the pilot light on my water heater wont stay lit

If your water heater’s pilot light won’t stay lit, there are several potential causes you can investigate.

– Ensure the gas supply is turned on and that there are no blockages in the gas line.
– Check the gas pressure to ensure it is within the recommended range for your water heater.

– Clean the pilot assembly, including the orifice and thermocouple, to remove any debris or corrosion.
– Inspect the pilot tube for any kinks or blockages.
– Replace any worn or damaged components, such as the thermocouple or pilot burner.
– Adjust the gas flow to the pilot light using the designated adjustment screw.
– Aim for a small, steady flame that does not flicker or blow out easily.

– Test the thermocouple with a multimeter to ensure it is generating a sufficient voltage.
– Clean or replace the thermocouple if necessary.

Other Considerations

– Check the water heater’s draft hood to ensure it is not blocked or damaged.
– Inspect the flue vent for any obstructions or corrosion.
– Ensure the water heater is properly vented to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Check the Gas Supply

If your water heater’s pilot light won’t stay lit, the first step is to check the gas supply. Here are some things to look for⁚

– Ensure the gas supply is turned on. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking to make sure that the gas valve is in the “on” position.

– Check for blockages in the gas line. A blockage in the gas line can prevent gas from reaching the pilot light. Inspect the gas line for any kinks, bends, or other obstructions.

– Check the gas pressure. The gas pressure should be within the recommended range for your water heater. You can check the gas pressure using a manometer. If the gas pressure is too low, the pilot light may not be able to stay lit.

If you have checked the gas supply and everything seems to be in order, you can move on to the next step, which is to inspect the pilot assembly.

Additional tips⁚

– If you smell gas, do not attempt to light the pilot light. Evacuate the area and call a qualified gas technician immediately.

– If you are not comfortable working with gas, it is best to call a qualified gas technician to troubleshoot the problem.

Inspect the Pilot Assembly

If you have checked the gas supply and everything seems to be in order, the next step is to inspect the pilot assembly. Here are some things to look for⁚

– Clean the pilot assembly; Over time, the pilot assembly can become clogged with debris or corrosion. This can prevent the pilot light from staying lit. Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the pilot assembly, including the orifice and thermocouple.

– Inspect the pilot tube. The pilot tube is a small tube that carries gas to the pilot light. Inspect the pilot tube for any kinks or blockages. If the pilot tube is kinked or blocked, the pilot light may not be able to stay lit.

– Replace any worn or damaged components. If the pilot assembly is damaged or worn, it may need to be replaced. Common components that may need to be replaced include the thermocouple and pilot burner.

If you have inspected the pilot assembly and everything seems to be in order, you can move on to the next step, which is to adjust the gas flow.

Additional tips⁚

– If you are not comfortable working with gas, it is best to call a qualified gas technician to troubleshoot the problem.

– If you have replaced any components of the pilot assembly, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reassembly.

Adjust the Gas Flow

If you have checked the gas supply and inspected the pilot assembly, the next step is to adjust the gas flow to the pilot light. Here are some things to keep in mind⁚

– Locate the gas control valve. The gas control valve is usually located near the bottom of the water heater.

– Adjust the gas flow. Use a screwdriver to adjust the gas flow to the pilot light. Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to increase the gas flow and counterclockwise to decrease the gas flow.

– Aim for a small, steady flame. The goal is to achieve a small, steady flame that does not flicker or blow out easily.

– Test the pilot light. Once you have adjusted the gas flow, test the pilot light to make sure it stays lit. If the pilot light still does not stay lit, you may need to replace the thermocouple.

Additional tips⁚

– If you are not comfortable working with gas, it is best to call a qualified gas technician to adjust the gas flow.

– If you have adjusted the gas flow and the pilot light still does not stay lit, there may be another problem with the water heater. You may need to call a qualified gas technician to diagnose and repair the problem.

Warning⁚ Do not adjust the gas flow to the main burner. This should only be done by a qualified gas technician.

Check the Thermocouple

The thermocouple is a safety device that shuts off the gas supply to the pilot light if the flame goes out. If the thermocouple is not working properly, the pilot light will not stay lit.

Here are some things to check⁚

– Locate the thermocouple. The thermocouple is usually located near the pilot light. It is a small metal rod with a wire attached to it.

– Test the thermocouple. You can test the thermocouple with a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the millivolt (mV) setting; Touch the positive probe of the multimeter to the terminal on the thermocouple and the negative probe to the body of the thermocouple. You should get a reading of at least 20 mV. If you do not get a reading, the thermocouple is faulty and needs to be replaced.
– Clean the thermocouple. If the thermocouple is dirty, it may not be able to generate a strong enough voltage to keep the gas valve open. Clean the thermocouple with a wire brush or sandpaper.

– Replace the thermocouple. If the thermocouple is faulty or cannot be cleaned, it will need to be replaced.

Additional tips⁚

– If you are not comfortable working with gas, it is best to call a qualified gas technician to test and replace the thermocouple.

– If you have replaced the thermocouple and the pilot light still does not stay lit, there may be another problem with the water heater. You may need to call a qualified gas technician to diagnose and repair the problem.
Warning⁚ Do not attempt to bypass the thermocouple. This is a safety device and bypassing it could lead to a gas leak or explosion.