Why does my hot water heater keep going out?

Why does my hot water heater keep going out?

Thermocouple Issues If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light's flame.

How do you know if your water heater thermocouple is bad?

A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems. When thermocouples wear out, the pilot light goes out, the burner won't light, and you will have no hot water.

Why does your hot water heater 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.

How do you diagnose a bad thermocouple?

If you can't get the flame to light at all, and you're sure the gas is on, there's probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that's the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.

Why does my hot water heater keep going cold?

If you've noticed that your hot water is suddenly turning cold after a very short amount of time, the most likely cause is a broken dip tube inside your hot water heater. Signs your hot water problems are caused by a bad dip tube.Sep 6, 2017

Why does my water keep turning off?

If the low water pressure seems restricted to a single faucet or showerhead, the problem isn't with your pipes or water supply, but with the fixture itself. If it's a sink, the most common causes are a clogged aerator or clogged cartridge. These cloudy spots block the flow of water and decrease water pressure.

How do you clean a dirty thermocouple on a water heater?

In cleaning a thermocouple, you need some steel wool or 60-grit sandpaper, and a cloth. First, turn off the gas supply, unscrew the thermocouple and then clean it with steel wool or sandpaper then wipe down with a cloth to remove residue. I clean our thermocouple every six months to avoid getting it coated with soot.Aug 6, 2021

What to do if 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.

How do you check if a thermocouple is working?

Place one test lead on the side of the thermocouple and the other to the end that screws into the gas valve. If the thermocouple has proper continuity, a small resistance reading should be visible on the multimeter. Many multimeters also indicate continuity with an audio alert.

Why is my water sometimes hot and sometimes cold?

If your water temperature fluctuates, the pressure-balancing valve might be to blame. Your pressure-balancing valves open and close depending on your water flow in your plumbing system. If cold or hot water levels drop, a broken pressure valve could cause a drop in water pressure.

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.

Why does my hot water keep going hot then cold?

If your hot water heater temperature switches between hot and cold, there may be a problem with the control thermostat. Your water heater has two thermostats, an upper and lower. Fluctuations between hot and cold temperatures indicate that only the upper water heater circuit is working.

How do you test a thermocouple with a multimeter on a water heater?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx6rZA9Yxv4

Why does my hot water keep going in and out?

Dirty Pilot Light and Insufficient Flame A dirty pilot light for gas heaters can also be the culprit for a water heater not remaining on. Similar to how if there is insufficient flow of gas to the pilot it won't stay lit, a pilot tip that is too dirty for gas also results in the flame going out.

What are the symptoms of a bad thermocouple on a furnace?

A bad thermocouple itself can prevent a gas furnace or boiler from working - if you can light the flame at the pilot manually but then the flame goes out when you release the manual gas feed valve, the thermocouple is probably bad.

Can I use sandpaper to clean a thermocouple?

Cleaning the thermocouple You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire connects to the thermocouple terminal.

Why does my hot water go cold then hot again?

When the heater runs hot, then cold, then hot again, it is referred to as a cold water sandwich. Two water demands have been placed on the system back-to-back. Either space out the water demands or replace your current heater with an on-demand water heater with greater output.Aug 3, 2021

How do you test a thermocouple on a fireplace?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTfgQ-mro1I