Why Fire Pit Inspections Are Essential for Safety and Performance

August 14, 2025

A backyard fire pit is the centerpiece of many gatherings, but hidden dangers can develop that most homeowners never think about. One of the most common—and surprising—issues we find during inspections is caused by tiny, unwanted guests: spiders and small insects.

In many areas, these pests can create a dangerous problem known as a “flashback.” Spiders spin webs and insects build nests inside the grill’s venturi tube(s)—the part that mixes gas with air before it reaches the burner. These obstructions restrict gas flow, which may:

Cause the grill or fire pit to light improperly
Reduce performance and heat output
Lead to gas backing up and escaping through the venturi air shutter

When that backed-up gas ignites, it can cause a flashback—a fire inside the venturi tube(s). Not only can this damage your equipment, but it also creates a serious safety hazard for anyone nearby.

The tricky part is that your grill or fire pit may still light even with an obstruction. The danger is hidden until it becomes a real problem.

How to Prevent Flashback Problems

Regular inspections can identify and remove these hazards before they cause damage. A thorough check involves:

Removing the burner.
Cleaning out the venturi tube(s) with a long, narrow bottlebrush.
Checking for any signs of heat damage from past flashbacks.

Keeping this part of your fire pit or grill clear ensures full gas flow, better performance, and—most importantly—safe operation.

Fire pits and grills are meant to bring people together, not put them in danger. Make sure yours gets inspected regularly so it continues to do just that.

We’ve seen what a flashback can do—and it’s preventable. Schedule an inspection with our team and make sure your fire pit is ready for safe, reliable use.

Sometimes when we inspect a fire pit or a fireplace, we find the gas line has not been ran to code or the manufacturers, or improper materials have been used for the application, such as in the photo below.

Customer testimonials

    
 
 
         
   Kathleen Gibson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have used this company for years, have always been pleased, and will continue to use it.
  
 
        
   Mary Weyer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great , as usual
  
 
        
   Anne Tippets 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They did a very professional job installing a gas fireplace in our home, it adds warmth and ambience. We highly recommend their services.
  
 
        
   Polly Davis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would highly recommend him for anyone!  He was knowledgeable, neat, on time and professional!
  
 
        
   Gene Barron 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Over the past few years my wife has smelled natural gas as she walked through our family room to the kitchen. We've had the gas company come out, plumbers come out and no one found any leak. I don't have a sense of smell so we do have Natural Gas Alarms in the house but this time she called Buck at Denver Flame. He checked every possible place we could have a leak-furnace, hot water heater, gas stove, and fireplace. He took his time and really worked to find the leak - and it WAS in our fireplace, but not where all the gas lines were, it was in the upper part above the firebox where it attaches to the flue system. Our gas fireplace was original in the house, about 24 years old, but Buck diagnosed the problem. He gave us some recommendation on Fireplace shops and one of the salesmen we spoke to knew Buck and gave us a wholesale price so we bought a new gas fireplace and are having Buck install it. He came out the next day after we called him, took time to explain what we needed, and found him to be reliable and honest.
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 109 reviews