Cleaning Gas Water Heater Pilot

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.

Cleaning gas water heater pilot.

Turn on the water heater. 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. Allow the tank to drain completely flushing out flakes of mineral deposits along with the cooled water. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris.

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. After scrubbing further clean the thermocouple of the water heater with a microfiber cloth to remove excess particles. Open a hot water tap close. A blast of compressed air or a quick turn with a water heater cleaning brush can keep the gas pilot tube and surrounding parts clean and in good working order.

Sometimes the tube might be partially clogged and supplying very little gas for combustion no wonder your pilot light keeps going out. Occasionally or at least seasonally check the gas pilot orifice for soot or oxidation buildup. Unthread the nut to detach the burner supply tube from the gas or control valve. Use the crevice attachment to clean underneath the tank around the pipes and behind the hot water heater.

You must have the pilot lit and the burner on for this test so that gas is flowing through the large tube. How to fix a plugged pilot hole on a water heater. Reopen the shutoff valve relight the pilot then turn the control valve to on. Use a slender needle to gently unclog the tube.

Relight the pilot light too and wait to see if the water will heat up. Step 3 wipe the hot water heater down with a dry cloth to get rid of as much dry dirt as possible. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the hot water heater tank. Next unthread the nuts or screws securing the burner plate itself.

Be aware you may need to detach a pilot supply tube as well. If it does congratulations. Once you re sure the thermocouple is clean fix it back to the unit.