How to Diagnose and Fix a Pilot Light Problem on a Gas Water Heater

Waking up to a cold shower, especially when it's winter season, is not a pleasant way to start your day. And who's to blame for this problem? Well, in most cases, it happens when the pilot light on your gas water heater somehow goes out. So, you'll face problems like - 

• Inconsistent water temperature 
• Strange smells near your heater
• No hot water when you turn on the taps.

To tackle this, all you need to do is inspect the issue with your gas water heater's pilot light and then fix it properly. For this, you'll need to rely on a trusted gas water heater repair service. 

But still, it's important for you to understand what's wrong & if you can inspect the problem on your own. And that's what we'll tell you today in this blog!

Pilot light out? Call Now to find out what’s really wrong!

What is a Pilot Light and When Does it Stop Working?

Before knowing how to fix your pilot light, you should also have an idea about what it exactly is, how it works, and when it stops working. So, you can think of a pilot light as a small flame that ignites the gas flowing from your gas valve to the main burner. 

• It works by warming the thermocouple, which in turn generates a small electric current. This current keeps the gas control valve open so that the gas can flow to the main burner. 
• So, when you're turning on your gas water heater, the pilot light is always burning, and this allows the flow of gas to the main burner to heat up the water in your water tank. And that's how you get hot water for your shower, for washing dishes, etc.! 
• This feature also keeps your water heater safe and prevents gas from leaking inside your home!

If the pilot light goes out, then the thermocouple will cool down, the gas valve will shut off, and the gas flow will stop, and you won't get hot water from your gas water heater anymore.

How to Inspect Problems with Your Gas Water Heater?

There are several reasons why your gas water heater's pilot might stop working. To detect the problems on your own, you can follow these steps safely!

1. Step 1: Check the Gas Supply Valve

You need to make sure the gas valve is fully open. Sometimes the pilot goes out simply because the gas supply is off.

1. Step 2: Look for Drafts

Strong drafts or wind near the water heater can blow out the pilot light. So, you need to ensure that the area around your pilot light is safe from harsh winds coming from outside.

1. Step 3: Test the Burner Tube

Dirt or spider webs can block the gas flow to the pilot. So, if you clean the tube properly, it might fix the issue instantly.

1. Step 4: Check for Sediment Build-Up

Over time, sediment in the tank can affect the pilot’s performance. So, you can opt for flushing out the sediment to fix the problem.

1. Step 5: Verify Proper Alignment

You need to ensure the thermocouple tip is properly positioned in the pilot flame, as misalignment can cause the flame to go out.

1. Step 6: Notice If There’s Any Sound

If you hear clicking or hissing sounds coming from the water heater, then there might be an issue with the gas flow. 

While you can do these steps on your own, to get the best outcome safely, you need to call for professional water heater service. Also, if you notice a burning smell from the water heater, you need to leave the area and call the pros right away, as it could indicate a gas leak!

Schedule Your Appointment for quick water heater repair!

How to Relight Your Gas Water Heater’s Pilot Light?

After inspecting the problems, if you see everything's fine, you can try relighting the pilot light again. For this, you can follow these steps!

• Turn Off the Gas: Look for the gas valve and switch it to “Off.” You need to wait for five to ten minutes to let any leftover gas go away on its own.
• Access the Pilot: You can open the panel covering the pilot assembly.
• Turn the Gas to Pilot: You need to switch the valve to the “Pilot” position.
• Ignite the Pilot: You can use a long lighter or a match while pressing the pilot button and holding it for 30 to 60 seconds so that the thermocouple warms up.
• Release the Button Slowly: The pilot should stay lit. But if it goes out, you need to wait a few minutes and try again.
• Close the Panel and Turn the Gas Back On: You can switch the valve to “On” and ensure the main burner ignites when you run hot water.

If the relighting didn't work or it's not staying lit even after a few tries, you need to call a gas water heater repair service immediately. They'll inspect the issue and fix problems by replacing a faulty thermocouple, repairing gas supply issues, clearing clogged pilot tubes, and more.

How To Maintain Your Gas Water Heater’s Pilot Light?

If you've already fixed the issues with your gas water heater's pilot light, your next step would be to prevent future problems. And you can do that by using these tips!

• You'll need to clean your thermocouple every six months to remove dust and corrosion.
• You'll need to flush the tank once a year to get rid of dirt and debris that can affect the burners.
• You'll need to ensure that the area around your water heater is safe from the harsh winds.
• You can call for professional gas water heater service once a year to fix small issues before they become big problems.

Pilot light flickering out? Book Your Inspection Now!

Questions You Might Have About Your Gas Water Heater’s Pilot Light

1. How do I know if my water heater’s pilot light is out?

You can check for a small blue light at the bottom of your water heater. If you see there's no flame, the pilot light may be out.

2. Can a power outage affect my water heater’s pilot light?

No, pilot lights don’t use electricity to work. They rely on gas and a thermocouple to stay lit, so a power outage won’t put them out.

3. Does the color of the water heater’s pilot flame matter?

Absolutely! A healthy pilot flame should be mostly blue. If you notice yellow or orange flames, it may mean there’s an incomplete combustion or dirt in the burner.

Takeaway

Your gas water heater's pilot light ensures you always get hot water in your home. But if it stops working, you can inspect the problem by checking the gas supply valve, testing the burner tube, verifying proper alignment of the thermocouple, and more. 

If you find any persistent issues with the gas water heater's pilot light, you need to call for professional gas water heater repair in Sacramento to fix the problems right away!

Read more!

1. Is Your Water Heater at Risk of Exploding? Key Safety Tips and Precautions

2. Water Heater Efficiency Ratings & Local Regulations – Are You Up to Date?

3. What Are the Common Challenges of Water Heater Installation?

4. 6 Signs You Need Water Heater Repair Immediately

Preferred Plumbing & Drain - Your Reliable Gas Water Heater Experts!

At Preferred Plumbing & Drain, we have 19 years of experience in gas water heater service in Sacramento. Our plumbers are licensed, bonded, and insured, and can provide you with the highest quality of work at all times. 

Besides sewer and drain services, we also provide gas water heater installation in Sacramento. You can rely on us as we always respond to your calls and are ready to help you 24/7. 

When you come to us for plumbing needs like water heater installation service in Sacramento, we'll exceed your expectations and offer you friendly and reliable services. So, call us now at 800-414-0340.