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Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor
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Reviews for Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Average customer rating:
10 10 (64 reviews)

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Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

True fireplace doctor

We are very happy with Jeremys service. He is quick in action, responsible and trustworthy. He fixed our fireplace quickly and charged a reasonable price, saving us from having to install a brand new one. Highly recommend anyone who need help with fireplace give Jeremy a call first.

Approximate cost of services:
$300.00
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Company Response

Thank you for your 10 star rating!
I believe I know who this "verified private user" is and I appreciate the review and respect privacy.
Unfortunately this client has told me the same story that I hear on a weekly basis.
The story starts with the homeowner fireplace not working properly. Understandably they want it fixed and a online search reveals a local long established fireplace business with extensive marketing that claims to repair "all makes and models". Homeowner calls the Company and schedule a time and somehow the company doesn't have a repair Technician available for a couple weeks, but they send out a salesperson within 2 days. The salesperson (who is not licensed for gas), does a quick inspection and determines the fireplace is older and it would be best to replace the whole thing (surprise, surprise!). Oddly, the salesperson tells the homeowner a new fireplace can be installed within 3 days! Remember the Company couldn't send out a Gas Tech to repair the fireplace for a couple weeks?!!! The Company provides the Homeowner with a quote of $8000 to replace the fireplace. The Homeowner trusting their instincts, does another search on "gas fireplace repair" and finds ME- with no flashy marketing but great reviews! After a short phone conversation, we scheduled a service within a week and the repair was replacing a $2 wall switch from Home Depot! Now since I was there anyway, I of course did a maintenance on that fireplace and another maintenance on the basement fireplace. The cost in total was under $400 FOR BOTH FIREPLACES!
This fireplace story is typical, but there's another common variation where the Company actually sends a Gas Tech to fix the fireplace and this "expert" tells the Homeowner that "the fireplace is old and parts aren't available". The Fireplace Company still charging a "service call fee" for not fixing anything and offers to reimburse the "fee" if you decide to buy a new fireplace.
The takeaways;
Trust your instincts!
Don't be afraid to seek a second or third opinion!
if you thinks this information can help someone you know, please pass it along.

Cheers!
Jeremy

Private User
Private User
0 reviews London, ON
10/10

Gas Fireplace Service & Repair-Byron (London)

Jeremy did an excellent and thorough job repairing and cleaning my >25 yrs.old gas fireplace.Now it is like brand new.He also provided tips on cleaning and maintaining it between service calls.
I will certainly recommend him to friends and neighbours who may require this service. After Jeremy left I had the sense that of all the options I had called the right person for the job.
Gord

Approximate cost of services:
$458.00
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Company Response

Hey Gord!
Thanks for the great review!
While millivolt fireplace systems are my specialty, you saw first hand how involved it is to replace the "safety loop system" ( thermalcouple with wires and vent safety switch). Removing the fireplace to get at the vent safety switch is never fun, but when I show up I intend 100% to get the repair done!

Best regards,

Jeremy

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

Repair

Jeremy arrived promptly as appointed. He is very courteous, knowledgeable and most importantly, extremely professional. The problem was diagnosed quickly and repaired in a timely fashion. The fireplace was cleaned and now looks like new.

Approximate cost of services:
$180.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the compliments!

Jeremy

kelsey82714
kelsey82714
0 reviews London, ON
10/10

Gas Stove Installation

Jeremy did a terrific job for us. Hired him to run a gas line and install a gas stove for us. When he came to do the job he pointed out that the company that installed our new furnace, central air and hot water heater just 3 years ago had left us with pipes and fittings which were not up to code. Jeremy explained the problems to us and brought everything up to code for us for a very reasonable price. We have since been reimbursed by the company that installed our furnace for the cost to bring everything up to code. Were very glad we had a knowledgeable person here to correct issues could have caused us serious problems. Photos are pre repair by Jeremy.

Approximate cost of services:
$1,000.00
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Company Response

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 

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

Great service, easy to work with Professional!

Fantastic service from Jeremy. Super knowledgeable professional. He was flexible, quick and thorough. Highly recommend!

Approximate cost of services:
$200.00
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Company Response

Thanks for the great review!
Things don't always go quick at this time of year.
cheers!
Jeremy

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

Great work

Jeremy came out quicker than anyone else and my gas fireplace works better than ever now. Other places were going to be three weeks he came out in about 4 days. Cost seemed relative to other quotes based on the repairs and parts. Might take a minute to figure out the exact time he came come out but once its locked in he comes and finishes the job. Explained the method of trouble shooting and did his best to fix it as quick as possible - makes effort also to be clean with drop
Cloth shoe covers and general care for the area. Good guy !

Approximate cost of services:
$350.00
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Company Response

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

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

Fireplace maintenance and repairs

Our fireplace was not working when we turned it on for the first time this year. We called fireplace doctor (Jeremy) who was very responsive and was able to schedule a service right away.
He was thorough and knowledgeable and had us up and running in under an hour. Price was very reasonable.
We would highly recommend this company.

Approximate cost of services:
$300.00
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Company Response

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

Durgan69
Durgan69
1 review London, ON
10/10

Service fireplace

Jeremy was on time and checked all aspects of the fireplace which would not stay lit. He diagnosed the problem and left me with a perfectly running fireplace.

The plan was to repair my older fireplace and only consider fireplace replacement if required when repairs become uneconomical.

I recommend The Fireplace Doctor because his service was excellent.

Approximate cost of services:
$200.00
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Company Response

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!

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews London, ON
10/10

Fireplace installation

Jeremy removed our old fireplace because the mercury switch was broken and not replaceable. He also added new drywall, vapour barrier and screws to mitigate a draft which was coming from our poorly constructed fireplace cavity. All is working and looking great and no more draft!! He was extremely careful in the removal process and none our existing ceramic tile was damaged. Phew!! He is very knowledgeable, explains what the job requires and completes it with high standards. He was punctual, professional and very cognizant of keeping our house clean (drop sheets, booties over their shoes and negative air vacuum) while the work was being completed). We highly recommend Jeremy for your fireplace renovations.

Approximate cost of services:
$4,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the great review!

Jeremy

Private User
Private User
0 reviews London, ON
10/10

Fireplace maintenance

Thank you Jeremy for coming out and servicing our fireplace! Our furnace had just broken down and we wanted to make sure our fireplace was in good working order before using it . Your quick service was greatly appreciated.
We were able to use our fireplace until the install of the new furnace several days later.
We will continue to recommend your company.

Approximate cost of services:
$200.00
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Company Response

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

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Natural Gas Technicians Inc/ The Fireplace Doctor

Proudly providing "peace of mind" in London Ontario for 20 years.
Specialties include; installations, gas fireplace services and repairs. Gas line installs for bbqs, stoves, dryers, pool heaters, disconnects and reconnects.

Visit our websites; GasLines.com or TheFireplaceDoctor.com

CATEGORIES
Fireplaces and Gas Line Installation
WEBSITE
http://www.thefireplacedoctor.com/
YEAR ESTABLISHED
1996
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
1
RETURN POLICY
30
PAYMENT METHOD
all
LICENSES
GT2, TSSA REG
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Yes
PROJECT MINIMUM
$100
BONDED
Yes
PROJECT RATE
$100 plus $25 per 15 minutes
WARRANTY TERMS
1 year
Company profile information is not moderated by HomeStars. Ask the contractor to verify before hiring.