Cleaning Gas Water Heater Pilot

Unthread the nut to detach the burner supply tube from the gas or control valve.

Cleaning gas water heater pilot.

The gas pilot cleaner is a tool kit that allows you to clean a gas pilot assembly easily without removing the orifice or pilot assembly from equipment. If necessary unthread any mounting screws and remove the burner access cover. Use a slender needle to gently unclog the tube. Next unthread the nuts or screws securing the burner plate itself.

Once you re sure the thermocouple is clean fix it back to the unit. You must have the pilot lit and the burner on for this test so that gas is flowing through the large tube. Relight the pilot light too and wait to see if the water will heat up. If it does congratulations.

After scrubbing further clean the thermocouple of the water heater with a microfiber cloth to remove excess particles. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the hot water heater tank. Allow the tank to drain completely flushing out flakes of mineral deposits along with the cooled water. If there is a thick layer of dust or dirt on your hot water heater use a shop vac to take off as much dust as possible.

Reopen the shutoff valve relight the pilot then turn the control valve to on. Turn on the water heater. Thorough cleaning should do the trick. Occasionally or at least seasonally check the gas pilot orifice for soot or oxidation buildup.

Use the crevice attachment to clean underneath the tank around the pipes and behind the hot water heater. When the gas burner comes on use a 50 50 dish soap water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. Be aware you may need to detach a pilot supply tube as well. Open a hot water tap close.

The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris. How to fix a plugged pilot hole on a water heater. Although an increasing number of gas water heaters have electronic igniters many still rely on a pilot light to ignite the burner when the.