As your Water Heater Doctor, there could be several reasons why your water heater’s pilot light won’t stay lit. Let’s take a look at the most common ones:

Faulty Thermocouple: The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is on. If it can’t detect a flame, it shuts off the gas supply to prevent a gas leak. If your thermocouple is faulty or misaligned, it could be incorrectly registering that the pilot light is out and shutting off the gas.

Dirty Pilot Tube: Over time, the pilot tube can become clogged with debris, preventing the gas from reaching the pilot light and making it hard for the flame to stay lit.

Drafts: Sometimes, a strong draft can blow the pilot light out. This can happen if your water heater is located in a windy or drafty area.

Gas Valve Problems: If there’s an issue with the gas valve or supply line, it could be preventing the gas from reaching the pilot light consistently.

Old or Damaged Equipment: If your water heater is older, the pilot light assembly or the unit itself may be worn out or damaged.

Before trying to relight the pilot light, it’s essential to make sure there are no gas leaks. If you smell gas, immediately turn off the gas supply, evacuate your home, and call a professional or your gas company.

If you’re experiencing ongoing issues with your pilot light, it’s best to get professional help. The team at Water Heater Doctor is well-versed in diagnosing and fixing these kinds of problems. Our experts can identify the source of the issue and provide the necessary repairs or replacements to get your water heater up and running safely and efficiently.

Flushing a traditional water heater is an essential part of regular maintenance that helps to remove sediment build-up inside the tank, improve efficiency, and extend the lifespan of the unit. Here are the steps that we at Water Heater Doctor recommend for a safe and effective water heater flush:

Turn Off the Water Heater: If you have a gas water heater, turn the thermostat to the ‘pilot’ setting. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the power at the circuit breaker.

Connect a Garden Hose to the Drain Valve: The drain valve is located near the bottom of the water heater. Make sure the other end of the hose is positioned where it can safely drain hot water. This could be a floor drain, a laundry tub, or outdoors. However, ensure it doesn’t pose a scalding risk to people or pets, or damage plants.

Turn Off the Cold Water Supply: This valve is usually located at the top of the water heater.

Open a Hot Water Faucet: Choose a faucet located above the level of the water heater, and open the hot side. This prevents a vacuum from forming in the lines while you’re draining the tank.

Open the Drain Valve: Allow the water to flow until it runs clear. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour depending on the level of sediment.

Flush the Tank: After the water runs clear, turn on the cold water supply to the tank. Allow the water to fill the tank and then drain it out again. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.

Close the Drain Valve and Remove the Hose: Make sure the drain valve is completely closed to prevent leaks.

Refill the Tank: Close the hot water faucet you opened earlier, then turn on the cold water supply to the tank. As the tank fills, air will exit through the hot water faucet. Once a steady stream of water flows from the faucet, you can turn it off.

Turn On the Water Heater: For a gas water heater, turn the gas back on and relight the pilot if necessary following the manufacturer’s instructions. For an electric heater, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.

Remember, the water will be very hot, so take necessary precautions to prevent scalds or burns. It’s also a good idea to have a bucket, towels, and a pair of gloves handy in case of any spills.

If you are not comfortable doing this yourself or if you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Water Heater Doctor. We are always ready to assist you in maintaining the health and efficiency of your water heater.

A pressure regulator, also known as a pressure reducing valve, is a control valve that reduces the input pressure of a fluid or gas to a desired value at its output. In the context of a home’s plumbing system, it is designed to control and reduce the pressure of the water entering your home from the municipal supply.

The municipal water supply often has a pressure higher than what’s considered safe for residential plumbing systems. High water pressure can potentially damage a home’s plumbing fixtures and pipes, leading to leaks or even bursts. A water pressure regulator helps avoid such issues by maintaining the water pressure within a safe range, typically between 40-70 pounds per square inch (psi).

The regulator itself is usually a bell-shaped device that’s typically installed where the main water line enters the home. It operates without any manual intervention. When the water pressure from the municipal supply is too high, the regulator reduces the pressure by closing off the flow of water from the supply until the pressure within the home’s plumbing system has decreased to the desired level.

Like any other component of a home’s plumbing system, a pressure regulator requires periodic maintenance and may need to be replaced after years of use. If you’re experiencing issues like low water pressure, very high water pressure, or inconsistent water pressure, it could be an indication of a problem with your pressure regulator.

At Water Heater Doctor, our experienced team can assess your water pressure issues and provide professional repair or replacement services as needed to ensure your home’s plumbing system operates efficiently and safely.