Why Your Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out and How to Finally Fix It
Having to endure cold showers because the pilot light on your hot water heater keeps going out is extremely frustrating. But don't worry - in most cases, this issue can be fixed with some simple DIY troubleshooting and maintenance.
With the right information and a few tools, you can get your hot water flowing again and stop pointless pilot light call outs for good.
What Exactly is a Pilot Light?
Before jumping into troubleshooting, it helps to understand what exactly the pilot light does. This small flame ignites the main burner inside your water heater whenever hot water is needed. It allows instant ignition rather than having to manually light the heater every time.
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If the pilot light goes out frequently or won't stay lit at all, none of these things can happen - resulting in cold water or no hot water at all even though the main burner functions properly.
Common Causes of a Faulty Pilot
Before attempting DIY repairs, it helps to understand potential reasons your water heater pilot light repeatedly gets extinguished or struggles to remain on:
Dirty Thermocouple
The thermocouple detects the pilot light's flame. When working properly, it communicates to the gas valve that everything is OK to continue releasing fuel. However, dust build up on the thermocouple sensor tip can interrupt this flame signal - shutting off the gas supply and extinguishing the pilot as a safety precaution.
Bent Thermocouple
In addition to build up preventing flame detection, the position of the thermocouple can impact performance. If out of alignment or bent away from the pilot light, inconsistent reading may occur. This can allow gas to leak out without ignition or trigger unnecessary shutdowns.
Weak Pilot Flame
In some instances, the pilot flame itself may not burn properly. A weak flame can get blown out more easily by small drafts or fail to make solid enough contact with the thermocouple sensor to keep the system activated due to low gas pressure or a clogged pilot gas supply line.
Faulty Gas Valve
Within the gas valve, a solenoid facilitates opening and closing to release fuel as needed. If this component is damaged or worn out, it may not open when it should - preventing gas from reaching the pilot burner to sustain a flame when hot water is running.
Clogged Pilot Nozzle
Similar to low gas pressure, residue build up around the pilot light nozzle restricts outgoing fuel flow. This results in the same weak, unreliable flame that frequently goes out. Cleaning debris from this small opening can restore proper performance.
Symptoms of Pilot Light Problems
In addition to the obvious lack of hot water, here are some other issues to be aware of if your water heater's pilot light is having trouble:
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Pay attention to these warning signs as they indicate your pilot system needs maintenance or troubleshooting before a full failure occurs.
DIY Pilot Light Troubleshooting
Before calling for costly repairs, here are some effective ways you can troubleshoot and attempt to relight your recalcitrant pilot on your own:
Step 1 - Check Gas Supply Line
Start by verifying that gas is actually making it to your water heater. Trace the supply line back and make sure all valves at the unit and meter are fully open. Listen closely for any faint hissing that would indicate a gas leak requiring plumber repairs. If all is clear, move on to inspecting the unit itself.
Step 2 - Clean Pilot Assembly
Access your heater's inner burner chamber and locate the pilot assembly. It's the little nozzle and metallic sensors the flame comes out of. Gently brush any dirt, dust, or debris off using a soft toothbrush. Pay particular attention to the thermocouple tip since residue here is a common culprit for your pilot repeatedly going out .
Step 3 - Clear Pilot Nozzle
The pilot nozzle is a tiny hole gas exits from before being ignited. Carefully use a wire or carb cleaner to clear any possible obstructions so flow can resume normally. While usually unnecessary, you can test flow by briefly pressing the pilot gas knob.
Step 4 - Straighten Thermocouple
Visually inspect position of the thermocouple in relation to the pilot hood opening. Use pliers to gently shape the copper wiring back into proper alignment if needed so flame contact is direct and consistent.
Step 5 - Adjust Pilot Flame
Relight the pilot following standard appliance lighting procedures in your unit's manual. Observe the characteristics of the flame once lit - is it weak, lazy, or unstable? If so, adjust the flame as needed turning the pilot screw to regulate gas flow until properly vibrant and blue.
Relighting Your Water Heater Pilot
If cleaning components and troubleshooting hasn't resolved the issues keeping your pilot lit, follow standard appliance manual instructions to relight it from scratch:
Step 1 - Turn Knob to Pilot Position
Turn knob from OFF to PILOT position. For combination thermostat valves, push knob in lightly until it clicks as you turn. Stop turning once resistance is met and the knob will pop back out on its own.
Step 2 - Ignite the Pilot Flame
Press and hold ignitor button to trigger piezo electrode for spark. Repeat pressing ignitor while also depressing the gas control knob until pilot flame ignites. Continue holding knob down for 30 seconds to allow thermocouple to heat up before releasing.
Step 3 - Verify Proper Operation
If configured as an intermittent pilot, turn knob to ON position to activate main burner ignite function. Conduct brief test by turning hot water on/off at a sink while observing whether main burner successfully lights each time water starts and stops flowing.
If using a thermocouple system, pilot should remain lit after releasing gas knob. If it goes out, contact professional for service before relighting.
Preventative Maintenance
To help avoid annoyances from a pilot that won't stay lit, here's some handy preventative maintenance tips:
1. Clean Components Annually
Once a year, give your pilot assembly and thermocouple a thorough cleaning by brushing, wiping away dust, or using pressurized air to clear debris for optimal ignition.
2. Routinely Inspect Unit
Check burner chamber every 2-3 months for signs of spider webs, insect nest clogs, soot residue build up or small gas leaks that reduce pilot efficiency over time.
3. Replace Damaged Parts
If nozzle, valve, or thermopile show excessive corrosion or wear over years of use, replace components per appliance instructions before operational lifespan is reduced.
Being vigilant to perform maintenance prevents minor pilot issues from escalating into hot water emergencies down the road!
When to Call a Professional
In some instances, struggling with a pilot that won't stay lit indicates larger issues may be at play requiring professional assistance:
- If gas line leak detected
- Major unit damage visible
- Component replacement inaccessible
- Pilot still giving problems after troubleshooting
- Unit is over 10-15 years old
Seeking professional diagnosis can determine if fixes exceed reasonable DIY repair capabilities either due to needed expertise, costs, or physical demands.
As you've seen, a faulty pilot light can happen to any hot water heater - but doesn't have to result in endless cold showers. A few simple cleaning and component checks can solve many pilot issues quickly and affordably.
Implement proactive pilot inspection and maintenance every year or so as preventative care as well. Your hot water heater will thank you with reliable operation and fewer discouraging shutdowns!