Soot everywhere

[Richard Roshak]

This is a 10 year old home with a heat-n-glo gas fireplace. Soot was on the logs and above the vent. There also was some surface rusting of the firebox as well. Any ideas about whats going on? What about the lack of combustion air?
Rich

[Gunnar Alquist]

Clearly there is a problem and you need to defer. I would not be able to specifically diagnose what is going on, and I would be unwilling to make an incorrect assumption. If Bob Harper looks in, you will get a much better answer.

[Bob Harper]

Thx G-man.

First of all, is there Black Particulate Matter apparent inside the home or is it all behind the glass and outside? It appears to have some detritus on the vent partially blocking the air intake on the termination. The sooting can be caused by a lot of things. Regardless, a qualified tech needs to service it. From the looks of the burner and embers, this unit has gone without service for awhile. The glass may clean up or may not. The tech will need to document the pre-existing conditions, clean it up, check log position, trouble shoot the sooting, take readings, then ascertain if the glass is sealing properly.

There are plenty of qualified techs in NJ so they should be able to get someone in there but they may be backed up because the hearth industry is crazy busy right now.

[wayne soper]

From the looks of that vent I would have to speculate that there may be a birds nest stuffed into the intake. Or is that MUD. Doesn't matter.
Yes, service and repair

[Michael Thomas]

Just curious...

[jackie peeks]

after installing and servicing the brand fireplace your showing...HEAT-N-GLO...i can assure you that you have an acceptional unit,in the past few years we have been seeing high amounts of sulfur in natural gas as well as just plain out bad gas as far as propane,it does look as thought the unit as not been serviced in awhile,its recommended to clean the glass every 2 weeks to monthly depending on how much you use it.Nevertheless the soot outside looks to be a direct problem from the lack of servicing properly.The unit is a direct vent sealed combustion chamber however older models could seep out gasket and most qualified service techs can help with that...heat n glo's website while show you your local service and sales professions,thank you