water heater pilot light goes out every few days
My water heater, a seemingly reliable appliance, started playing tricks on me. For weeks, I woke up to freezing cold showers, the pilot light stubbornly refusing to stay lit. It was a constant battle, a frustrating cycle of relighting the pilot, only to have it extinguish itself a few days later. This went on for far too long!
The Initial Problem⁚ A Flickering Flame
It all began subtly. At first, I noticed a slight flicker in the pilot light of my trusty water heater, something I initially dismissed as nothing. It was a small, almost imperceptible dance of the flame, a hesitant little jig that didn’t seem to affect the hot water supply…at least, not yet. Then, one particularly chilly morning, I stepped into the shower, only to be met with a shocking blast of freezing water. The pilot light, I discovered, had completely extinguished itself during the night. I relit it, thinking it was a fluke, a one-time incident. But alas, it wasn’t. Over the next few days, the flickering returned, growing more pronounced each time, until the inevitable happened again⁚ another icy shower. This became a pattern, a frustrating rhythm of flickering flame, followed by complete extinction, leaving me shivering and increasingly concerned. The water heater seemed to have developed a mind of its own, a mischievous spirit that delighted in denying me the simple pleasure of a warm shower. The unpredictable nature of the problem made it all the more infuriating; I couldn’t rely on a consistent hot water supply, and the constant relighting became a tedious chore. It was clear that something was seriously wrong, and I needed to find a solution, and fast.
My First Attempt at a Fix⁚ A Quick Google Search
Naturally, my first instinct was to turn to the oracle of modern times⁚ Google. I typed in “water heater pilot light keeps going out,” bracing myself for a deluge of information. The results were, as expected, overwhelming. I sifted through pages of forums, articles, and YouTube videos, each offering a different solution. Some suggested cleaning the thermocouple, others pointed to a faulty gas valve, and still others warned of more serious, expensive problems. Armed with this newfound (and somewhat confusing) knowledge, I decided to tackle the simplest suggestion first⁚ cleaning the thermocouple. I located the small, metal rod near the pilot light, carefully brushing away any dust or debris with a wire brush. I even gave it a good wipe with a clean cloth. I then carefully relit the pilot light, holding my breath, hoping for a miracle. For a day or two, it seemed like my quick Google search had worked its magic. The flame burned steadily. I celebrated my DIY success prematurely, of course. The flickering returned, and the inevitable happened⁚ another cold shower. My initial triumph was short-lived, a stark reminder that sometimes, even the simplest solutions aren’t always the right ones. The internet, while a powerful tool, couldn’t provide a definitive diagnosis in my case. I knew I’d need a more professional approach.
The Second Attempt⁚ Calling in the Experts (Sort Of)
Reluctant to call a full-fledged plumber – and the potentially hefty bill that would accompany it – I opted for a different route. My neighbor, a self-proclaimed handyman named Bob, had a reputation for tackling home repairs. I explained my water heater woes, the intermittent pilot light failure, and the frustrating cold showers. Bob, ever the helpful neighbor, readily offered his assistance. He arrived armed with a toolbox and a wealth of (mostly) helpful advice. He examined the water heater, poking and prodding at various components. He listened intently as I recounted my Google-fueled attempts, shaking his head sympathetically at my premature celebrations. Bob, unlike the internet, didn’t offer a quick fix. Instead, he meticulously checked the gas supply, inspected the burner assembly, and even tested the gas pressure. His inspection was thorough, his expertise evident in his methodical approach. While he didn’t have the precise solution immediately, his assessment was invaluable. He ruled out a few possibilities, narrowing the field of potential problems, and ultimately pointed me towards a likely culprit⁚ a faulty thermocouple. Bob’s advice, though not a complete solution, proved to be the crucial missing piece in my frustrating water heater puzzle. It was time to move on to the next stage.
The Solution⁚ A New Thermocouple
Armed with Bob’s diagnosis – a faulty thermocouple – I headed to the local hardware store. The helpful staff member, a friendly woman named Sarah, easily located the correct thermocouple for my water heater model. It was a relatively inexpensive part, a small metal rod with a wire attached. Replacing it seemed straightforward enough, and I felt a surge of confidence. Following online instructions (this time, I was more cautious!), I carefully shut off the gas supply to the water heater. I then removed the old thermocouple, noting its position and orientation for reinstallation. The old one looked slightly corroded, confirming Bob’s suspicion. Installing the new thermocouple was surprisingly simple. I carefully positioned it, ensuring it made proper contact with the burner. I reconnected the gas supply, held my breath, and struck the pilot light. It ignited! And, more importantly, it stayed lit. I let the water heater run for a while, checking periodically to make sure the pilot remained flame. Relief washed over me – no more cold showers! The simple replacement of a small part had solved my weeks-long problem. The feeling of accomplishment was immense, a testament to the power of persistence and the occasional helpful neighbor.