Outdoor gas fire pit service: what we check and why, from our crew

Outdoor gas fire troughs and fire pits are everywhere in the Hill Country now, built into stone walls and patios with a view. They sit outside through rain, heat, leaves and insects, then get lit a handful of evenings a year. We service them alongside fireplaces, so we asked the crew to walk through what a fire pit service actually involves.

What usually goes wrong with these?

• The flame comes up in patches instead of along the whole burner. Usually blocked burner ports under the rock.
• It will not light, or lights and goes out. Debris, a wet igniter, a weak thermocouple or a dead battery in the ignition, depending on the system.
• Lazy, sooty yellow flame. Often spiders or debris in the air mixer, or the media packed wrong over the burner.
• Water standing in the pan after rain. The drain is blocked.

What does a service visit look like?

Gas off at the valve first. Then the media comes out, whether it is lava rock or glass, and we get to the pan and the burner underneath. Leaves, dirt and ash come out, the burner ports get cleared, the drain gets checked, and the air mixer gets cleaned out if it has one. The media goes back loose, not packed, because packed rock starves the flame. Then we light it and watch the flame across the whole length, the way it is in the photo with this article.

Do you check for leaks?

Yes, at the connections we can reach: the valve, the fittings and the flex connector to the burner, with a leak-detection solution, on every visit. If we find something on the supply line itself, the pipe running from the house or the meter, that is a job for a licensed plumber, and we will tell you so and show you where.

How often should it be serviced?

Once a year is right for most of them, ideally before the cool season starts. More often if it sits under trees or near a pool, where leaves and chemicals end up in the pan.

What can the owner do between visits?

• Cover it when it is not in use, if it has a cover.
• Pull out leaves and debris from the top of the media by hand when the burner is off and cold.
• Do not run it with the media soaking wet after a storm. Let it dry.
• If you ever smell gas near it, turn it off at the valve and call before using it again.

Book it with your fireplace

If you are booking a chimney inspection or sweep, show us the fire pit on the same visit. The inspection is free, comes with photos, and covers Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Burnet, Georgetown, Leander and the Hill Country.