Why does the pilot light on my hot water tank keep going out?

Why does the pilot light on my hot water tank keep going out?

The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.

Why does my water heater pilot light keep going out?

Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. If your pilot doesn’t re-light, won’t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time, you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple. This can happen with age.

How do you relight a pilot light on a water heater?

Relight the pilot light. Turn the control valve to “on”. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. Note: When relit, the water heater pilot light flame should wrap around the thermocouple bulb.

What happens if the pilot light is not lit?

Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn’t lit, it turns the gas off as a safety measure. An unlit pilot can also stem from a dirty thermocouple as the dirt may be obstructing the current signal, which would also lead to a gas outage.

How long does it take a solar water heater to warm up?

The exact time depends on the capacity. For comparison’s sake: An electric heater takes at least an hour, usually up to 80 minutes, to warm up. The same goes for solar-powered units. On the other hand, tankless systems neither have a pilot light, nor a wait time for hot water — ever.

What to do if pilot light on water heater goes out?

It’s easy to turn your water heater pilot back on. But first, check for a gas leak. If there’s a leak, then igniting a flame can cause an explosion. Fortunately, this is easy: Sniff around the pilot light area and make sure you don’t smell any gas.

Why does my pilot light keep going out?

If your pilot doesn’t re-light, won’t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time, you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple. This can happen with age. This can happen with age.

Is it dangerous to relight a pilot light?

With old heaters, you can relight the pilot by putting fire to it. But it’s advisable to first check with the company before you light the fire. Using a lighter or a match can be extremely dangerous and may lead to the person lighting the pilot in getting burned.

Why does my water heater flame keep going out?

The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris. Sometimes, the tube might be partially clogged and supplying very little gas for combustion- No wonder your pilot light keeps going out. The Solution: Thorough cleaning should do the trick.

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