[lz07rp]

Hello I'm new to the site and hope someone can help me out. I have a superior 500 gas fireplace and its 4 years old. It has had no maintenence on it other then cleaning the glass front. Over the weekend it started to have a gas odor when we turned it on. we keep the pilot light on all the time. If it is dirty will it give off a smell? Also are the lava rock used on the bottom for anything else other than decoration? I never really gave this fireplace much thought on how it works and what parts do what but now that it has a problem I'm at a lose with it all right now. Any help would be great. Thanks