A well-maintained fireplace is safer, cheaper to run, and often lasts 20+ years. Skipping the annual service is the fastest way to shorten its life and void the manufacturer's warranty.
Monthly during burning season (20 minutes)
- Empty ash into a metal container once cold; leave a thin bed of ash to protect the base.
- Clean the glass with a dedicated stove-glass cleaner or a damp newspaper dipped in ash.
- Check the door seal (rope gasket) for gaps or hardening — replace annually.
- Inspect the flue collar and joints for soot leaks or discolouration.
Annual professional service
Book a full service in early autumn before you fire up. A qualified technician will sweep the flue, inspect the baffle plate and firebricks, replace the door rope if needed, and test draft. Cost is typically R900–R1,800 for wood, R1,200–R2,200 for gas including a leak test.
Gas-specific checks
- Inspect the burner ports for blockage from spider webs (a common Cape summer problem).
- Test the flame failure device by turning off the gas and confirming the valve closes.
- Renew the Certificate of Compliance when selling the property.
Warning signs to act on immediately
- Smoke entering the room during startup — likely flue blockage or downdraught.
- Yellow, lazy flames on a gas unit — indicates incomplete combustion; shut down and call a technician.
- Cracked firebricks or a warped baffle plate — replace before the next season.
End-of-season care (September)
- Remove all ash and give the firebox a vacuum once fully cold.
- Leave the air control slightly open over summer so moisture doesn't collect inside.
- Wipe cast-iron surfaces with a light coat of stove polish to prevent rust — important near the coast in Milnerton, Blouberg and Langebaan.
- Cap or check the flue cowl so birds and spiders can't nest over summer.
Coastal vs inland homes
Salt air on the West Coast and Atlantic seaboard attacks paint, fixings and the flue cowl faster than inland. Homes in these areas should inspect the roof section of the flue every year and touch up any rust spots. In the Winelands and northern suburbs — Durbanville, Paarl, Stellenbosch — the bigger risk is creosote from long, low overnight burns, so the flue sweep matters more than the cowl.
When parts need replacing
Door rope and glass wear out; stainless flues last much longer but not forever. If a flue section is damaged or rusted through, replace it rather than patch it. Our single-storey stainless kits cost R 6 715 (Ø130 mm), R 7 390 (Ø150 mm), R 8 505 (Ø180 mm) and R 9 790 (Ø200 mm), with R 3 000 extra for double-storey homes. Ceiling plates are R 218 – R 309 if yours is stained or cracked.
Book it in
We service fireplaces across Cape Town, the West Coast and the Cape Winelands. Transport is R 500 for the first 20 km and R 10 per km after that, so booking a neighbour's service on the same trip is an easy saving.
Quick answers
Can I clean the glass while the fireplace is warm? No. Always wait until it is completely cold — cleaning warm glass can crack it and burn your hands.
How often should the door rope be replaced? Once a year for regular users, or sooner if the door no longer closes firmly or smoke escapes around the edge.
Does skipping a service affect my warranty? It can. Most manufacturers require proof of regular servicing, so keep your service records.
What does it cost to replace a flue? Single-storey stainless kits start at R 6 715 for Ø130 mm, with R 3 000 extra for double-storey homes.
Written by
Progress Group
Fireplace, braai and gas specialists since 1990 — showroom in Bellville, installations across Cape Town and the Western Cape.