company that previously tried to repair the problem, had replaced the thermopile (probably because of low millivolts), but really the issues are tied to the intensity of the pilot flame.

QUICK TIP FOR OTHER FIREPLACE TECHNICIANS;
Use a plumbing torch to artificially heat up the tip of the thermalcouple and thermopile BEFORE YOU START REPLACING PARTS!
Other issues with this fireplace were;
-glass window not hooked on properly.
-logs in wrong position.
-pilot assembly not fastened down, screw missing.
-copper gas line sulfidation.
IF YOU CAN'T RECOGNIZE THESE ISSUES , YOU SHOULDN'T BE WORKING WITH FIREPLACES!
Cheers!

Thank you for the great review!

Jeremy

Thank you for taking the time for this important review!
Your situation brings up important issues that most Homeowners don't even consider. In Particular, the importance of a secondary heat source and a reliable secondary heat source.
A good secondary heat source is like a good insurance against a furnace breakdown. With the recent supply chain issues there have been many instances where Homeowners have had to wait weeks for furnace parts. In some cases, homeowners had to replace the entire furnace because replacement parts were not going to be available for months!
A gas fireplace is a great secondary heat source, however there are different types of fireplaces that are more reliable than others.
For instance, a MILLIVOLT fireplace does not require power because the pilot light generates the power independently of your house electrical system and can work during a power outage.
A ELECTRONIC IGNITION gas fireplace can also be used as a secondary heat source, but is less reliable as it requires house electricity power to operate or specific batteries as a backup power source. In addition, mostly all electronic components are manufactured "overseas" and therefore subject to any supply issues. Increasing demand on our electrical grid may also cause future problems with ELECTRONIC IGNITION fireplaces.
Regardless of type, gas fireplaces do require servicing and thank you for hiring us!

Jeremy