Gas Water Heater Pilot Light Won T Light

A thermocouple is a function on your water heater that senses the heat on the pilot light and allows gas to flow to the burner.

Gas water heater pilot light won t light.

When the pilot light goes out for any reason the thermocouple closes the burner s gas supply valve to prevent gas escaping and filling your house. Your water heater pilot light works in concert with other parts. If the pilot does not light the water heater will not heat. Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters.

The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn t lit it turns the gas off as a safety measure. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner. Here are some of the reasons your water heater will not.

It s easy to fix this water heater problem by yourself. However in some cases other issues can prevent the pilot light from being lit. If the pilot cannot be cleaned replace it. If the pilot doesn t relight if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly by far the most common cause is.

Your heater s pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner which is when people notice that the water heater pilot light is out. If the pilot is restricted try removing it and clearing it with a stiff brush and or compressed air.

When the water heater pilot light goes out first try relighting it following the directions on the water heater label. This equipment is the core reason why your water heater functions it also knows if the pilot light is on or off through an electric current that draws power from the pilot s heat. A pilot light is always burning while using a small amount of gas either a water heater is running or not. When it goes out the first thing you should try to do is relight the water heater s pilot following the directions on the water heater label.

Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a rheem water heater won t light or stay lit there are other reasons as well some easier to correct than others. Sometimes carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. The pilot ignites the water heater s gas burner. A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door.