Relight Hot Water Tank Pilot - once every 3-6 months

[mitch5280]

Every 3-6 months I have to go down to the basement and relight the pilot on the hot water tank once every 3-6 months. I go through the steps and it lights back on with no problem.

Any clue why this happens and what I can do about it?

Thanks!

 

[bud16415]

My guess is you are getting a back draft from wind etc and it is blowing it out.

Not sure where your exhaust goes but I had that problem with a chimney once and i put a rain/bird cap on and it solved the problem.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Guzzle]

If the pilot extends "well above the thermocouple, it's too strong. If the flame covers the top of the thermocouple and burns steadily with a yellow tip, that's just about right."

Also, somebody may make a flapper valve for the vent that allows only upward air flow.

A high wind area may be trouble.
http://design.medeek.com/resources/wind.html

 

[mitch5280]

It vents to the side of the house about 3 feet up from the ground. I'll look into some type of cap.
Thanks!

 

[maxdad118]

If you have access to the pilot hood(where the pilot flame originates), blow some compressed air down it. You do NOT want a candeling flame but a strong blue flame on the 3/8” upper tip of the thermocouple. Also depending on your style tank, if it’s a sealed unit, the combustion air opening could need a cleaning.

 

[ajaynejr]

How old is the water heater? Maybe the thermocouple is wearing out, which can lead to random widely spaced in time loss of the pilot flame as you are experiencing.

 

[Guzzle]

"A typical gas or oil fired water heater life expectancy is from 8-12 years" which proly includes 95% of heaters.
If yours is within this interval, only 3% chance it failed due to age & your number came up. Unlikely that the WH abused the TC so the TC then failed for some reason within itself.