My water heater pilot light went out again

[Jodi1980]

..Second time in 3 days. Maybe time for a new heater???

 

[Robmom]

Probably. Mine did that when it was leaking and I needed a new one.

 

[monkeyboy]

How old is it?
Most will last 8-10 years.

It may just need to replace the thermocouple

 

[Raysplus1]

If it is gas, the burner may need cleaning. I would call a repair person and have them look at it before I replaced it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Pilot light going out is indicative of thrmocouple needing replacement, not the heater. Heater needs to be replaced when, or before, it leaks.

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1080/7_53/104551255/p1/article.jhtml

 

[pumba]

out.......when we used to have water heaters with a pilot light.....the dirt or dust would get in the way and then after a bit it would go out......remember to ask for them to clean the igniter

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
Pilot light going out is indicative of thrmocouple needing replacement, not the heater. Heater needs to be replaced when, or before, it leaks.

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1080/7_53/104551255/p1/article.jhtml

I'm curious...in order to replace it before it leaks..how do you determine when it's going to start leaking..

 

[msdznyduck]

WE just replaced our hot water heater this past October. THe pilot light had been going out for a few months,and we were thinking of replacing it anyway, since it was the original with the house, and the house is 24 yrs old. But DH kept putting it off, and relighting the pilot light.........well, we had the decision made for us after being away for a long weekend the beginning of Oct.
We came home to a flooded laundry, family room, and water spreading up the sheetrock walls. We got a new one right way, but what a mess.......
I would weigh how old it is, against any repairs. You can always have someone come out and look at it and see if it is worth repairing if it is only a few years old. Ours was just way past its life expectancy and finally gave up.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I was having to light my water heater just about everyday......if we kept the side door open (it is right at the top of the stairs) it would blow out.

We really do need to get a new one someday....ours is the original with the house.....1957!! But, I will probably just wait til it totally goes. Since it's been cold...and we have been making sure to shut the side door.....we haven't had a problem with the pilot blowing out.

My DH periodically vacuums out something on it.....