Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Dirty Thermocouple

Airborne dust coats the thermocouple probe, preventing it from sensing the flame and forcing the gas valve to shut off as a safety measure.

Faulty Gas Control Valve

Internal valve solenoids fail over time due to high ambient temperatures, stopping gas delivery to the pilot burner entirely.

Clogged Burner Assembly

Soot, debris, and corrosion choke the primary air orifice, starving the pilot flame of adequate oxygen for continuous combustion.

Drafts Blowing Out Flame

Strong wind currents through garage vents, unsealed access doors, or loose flue pipes can easily snuff out an exposed pilot light flame.

Sediment Overheating

Heavy Arizona mineral scale settles at the tank bottom, trapping heat and tripping the thermal cutoff switch to extinguish the burner.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Pay close attention to how your water heater behaves when attempting to light or reignite the assembly.

Pilot lights but goes out after seconds

Indicates a dirty or failing thermocouple unable to hold the safety valve open.

No hot water & burner won't ignite

Points to gas control valve failure or severe air supply blockage.

Rotten egg smell (Gas Leak)

Evacuate the area immediately, turn off the main gas valve, and call pros right away.

Recommended Fixes

Our licensed technicians carry full replacement hardware to restore your gas water heater on the spot.

Clean or replace thermocouple

Restores proper voltage signaling to maintain safe gas valve operation.

Clean burner assembly & orifices

Removes carbon and dust deposits for consistent flame combustion.

Replace gas control valve

Installs an updated factory valve when internal sensors overheat.

Flush tank to remove sediment

Clears mineral crust to lower bottom temperatures and prevent thermal trips.

When It’s Not Repairable

If the water heater tank is 10-12+ years old, years of severe sediment overheating may have permanently damaged internal components and tank lining.