When cooler weather rolls in, there’s nothing quite like gathering around a warm fireplace. It’s often the centerpiece of comfort during Indiana’s fall and winter months – until the moment it stops working. For many homeowners, a gas fireplace that won’t ignite isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a reminder of how important regular maintenance and expert service really are.
That’s something Anderson resident Carl Showecker has learned firsthand over the years. What began as a simple repair visit several years ago has since grown into an ongoing relationship built on trust, professionalism, and dependable results. Each appointment has shown the same consistent approach that defines Beck’s Chimney Sweep: clear communication, thorough inspections, and long-term care that keeps every system running efficiently.
A Call for Help Back in 2018
Carl’s first experience with Beck’s dates back to 2018. He’d gone to switch on his gas fireplace, expecting the familiar flicker of warmth, but instead, nothing happened. The system wouldn’t ignite. Like many homeowners facing an unexpected issue, Carl opened his laptop and searched online for fireplace repair in his area. Beck’s Chimney Sweep appeared right at the top of his results, and the reviews spoke for themselves – reliable, professional, and thorough service from a trusted local team. That was enough for Carl to pick up the phone and schedule a visit.
When our technician arrived, he completed a full cleaning of the fireplace system, checking every component to make sure it was in working order. It wasn’t long before the fireplace came back to life. During that first visit, we also noted a few areas beginning to show wear — small things that didn’t require immediate attention but would eventually need to be replaced.
It’s part of what routine maintenance is all about: catching the early signs of wear before they develop into real problems. When the job was done, the fireplace was operating efficiently once again, ready for another cozy winter season.
A Familiar Issue Returns Years Later
Over the years, Carl continued using the fireplace without issue, until October 2025, when that same familiar problem returned. The pilot light was on, but the main burners refused to ignite. This time, Carl didn’t need to go searching for help. He already knew who to call.
Instead of picking up the phone, he opened the Beck’s website chat, where he was greeted by Genni, our virtual assistant. In just a few quick messages, Genni helped him schedule a service appointment that fit his schedule. It was a simple, seamless process that took only a few minutes – no long waits or back-and-forth calls required.
Diagnosing the Problem
On October 14, 2025, Kasey Sellers, one of our certified gas fireplace technicians, arrived at Carl’s home to inspect the system. As part of our Gas Fireplace Inspection and Cleaning service, Kasey began by carefully cleaning the fireplace and testing each component to find the source of the ignition issue. His inspection revealed two key problems: a heavily rusted pilot assembly and a failing gas control module, both of which were preventing the logs from lighting properly.
Kasey reviewed his findings with Carl, walking him through what he discovered and what it meant for the performance of the system. Rather than rushing into a repair, Kasey explained the available options and provided a detailed estimate for replacing both components. Carl appreciated the straightforward approach – no unnecessary work, no pressure, just clear information and expert guidance. Once he gave approval, Kasey moved forward with the repair, installing the new parts and testing the system thoroughly before wrapping up the appointment.
By the end of the visit, the fireplace was fully restored. The steady glow of the flames returned, and with it came the warmth and comfort Carl had been missing. With the colder months quickly approaching, the timing couldn’t have been better.
A Relationship Built on Trust
For Carl, that regular care paid off. Because he had already built a relationship with Beck’s years earlier, the process of diagnosing and fixing the problem this time around was smooth from start to finish. And because our team keeps detailed service records, Kasey was able to review the history of the fireplace before even stepping foot inside the home – giving him a head start in identifying what might be going wrong.
That kind of continuity is what makes long-term customer relationships so valuable. Every visit gives us an opportunity to monitor your system closely, allowing us to provide faster, more precise service with each appointment. It’s one of the reasons so many homeowners across Hamilton County continue to rely on Beck’s year after year.
Keeping Your Fireplace Ready for the Season
Carl’s story is one example among many, but it highlights an important truth: small maintenance steps today prevent big headaches tomorrow. Whether it’s a gas fireplace that won’t light, a pilot assembly that’s starting to rust, or a control module nearing the end of its lifespan, professional inspection keeps those systems working efficiently and reliably just the way they should.
If your gas fireplace isn’t performing like it used to, or if it’s been more than a year since your last inspection, Beck’s Chimney Sweep can help. From detailed cleaning and diagnostics to part replacement and repair, our certified technicians have the training and experience to restore warmth to your home – just like we did for the Showecker family.