Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Hi Marcie, Thanks you for the kind review! Your fireplace was a great reminder to myself (and others) that there can be multiple issues that contribute to a fireplace malfunction. I did not catch the secondary issue and so I literally did my homework before coming back. As a general rule, I do not charge anything for a "call back" when the issue is related to the original service call. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Happy Holidays!
Jeremy

Hi Kyle, I appreciate the great review! Let me know if I can be of any assistance in the future.
Cheers!
Jeremy

Hi Andrea, Thanks for the great review! Scheduling can be very challenging this time of year. Let me know if I can assist you in the future-I will be there!
Thanks again, Jeremy - Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Hi Linda,
Thanks for the kind words!
I use the same procedure for each service I attend , which adds to my efficiency and keeps costs down . As with most of my calls, my volt meter tells me everything I need to know about what is happening. It was very good of you to have me fix the fireplace for the new homeowner. Best of luck with the move and enjoy your new home!
Jeremy - Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Thanks Brian!
I hope the sale of your house went smoothly!
Let me know if you need anything at the next house.
Best regards,
Jeremy

Thanks Johnny!

I hope you get settled in the new house asap!
Let me know when you need the stove installed.
Cheers!

Jeremy
Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Hi Cathy,
I appreciate the great review!
From the first time we spoke and you told me your model number, I was sure I could fix your fireplace and you didn't need a new one. It is unfortunate (and unacceptable) that "reputable" companies are increasingly saying that replacement is the only option. The motives of these companies are clearly obvious-they make more money on new installations. That means they are not fixing older fireplaces and are recommending replacement.
On the other hand, we are a repair based business and are happy fix your fireplace with a option for replacement as a last resort.
Your repair had classic symptoms pointing to a bad valve. The thermopile had good readings (450mv+), so it looked like a bad gas valve.
However, with my 20 years experience, I will tell you that the gas valve is a problem less than 2% of the time. The pilot stays lit so we know the thermalcouple and safety loop is good, which leaves the thermopile or the valve. The millivolts are good so you assume the thermopile is good and the valve is bad, BUT, a "good" reading thermopile can short "under load". So before considering the valve bad you must disconnect the old thermopile and connect a spare one outside the fireplace where you heat it with a torch. When the fireplace works, you then know the old thermopile is bad and the valve is good, so all you need to do is replace the $55 thermopile.
Thank you Cathy for the opportunity to help you and am glad you sought a second opinion to get your fireplace fixed!
Best regards,
Jeremy
Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Thanks Kate!
Your fireplace is the latest technology which allows it to be only 9" thick! Any other fireplace would build out too far into the room and not look right. The pictures look great!
It was challenging to work around your Contractors schedule because everything has to follow a specific sequence. When you hire me I am 100% there when you need me and I never hold up the other trades!
I was also pleased I could save the bush in front of the vent. Now nobody can see the vent from the road!
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
Jeremy Graat

Thanks for the high recommendation!
Your service call hilights the importance of the specific positioning of the logs, glass and pilot flame. With my 20 years experience, I am able to identify these issues quickly and reliably, keeping costs down-and no parts required!
Have a great 2017!

Jeremy

Thanks Sandra!
Your fireplace repair is fairly common for for a unit that is 15-20 years old. The pilot flame was burning dirty (yellow like a candle) so the thermopile wasn't getting hot enough to generate the required millivolts. I used my volt meter to verify the proper millivolt increase to 500mv after cleaning. Now you can see the pilot is blue/orange and more like a torch than a candle.
My volt meter also revealed the wall switch had excessive wear and high ohms resistance. I have a selection of wall switches in the van and matched the proper replacement switch for 2 dollars.
Overall the repair was straightforward and shows how the volt meter is the most important tool!
Let me know if you need any assistance in the future.
Best regards,
Jeremy
Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor