Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

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the "illegal" line would have to be disconnected and then reconnected , but of course I can not reconnect the "illegal" outdated gas line.

As a reasonable resolution to avoid issuing a infraction and delaying the stove installation, I replaced the outdated copper and nuts at a deep discount to the homeowner.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 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

Hi Rachelle,

That is great news!
Selling a home can be very stressful and a delayed closing or renegotiation and be costly.
Congratulations!

Jeremy

Glad to help!
Cheers!
Jeremy

Thanks Heather!
I've been in this business soo long, I know all the problems that occur with your fireplace AND whats going to happen years down the road.
You brought up a great point about what was the best option for you. I provide a wider range of options than my competitors can offer. Whether you want a new fireplace or a used fireplace, a new part or a used part. Heck, I even offer free parts sometimes and only charge the service call and labour.
for instance, I pulled up on a service call yesterday and the home was for sale, great place, probably in the 1.5-2 million range. Wow, they had 4 gas fireplaces and 3 needed repairs! The showings start tomorrow so I was under a little bit of pressure. Their basement fireplace needed new batteries in the remote receiver. The upstairs fireplace needed a new fan and the main floor fireplace needed a mercury flame safety switch. Well the batteries and fan are easy peasy, but anyone in the industry knows that mercury switches are obsolete and hard to come by. Luckily I still have 5 (now 4) used mercury flame switches in stock! My clients were thrilled that everything was fixed same day and at a fraction of what a new fireplace would have cost. More importantly, their house is on the market and they don't have disclose any problems to potential buyers which would also result in a lower offer to purchase.
So yes, I provide a variety of options for repairs that save people from buying new for $5000-$8000.

Thank you for having me in your home and the compliment. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

Cheers
Jeremy

Wow, nobody has ever called me a "genius"!
Thank you for the GREAT review!
Some people like crosswords, soduko and wordL, but I like fixing gas fireplaces!
I suppose if compared to the other Technicians that couldn't fix it I may look like a genius and I'm modest too!
(:
I started in the fireplace business in the early 1990's and worked in various shops. It quickly became apparent that the Service departments were severely ill equipped to repair fireplaces as it was a steep learning curve and it was way more profitable to sell and install new fireplaces. For this reason I focused on repairs and continue to be a repair based business with little overhead costs and make a decent living in a niche market.
Of course I sell and install new fireplaces as well with expertise in replacing old fireplaces without damaging the existing marble/granite tile surroundings. This takes patience and care with very specific measurements and only specific fireplaces can fit in replacement applications. Manufacturers are thinning materials in fireplaces to save on the costs of steel and the weight of shipping, but also to artificially increase the heat output efficiency. Of course the output is greater when you chince out on the metal - shrinkflation anyone?!! Unfortunately a for consumers and Technicians, the misleading "higher efficiency" of materials has increased the surface temperatures of fireplaces and consequently increased the clearances to combustibles requirements. Why does this matter? A old fireplace with "zero clearance" requirements was framed with wood studs and drywall because the low surface temperature allowed for zero clearance to combustibles. New fireplaces with higher surface temperatures require 4-6 inches away from any combustibles, so the wood studs and drywall have to be replaced with non-combustible steel studs and cement board. And yes, that is very difficult to do without replacing the whole fireplace surrounding marble/granite tile. For this reason I purchased a truckload of the last production run of a specific fireplace that has the proper clearances for retrofits. Also I secured the purchase deal at the beginning of the pandemic so my prices are not affected by the inflation that everyone has seen this last year. I can replace most old direct vent fireplaces for $4000-$5000 which includes installation (in london, Ontario as of September 2022).
Anyway, if anyone needs fireplace services I do maintenance, repairs and install new/used fireplaces and all types of gas lines to stoves, dryers, bbqs, etc...
Also for Gas Techs out there looking for a change from furnaces and AC , we are looking to hire a new Technician that has a keen interest in fireplaces.

Cheers!

Jeremy