If your gas water heater doesn’t stay lit, you may have a defective control thermostat. … If the pilot light won’t stay lit and the thermocouple is okay, then the thermostatic control valve may be defective. Replacement of this part should be performed by a trained gas technician.
Herein, can I replace a thermocouple myself?
The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
Also, how do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my water heater?
If the pilot lights but the flame goes out as soon as you release the button after holding it for 60 seconds, then the thermocouple is bad. It’s possible to replace the thermocouple without removing the burner assembly, and many repair people do this.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas water heater?
Clean the thermocouple – using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
How long should a water heater thermocouple last?
In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
How much does it cost to replace a water heater thermocouple?
Thermocouple – $20 to $150
The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
What do you do if your hot water heater won’t stay lit?
What do you do when your water heater keeps turning off?
What To Do If Your Gas Water Heater Keeps Shutting Off
- Call Your Plumber. The first thing you should do is call your plumber. …
- Gas Supply Problems. Your gas water heater will turn off if it isn’t getting the fuel it needs. …
- Dirty Thermopile or Pilot Light. …
- Dirty Air Inlet.
What would cause a pilot light to keep going out?
The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.
Why does my hot water heater keep shutting off?
Dirty Thermocouple
If you can light your pilot light, but it keeps going out, the first item to check is the thermocouple. … If your gas water heater keeps shutting off, the thermocouple could be dirty, bent or damaged. The thermocouple is usually easily visible next to the pilot light.
Why does my water shut off randomly?
If you’re not getting any water in your home, it’s likely because of a problem with the water main. If you have an emergency shut-off valve, it could have accidentally triggered and stopped your water flow, or the valve could be open and impeding your water supply because it’s leaking.