Pilot light on in gas fireplace - normal? plus black soot in room at studs

Hi all,

Just moved into a house which has a gas fireplace in the basement - turns on with a flick of the switch. I notice that there's a small flame constantly burning...a blue flame. When I turn the switch on the fireplace lights and it's an orange flame. Is the small blue flame supposed to be on constantly?

Second, the front of the fireplace is a set of two folding glass doors that have about a 1/4" gap in between the sections. Also noticed during home inspection that all along the exterior side wall only (not along the interior walls), wherever the studs are, there is blackening.

So far the explanation I've got is that soot from the fireplace seems to have an affinity toward the cooler, exterior walls and thus it settles there...does that sound reasonable? How do I get rid of this problem?

Thanks.

Himanshu

Reply to
H Gohel
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Get someone in to clean and adjust/fix the burning problem.

As there should be no sooting going on!

Also, as the burners burn inefficiently they also produce larger amounts of 'CO' Carbon Monoxide, which is very deadly.

I suggest you shut it off and get it checked out ASAP.

~kjpro~

Reply to
~KJPRO~

The Pilot is normal , but it wastes gas. Non sealing doors are the norm, a waste of energy up the flue. I fitted a foamboard plug.

The black is mold I bet , you have studs on an exterior basement wall finished in drywall , right. Is it old ? Many basements seep moisture and never should be finished. If you remove a piece of drywall I bet it is all black. Do they have a dehumidifier down there, do you smell a musty smell. I bet If AC is left off and no dehumidifier you will smell it.

Soot has an afinity for cooler areas ? Thats a good line of creative bull shit. The wall leaks or seeps moisture, that is it.

Reply to
m Ransley

All fireplaces need proper venting. Your fireplace needs some adjustment.

Reply to
Phisherman

I just wanted to mention that there are both vented and vent-free gas logs on the market. If you decide to seal your flue to increase energy efficiency, please confirm that your logs are vent-free.

As always, it's good to have at least one CO detector in your home.

mark _____________________ Mark Cato snipped-for-privacy@andrew.cmu.edu

Reply to
Mark Cato

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