If your water heater’s pilot light goes out, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to get it relit and your hot water back. A water heater pilot light can go out for several reasons and can be a frustrating experience. There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the issue and get your pilot light back on. Keep reading if your water heater pilot light keeps going out and the potential causes that make it happen.
Why does the pilot light flame keep going out?
A pilot light is a small, continuous flame used to light a furnace, boiler, or stove. The pilot light is usually located at the base of the appliance and is lit with a match or lighter. The pilot light will stay lit as long as there is gas flowing to the appliance.
There are many reasons why a pilot light flame might go out. One common reason is that the thermocouple has worn out and isn’t providing enough heat to keep the light lit or it becomes disconnected from the pilot light assembly. This can happen if the thermocouple is old and brittle or has been bumped or knocked loose.
If your water heater pilot light goes out, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, check to ensure that the thermocouple is properly connected to the pilot light assembly. If it’s not, reconnect it and see if that fixes the problem. Check to make sure the gas supply hasn’t been turned off, intentionally or accidentally. If the thermocouple appears in good condition, try turning on the gas supply and see if the pilot light comes on. If it doesn’t, something may be blocking the airflow to the pilot light. Check for obstructions and clear them if necessary. If all these steps fail to get your water heater pilot light burning again, you may need to call a professional technician for assistance. If the water heater is old, it might just need to be replaced.
How do you fix a gas orifice clog?
Water heater pilot lights can go out for a variety of reasons. Another reason is that the gas orifice becomes clogged with debris, and the flame can no longer generate enough heat to keep the pilot light lit. If this is the case, you can try cleaning the orifice using a small wire brush. Another possible cause is a lack of oxygen getting to the pilot light, which could be due to a dirty air filter or blocked chimney. If this is the case, you may need to have your water heater serviced.
How can I tell if there’s enough oxygen coming into my water heater?
If your water heater pilot light goes out, there may not be enough oxygen coming into the tank. When the pilot light goes out, it’s usually because of a draft in the area. If there’s a draft, it can suck the air right out of the water heater, which will cause the pilot light flame to go out. You can tell if there’s enough oxygen coming into your tank by checking to see if the flame on your pilot light is blue. If the flame is yellow or orange, there isn’t enough oxygen getting to the tank, and you’ll need to fix the problem.
Overall, a water heater pilot light going out can be inconvenient and lead to further problems if not addressed. If the pilot light is in the right spot and you’ve tried relighting it and following these tips, and it still doesn’t come back on, it’s time to call a professional. There’s a good chance there’s something wrong with your water heater that needs to be fixed. Addressing the issue as soon as possible can help prevent further damage to the water heater and ensure that it continues to operate correctly.
