This winter, nothing can be worse than finding out that you have a malfunctioning water heater. Most water heaters do not work because of a damaged pilot light. If broken, it will not stay lit even when the heater is turned on. Check out the common reasons below!
Thermocouple
- Dirty Thermocouple
With age, dirt and debris may build up in the thermocouple and around the pilot light. If neglected, the dirt can block the sensors thus, preventing the flame to stay lit for a long period. Be sure to keep the thermocouple free from dust and other elements that can clog it. Before cleaning, turn off the gas and let it cool down for a while.
- Bent Thermocouple
Let’s say that you just cleaned the thermocouple, but the pilot light still won’t lit. In this case, the problem might be a bent thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device attached to the pilot assembly located at the bottom of the water heater. It turns off the gas automatically once it sensed a fire hazard. But bent thermocouple may also lead to
Bad Electrical System
Another cause of a pilot light that does not stay lit is incorrect/bad electrical wirings. Short circuit and blown fuse of the water heater are two of the most common issues encountered by most Middlesex, NJ residents concerning their electrical system. Repairs should only be done by professional electricians.
Flex Tube
Flex tube connects the water heater and the gas controller. Any problem in the flex tube can affect thee the current of gas to the unit that may affect how it works. What you need to do is to ensure that the tube is free of kinks and anything that damage or clog it.
Insufficient Gas Supply
Without enough gas, the pilot light will neither lit nor spark (except for electric water heaters). Always check your gas line to know if there is sufficient supply to use throughout the cold season. Inspect the connections in the gas line and make sure that everything is in place.
Doing even simple repair jobs are not yours to do! Just leave the job to us at Supreme Heating & Air Conditioning. You can depend on our trained and experienced team to do simple and complicated HVAC jobs. Call or message us for your inquiries and questions.
