Blog

Water Heater Pilot Keeps Going Out

Every household needs a functioning water heater to take hot showers, clean the house, and do everything else you need hot water for. Unfortunately, even if you pay your gas bill on time every month, there can be situations where your water heater doesn’t work properly. If your water heater pilot light keeps going out, you can use several remedies to resolve this problem. Water heater problems can impact your daily life and cause extreme frustration if you don’t fix the issue immediately – so don’t wait!

Reasons Your Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

The first thing you should do when your water heater pilot light keeps going out is determined the reason for this. The following are several reasons why your water heater pilot light isn’t working correctly.

  • There’s too much dust on your thermocouples, and it’s getting in the way of the igniting process.
  • Your thermocouples are outdated, causing the malfunction and making your pilot light go out.
  • The igniting device is bent out of place because of frequent use.
  • Your gas company is experiencing problems causing gas shortages throughout your neighborhood.
  • Your thermocouples are broken.

If you’re unsure why your water heater pilot light keeps going out, you should call a plumber for a proper diagnosis. In many cases, you can’t fix your water heater on your own, and waiting too long to call a plumber can impact your day-to-day routine. 

So don’t delay, give us a call and let us sort out the issue safely.

Clean Your Thermocouples

The first thing you should do when you notice your pilot light keeps going out is clean your thermocouples. You’ll need to shut off your gas supply to ensure you don’t accidentally cause a fire during this cleaning process. Then, you can use a standard duster to eliminate excess debris on your thermocouples that could be causing the pilot light to go out.

Should You Work On Your Water Heater By Yourself?

If your pilot light needs dusting, then you can complete this task on your own by turning off your gas temporarily while you dust the area. Otherwise, you should call a professional to fix your water heater to ensure you don’t cause a dangerous accident. Fixing your water heater without a professional can put you and your family in a dangerous situation. Water heaters use gas to function, and you should never mess around with household gas.

How Long Will It Take For Your Water To Heat Back Up After Relighting Your Pilot Light?

After you relight your pilot light, you should allow your water heater at least two hours to warm back up. However, the amount of time it takes for your water heater to warm up will depend on the size of the heater. Unfortunately, larger water heaters might take up to five hours to heat up, while smaller water heaters could only take one hour.

You should check your pilot light frequently to ensure it doesn’t go back out while you wait for your water heater to warm up. If the water heater pilot light keeps going out, you’ll need to call a plumber to resolve the issue. 

How a Plumber Can Fix Your Water Heater

The best thing you can do when your body heater pilot light keeps going out is to call a plumber to diagnose and fix the issue. If you don’t call a plumber to fix your water heater pilot light, you could ignore the main problem causing your pilot light to go out. This situation will lead to several instances of you not having hot water. When you call a plumber, they will look at your thermocouples to determine if the problem is fixable or if you need a replacement, but either way when they are done you’ll have a solution.

Final Thoughts

Contact us at (520) 214-2149 when your water heater pilot light keeps going out so you don’t have to keep dealing with this problem. Do you need hot water to get through the day and going without can cause extreme frustration and cause you to sacrifice your hygiene? Our professionals will come in for emergency or routine services so that you don’t have to deal with your water heater pilot light going out any longer.AuthorepsPosted onCategoriesPlumbing

Post navigation

PREVIOUS

Recommended Posts

Tankless or Traditional: What’s the Best Water Heater Option for Your Home?

The decision between tankless and traditional models for replacement water heaters in Tucson can make a real difference in your daily comfort and long-term costs. Let's take a closer look at how each type works, which will help you pick the right fit for your household. Traditional Heaters more Traditional tank-style water heaters store a set amount of water, usually 40 to 80 gallons, in an insulated tank and keep it hot constantly using either gas or electricity. When you turn on the faucet, hot water flows from the tank while cold water refills it at the bottom. Tankless Heaters These heaters only give you hot water when you need it. Cold water passes through a heat exchanger inside the compact unit, and out comes hot water, nearly instantly. Pros of Both Let's consider the pros of the traditional heaters first: They're cheaper up front Installation is simpler because most homes already have the connections in place When it needs replacing, it's simple and often same-day They can handle a high flow rate (lots of usage simultaneously) The pros list for the tankless heater is also enticing: Less wasted energy from water being heated when it's not needed No running out of water, no matter how many people take showers Longer tank lifespan Takes up less space Cons of Both Here's the downsides to be aware of with traditional heaters: They use more energy (much more, in some cases) They run out of hot water, and you have to wait while they refill They're bulky and need more room for placement They need to be replaced sooner than tankless As for tankless heaters, be aware that: Installation costs are usually higher Initial purchase price is higher Flow rate is lower unless you invest in a bigger (or multiple) units Scale can form inside the heat exchanger faster than in a tank model Best Water Heaters in Tucson: Local Factors There are a few local factors that might also influence your decision. We have hard water, so that means scaling is more of an issue. Both types of heaters need to be flushed to prevent buildup, but the tankless might need it more often. We've also already got high energy bills with the hot summers we have here, so trimming that with a tankless model can make a big difference over time. Tankless water heaters pay for themselves in energy savings in about seven years, and if you take care of your model, it can last up to 20.If you're still weighing the options for your specific setup, give us a call at Economy Plumbing Service LLC here in Tucson at 520-885-3510. We're a family-owned business with more than seventeen years of honest, no-pressure service here in Tucson. We'll walk through your usage, space, and water conditions to help you choose the heater that actually fits your home and lifestyle. We also serve clients in Vail, Rita Ranch, Oro Valley, Green Valley, and surrounding areas.

Gas line repair and inspection in Pima County, AZ.

Are Your Gas Lines in Safe? Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

We rely on our gas lines in Tucson to heat our homes, give us instant hot water, power our stoves, and more. Keeping your gas line safe is a serious responsibility, because the dangers of a problem in the gas line can be deadly. Here's some warning signs to look out for. Warning Signs That Gas Lines in Tucson Are in Trouble Emergency Signs more Some warning signs are emergencies, and you cannot ignore them. Call your gas provider or emergency services and leave the area immediately if: You smell a sulfurous odor in or immediately around your house People in the house are suddenly and inexplicably experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath If gas is escaping into the house, it can cause you and your family serious physical harm. The gas, as you breathe it, begins to displace the oxygen in your blood. You gradually asphyxiate or suffocate if you are exposed to too much for too long. Non-Emergency There are other warning signs that are less immediately serious, but you need to pay attention to them, regardless, as they could quickly turn serious: Corrosion Always inspect your pipes regularly, and if you see rust or other corrosion on them, be sure to call a qualified contractor right away. There may also be an issue if you notice flaking or bubbling of paint near your gas lines or a lot of dampness and residue around the fittings. A professional can seal joints and even replace a bad section of pipe if needed. Hissing If you hear hissing near a gas appliance or a meter, it likely means that gas is escaping. Even a little bit of a leak can increase your bills, of course, and indoors, it can create a very dangerous condition. Contact a professional contractor right away to take a look. If it's a single appliance, turn off the gas to that appliance. Bigger Bills If your habits haven't really changed, but the cost of your gas bill keeps going up, try turning off all your gas appliances and writing down the meter reading. Then, wait for an hour or two and check the meter again. If it has gone up, you have a leak. Low Pressure If the flame on your stove or in your furnace doesn't have the power it should have, then you could have a leak somewhere in the line leading to that appliance, or there could be a blockage. There also could be a faulty regulator in the appliance itself or corrosion in the piping. If several appliances seem to be affected, then the issue could be farther down the line and could be either your responsibility or something that your utility company needs to deal with. A contractor can investigate the situation and help you figure out what's going on. If you're noticing any issues with your gas line, schedule an appointment with us at Economy Plumbing Service LLC in Tucson or call us 24/7 at 520-885-3510. We also serve Vail, Rita Ranch, Oro Valley, and Green Valley.

home water repiping plumber in AZ

Signs Your Home Needs Repiping: When Tucson Homeowners Should Replace Old Pipes

Most homeowners do not think about their plumbing pipes until there is a major leak or a sudden drop in water pressure. However, aging pipes can create ongoing problems that repairs may only temporarily fix. If your Tucson home has older plumbing, whole house repiping may be the right solution to improve reliability and prevent future damage. Economy Plumbing Service, LLC helps homeowners identify when their plumbing system needs more than another repair. Knowing the warning signs can help you address problems before they become expensive emergencies. more What Is Whole House Repiping? Whole house repiping involves replacing old or damaged plumbing pipes throughout a home. Instead of repairing one failing section at a time, repiping replaces aging pipes with new plumbing materials designed to provide better water flow and long-term performance. Many older Tucson homes still have original plumbing systems that may be affected by corrosion, mineral buildup, and years of use. Signs Your Home May Need Repiping Frequent Pipe Leaks If you are regularly dealing with leaking pipes or repeated plumbing repairs, the problem may be the age and condition of your entire plumbing system. Multiple leaks in different areas of your home often indicate that the pipes are reaching the end of their lifespan. Low Water Pressure Low water pressure throughout your home can be a sign of restricted or deteriorating pipes. Mineral buildup from Arizona’s hard water can collect inside plumbing lines over time, reducing water flow and making faucets and fixtures less effective. Discolored Water Brown, rusty, or cloudy water may indicate corrosion inside older pipes. While occasional discoloration can happen for several reasons, ongoing issues should be inspected by a professional plumber. Noisy Pipes Banging, knocking, or rattling pipes can point to underlying plumbing problems. While some noises are minor, consistent sounds may indicate aging pipes or pressure issues that require attention. Older Plumbing System The age of your home is an important factor when considering repiping. Many older homes in Tucson have plumbing materials that can become more vulnerable to leaks, corrosion, and reduced performance over time. Why Tucson Homes Can Have Unique Plumbing Issues Arizona plumbing systems often deal with hard water, which can contribute to mineral buildup inside pipes. Over years, this buildup can restrict water flow and place additional strain on your plumbing system. For older Tucson homes, replacing outdated pipes can help improve water pressure, reduce repairs, and provide a more dependable plumbing system. Is Repiping Better Than Constant Repairs? If you are frequently repairing leaks or dealing with ongoing plumbing problems, replacing your pipes may be more cost-effective than continuing temporary fixes. A complete repipe can provide: Improved water pressure Fewer plumbing repairs Reduced risk of leaks More reliable water delivery Schedule a Repiping Inspection in Tucson, AZ If your home has frequent leaks, low water pressure, or aging pipes, Economy Plumbing Service, LLC can help determine whether repiping is the right option. Our Tucson plumbing team provides professional repiping services and whole house pipe replacement to help homeowners protect their homes and improve their plumbing systems. Contact Economy Plumbing Service, LLC today to schedule a plumbing inspection and find out if your Tucson home needs repiping.