There’s nothing quite like a hot shower to kickstart your morning or a relaxing soak in a warm bath to unwind after a long day. That warmth it brings allows you to fully wake up or prepare for a good night’s rest. So it can be surprising when you’re hit with nothing but cold water when trying to shower or try to dip your toes in a freezing cold bath.

Typically, your water heater provides that much-needed warmth. But for some reason, its pilot light—that small flame that keeps the hot water flowing—has extinguished. Thankfully, you can get back to your regularly scheduled program by learning why your water heater pilot won’t stay lit below. This blog is here to shed light on this situation so you won’t have to question why your water heater pilot won’t stay lit anymore.

The Water Heater Pilot Won’t Stay Lit

We all need a little bit of light to navigate through life’s challenges. So you can imagine the frustration when the pilot light of your water heater extinguishes, leaving you in the cold. To solve this problem, you need to find the reasoning behind this unfortunate event first.

Improper Airflow

Your water heater can be a bit claustrophobic. If it’s confined to a tight and cluttered space, the pilot flame will no longer remain steady. To ensure your water heater has the proper airflow, give it some breathing room; the pilot light might decide to stick around.

Dirty Flame Sensor

The flame sensor of your water heater is essential for proper functionality. This ensures the pilot light is burning efficiently and will shut off the gas if there are any irregularities. Over time, the sensor can get dirty or covered in residue, causing it to misread the flame and interrupt the heating process. You can fix this issue simply by gently cleaning it, and things will be back on track in no time.

Faulty Thermocouple

The thermocouple is another essential component of a water heater, acting as its guardian. This senses when the pilot light is on and generates a tiny electrical current that keeps the gas valve open. If the thermocouple malfunctions, the gas valve may shut off, extinguishing the pilot light. Adjusting or replacing the thermocouple will ignite the pilot light.

Gas Supply Issues

In order for your pilot light to ignite, it depends on the gas supply. So you can expect the pilot light to die out if the gas supply becomes riddled with issues. To solve this problem, check for gas leaks, ensure the gas valve is open, and that it has adequate gas pressure. Then your pilot light will continue to burn.

Wear and Tear

Everything depreciates with time, even your water heater. So you can expect its components to wear down if your water heater is on the older side. These components will show signs of wear and tear, and the pilot light will struggle to stay lit. All you need in this instance is a replacement. Upgrading to new components or even considering a newer water heater model can make a significant difference in the reliability and efficiency of your heating system.

Call Appliance Repair Houston for Assistance

Your water heater’s pilot light might be small, but it has a huge impact on your home. Don’t let a rebellious pilot light stand in the way of your comfort and convenience. Instead, reach out to the professionals here at Appliance Repair Houston. We have an expert team armed with the knowledge of everything mentioned above and much more to restore your comfort with ease.  Give us a call so we can fix your appliance problems and bring warmth back into your home.