Old houses, small yards
Many homes in Boyle Heights were built a century ago, with a second unit or a back house added later. The grill usually lives in a narrow side yard, on a back porch, or on a slab between the main house and the rear unit. Often it's shared between households on the same lot.
That setup brings a few common problems. A grill wedged against a wall or fence doesn't get much airflow, so moisture lingers and rust starts in the firebox. Grills pushed into a corner under eaves or a lemon tree pick up leaves, webs and nests. And a shared grill rarely has one person responsible for cleaning it.
What we fix most in Boyle Heights
These are the calls we get again and again from older neighborhoods with tight lots.
Spider webs in the burners
Grills tucked into sheltered corners are spider magnets. Webs in the venturi tubes cause weak flames and backfiring.
Learn moreRusted-out burners
Moisture against a wall plus old grease rots burners from the bottom up. We replace them with matching parts.
Learn moreIgniter quit years ago
If you light the grill with a match, a new igniter or module usually fixes it.
Learn moreRust on the cart and firebox
Surface rust can be cleaned and treated. A rusted-through firebox is a replacement conversation.
Learn moreBroken knobs and bezels
Sun-cracked plastic knobs and missing bezels replaced so you can actually control the flame.
Learn moreWhy corners and covers matter
Storing a grill out of the way makes sense on a small lot, but where it sits affects how long it lasts. A cover helps against sun and dust, but trapped moisture underneath can make rust worse if it never dries out. Pull the cover off on dry days now and then. Leave a few inches between the grill and any wall so air can move. And light it up for ten minutes every couple of weeks if it isn't being used, which burns off moisture and discourages spiders.
We go into more detail in do grill covers help or hurt? and spiders in burner tubes.
Two households, one grill
When a grill is shared between a front house and a back unit, or between tenants in a small building, it tends to get used often and cleaned rarely. Owners of small rental properties can book a regular service so the grill stays safe for whoever uses it. We send photos after each visit. See grill care for rentals for tips, or ask about a maintenance plan.
Before and after
Photos from grills our techs have cleaned and repaired.
Boyle Heights FAQ
Our grill is in a narrow side yard. Can you work there?
Yes. As long as we can reach it and take it apart, we can clean or repair it. Small spaces are routine for us.
I own a duplex and the tenants share the grill. Can you bill me directly?
Yes. We can schedule with the tenants and send the invoice and photos to you.
The grill backfires with a pop when I light it. What's wrong?
That's very often a spider web or debris in a burner tube, or a dirty igniter that's catching late. Stop using it until it's checked.
How much is a cleaning or repair?
It depends on the grill's size, brand, condition and any parts. Call or text us, or send a couple of photos, for a quote.
Nearby neighborhoods and cities
Small yard, big fix
Call or text us, or send a couple of photos and we'll quote the work.