Introduction
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A Bradford white hot water heater pilot is out. The first thing is we gotta clean the filter. I also discover pilot tube is leaking and is bad. I must change the pilot assembly also. Plumbing is so fun!
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Video
Morning, good morning, plumbing, nation, today's plumbing, adventure brings us to call the no hot water want a hot water here.
So I'm, not sure what the situation is, but I brought the compressor case.
We got clean that ceramic disc, and then hopefully it's something simple because I gotta be out at another job by nine I got to pick up some supplies for Rene all kind of self going on today.
You know what we do I'll, tell you what I just have some just half and half? Okay, we got another Bradford I'm going to break out the compressor and clean the filter.
I'm.
Sure it's clogged would get this hot hot water back on.
So we got a little couple more items here.
Let's get her done.
7:00, a.m.
My blankie, yeah, I couldn't.
Get here.
Yesterday, yeah, yeah.
It's just one hot water here does both? Yeah.
Okay.
I will get you on now.
Okay? Right.
I'm gonna check that out, Mike, mom, man and what's a little gas.
You know, no, no, you know, I know, you know, Monday's schedule sauce.
Man firing, you know, I had to go work Saturday up in a still Harbor down still Harbor.
Yeah.
So we'll get this cleaned up in a fired up for you.
Okay.
Mom man, let's, get her done.
She's.
Hot, never cleaned it.
These hippies got all gotta be cleaned.
You know how long she's been in here sitting here, Wow, sandy, right? That's.
All good.
We got this project needs to be cleaned.
Okay, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Let's.
Do it now? Baby, mama, yeah, for sure no now, you know, it's been a it's been a little crazy.
Man, what my schedule stinks, Mike, it stinks.
The fire department schedule.
Now, yeah, so you put it to us what you just put me at the border permanently.
This is looking pretty clean right here.
We stay Mike.
What do you think looks clean it's.
My man, Mike, what's up, AC legend, he's, a good get him some hot water.
Daddy, hi let's, give this joker face, that's, good enough, you're done baby.
You know, I'm like this actually has to be clean like you don't have no pad.
So it's, actually pretty clean in here.
Yeah.
But this has a filter, yeah, that it's gotta be clean with a compressor is all vapor.
Proof has never been done.
Yeah, I mean.
So do you want to change the parts and all but it's like having a filter or a lawn mower that's clogged.
They never gonna run that's.
The same principle exactly exactly so all right we're gonna put it back together and give her a go there's.
My compressor on out there for a minute it'll, be right? Right? Cool which one, oh, yeah, oh there's.
No doubt, Bradford's.
A good company know anything about this Julie right here, it's hard to just what we don't need it's.
So crowded not that in here like it's, gotta sit in this little bracket, that's, really tough.
Well, there it is Mike.
Yeah, I.
See it Oh Mike.
We hit we got.
We got her.
Daddy there we go bring me hot water.
Daddy, uh-huh, yeah, yeah.
Well, hopefully here in a minute we'll have this joker fired up for you, you know, you take one, yeah, you're going to that's.
Awesome.
Baby, yeah.
Okay.
Yeah.
Take your meds.
Man, we got listen.
We got stay around for when it's summertime, dawg, I, can't, wait for this weather to break, yeah, man, like snow me, killing it.
This summer I know, you are.
Ah, it's.
Awesome.
Man, yeah, it's.
Not summer down long enough, you know, there you go rockin.
Good for today.
Baby there you go there.
It is I, keep saying, I'm, not gonna use my pliers, but you know what I'm so good at them we'll, make sure are you good brother, that's? Why we're here back to the diner I got do some? How would it work now like some smoke pipe, you know, what? I mean I took it over for someone else? They retired.
Yeah, yeah, that's how it should be man, but it doesn't always work that way I smell a little gas here.
Okay, awesome.
Thanks.
Sir.
See it.
We got Mike there.
It is where my nephew had good news right on the Pala tube.
Now, why is it leaking it's tight? So let's, take it apart.
See what we got Mike.
Yeah, she's bubbling, she's, a bubbler.
Uh-Huh, yeah, take your party and take our part again, like a man we're gonna get it done? Right? Yeah, yeah, for sure I'm, all that Ben now it's been over a year.
Now, how fast this time doing? Yes, sir my mom have just got take care.
Yeah, there we go getting there done getting there done we're back on I got the right part this time, you know, yeah, I.
Hear you man, yeah, oh boy, oh boy, put it to us today.
Mikey.
This is all just from a leaky pilot.
Man, you know, we had the heater cleaned, yeah, so we got her.
Yeah, the lice is God now we're talking.
Yeah, we got this.
We got an athlete.
I had no idea wisely goodbye, tight, it anymore, I'm going to do damage to the gas valve itself.
We'll do that you know, put this back together as you didn't, put the new hot water, heater right now against my broken, I mean, for some reason, yeah, all right a P.
And here we go.
Hi here we go.
Daddy, we got it now.
Yeah, just everything did you subscribe because I'll be really going, you know? Did you see me? Yeah, yeah, are you so brother we're having fun, you know, you know what you can't? Crazy, Oh get in there, daddy, well, they're good.
We are gonna get her done.
Trust me, I, ain't break quick enough for me.
They all show the they don't do blow up now because actor guy, right? You punch it right? Right? Yeah? Once you touch it, they probably only do it because they got enough streets to do.
You know, you can eat water over here.
Next regime at is terrible man, that's.
Good.
It was, you know, I had 28 inches in my shop.
Huh? They got some.
We don't want that let's.
Do this way? Let's? Do this let's get her done work? I gotta learn to slow down.
I gotta be some of the places we can only do one job at a time like watch.
This is a global you watch yourself.
Oh, yeah, you're having gas pipe upside.
Your neck.
You know what? I mean for fun, hey, white.
There goes.
The pilot look at me now I'm trying to buy this pile like this I got a gas pipe in my neck.
This is some serious hazard pay Mike.
You guess? Well we got pilot.
We got a pilot, baby.
Okay, I got on low.
Uh-Huh here we go.
Mike.
Let's.
Try this baby.
Oh, oh there goes.
There goes a Mike.
You know, we like to say, right? And there goes another satisfied, bearing customer, mom, a little trying today.
We have some additional parts, but we got her done it.
We got that job done a little more complicated than I thought.
I guess League turned into a I'm.
Sorry, a hot water.
Heater, clean job turned into a gas leak on a pilot tube on a Bradford, hot water, heater turn into a trip to the supply house for Paula sembly turnin to another trip to the supply house, because they gave me the wrong one, which is my fault because I didn't bring the serial number I.
Just guessed it looked good, but it wasn't the right one.
So take two go with the bed, a little harder than I thought, a little more time-consuming, but we got it done.
FAQs
Hot water heater pilot will not stay lit? ›
Your water heater needs a proper air supply for the pilot light to stay lit. If there is not enough air, the pilot light will go out. This mostly happens in direct vent gas water heaters (DV). The most common cause of this problem is the draft near the unit's base.
What causes a water heater pilot light to not stay lit? ›Your water heater needs a proper air supply for the pilot light to stay lit. If there is not enough air, the pilot light will go out. This mostly happens in direct vent gas water heaters (DV). The most common cause of this problem is the draft near the unit's base.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my water heater? ›When you have a thermocouple that is going bad on your water heater, the most obvious sign will be a pilot light that always seems to be going out. If you light the pilot light but then find it extinguished less than a week later, you'll need to closely examine the thermocouple.
Why does my water heater pilot light go out when I release the button? ›If you let go of the pilot button too quickly, you may find that the pilot sputters and goes out. This is because the thermocouple has not had enough time to heat up. Unless it reaches a certain temperature threshold, it will not send the signal to keep the valve gate open.
Why does my hot water heater pilot keep blowing out? ›A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad? ›If the pilot flame ignites but goes out after you release the gas control knob, the cause may be a dirty or defective thermocouple. If the gas is on but the flame will not ignite at all, a pilot tube obstruction is the most likely issue.
What to do if your pilot light won't stay lit? ›Check the Thermocouple
If your pilot light won't stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.
Burner assembly
The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won't stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It's easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater's burning chamber, it's easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.
What is the average cost to replace a water heater thermocouple? ›Thermocouple – $20 to $150
The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
Why does my pilot light go out when I turn it on? ›
Any issues with the gas valve that supplies that gas to the flame, whether it be dirty or malfunctioning, can result in that flame going out. It's also possible that your gas supply has run low or out entirely, which will also cause the flame to blow out.
How do you clean a dirty thermocouple on a water heater? ›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. Be aware, you may need to detach the thermocouple from the burner assembly to clean it thoroughly.
Can you manually light a water heater with electronic pilot? ›All you have to do is hold the pilot knob down for 30 seconds and hold the ignition button at the same time. You do not need to use a lighter. Your pilot light will turn on!
What to do when water heater pilot goes out? ›In order to relight the pilot, remove the access cover at the bottom of the water heater. Both the control knob and the water temperature knob should be in the “Pilot” position. While depressing the control knob, light the pilot light with a long match or wand lighter.
Can cold weather cause pilot light to go out? ›Depending on where you live, your inlet pressure may drop when it gets colder (because of all the demand on the system) to the point where you don't have enough to keep things properly lit. Tonight is 6 F and windy. The pilot recently went out.
Will a pilot stay lit with a bad thermocouple? ›Nothing lasts forever, and when the thermocouple wears out, the pilot won't stay lit and your appliance won't work. The pilot can go out for a number of other reasons, however, so if you're having trouble getting the pilot to stay lit, the thermocouple may not be at fault.
How much does a bad thermocouple cost? ›If your thermocouple goes bad, there is only one thing to do: Replace it. If you hire a professional plumber to do this, it may cost up to $200 total. This is another repair you may wish to attempt on your own. The part itself should only cost $20 or $30.
What is the average life of a thermocouple? ›In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.
Why won't the pilot stay lit on my propane heater? ›If the thermocouple is too far from the flame, this can cause the pilot to go out and shut down the propane heater; you can fix this easily by moving the thermocouple closer to the flame. The thermocouple could also be worn out, in which case it needs to be replaced.
Can a plumber fix a thermocouple? ›The thermocouple on a water heater is what relays the gas control valve once the pilot light is lit to trigger it to turn on. The part is rather small and inexpensive, but replacing it requires the expertise of a professional plumber for safety reasons.
What stops a thermocouple from working? ›
Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break.
What happens if you hook up a thermocouple backwards? ›If you accidentally reverse the polarity of the thermocouple lead wires, the measured temperature will be incorrect by the difference in temperature of the two ends of the leads.
What happens if a thermocouple is dirty? ›One of the most common issues is that the thermocouple can get dirty. This will cause the thermocouple to make improper readings, which can shut off the gas supply to your furnace prematurely or prevent gas from reaching your furnace in the first place.
What is the most common thermocouple failure mode? ›The most common failure mode for thermocouples is for them to fail open, this is known as thermocouple burnout. Burnout can result from a variety of reasons including the thermocouple experiencing a temperature in excess of that for which it was designed, metal fatigue, and oxidation.
How often should a thermocouple be cleaned? ›As for how often the thermocouple should be cleaned, we recommend roughly once every six months or so.
Should I worry if the pilot light goes out? ›A pilot light may need to be re-lit from time to time after being extinguished on purpose or by accident. If it is accidentally extinguished, there exists a danger that the gas used to keep the flame lit will continue to vent, possibly into the living space.
Does gas still flow when pilot light goes out? ›The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself it could result in a very serious explosion.
Why does my pilot light keep going out after replacing thermocouple? ›If the pilot will lit but goes out after it reaches the temperature, it is the control valve. It happened to me. After the plumber replaced the control valve then it stays lit. You will have to order the control valve from the manufacturer.
What happens when a thermocouple goes bad on a water heater? ›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.
Can a thermocouple get clogged? ›The thermocouple may be hampered by a clog in the gas line or some other issue which prevents the gas from reaching it. This means it won't work even if every other aspect of the heating unit is functioning as it should.
Will vinegar clean hot water heater? ›
Vinegar is part of clearing and cleaning a clogged drain, and it's also helpful in removing sediment from water heaters. After you've drained your hot water tank, you can pour a gallon or so of vinegar through it.
How long after lighting pilot light will water be hot? ›How Long Will It Take to Get Hot Water Again? The average gas heater takes between thirty and forty minutes to heat a full tank of water. The exact time depends on the capacity. For comparison's sake: An electric heater takes at least an hour, usually up to 80 minutes, to warm up.
Is it safe to relight water heater pilot? ›Most homeowners can relight a pilot light themselves without any issue, but it's important to be safe when dealing with a gas-powered hot water heater. You should always proceed with care when relighting a pilot light, since the gas used to power your hot water heater is flammable and potentially dangerous.
Why does my gas water heater keep turning off? ›A dirty pilot light may go out, a dirty thermocouple may stop working, and other dirty parts may interfere with your water heater's function. Clogs are bigger a problem. A clogged thermocouple is the most common problem that causes shutdowns.
Can I manually light my water heater? ›Manual Lighting
If your water heater needs to be manually lit, hold the lit tip of a long barbeque lighter up to the pilot while continuing to hold down on the regulator knob. Hold the lighter up to the pilot until it ignites, then remove the lighter.
If the pilot doesn't relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater? ›Thermocouple – $20 to $150
The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
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.
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.
How long does a thermocouple last? ›In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.
What do you do when your water heater keeps turning off? ›
Water heaters may turn off as a result of dirt or a buildup of dirt that leads to clogs, which is why it's important to get your yearly water heater clean during your water heater maintenance appointment.
Will the pilot light go out if the thermocouple is bad? ›Nothing lasts forever, and when the thermocouple wears out, the pilot won't stay lit and your appliance won't work. The pilot can go out for a number of other reasons, however, so if you're having trouble getting the pilot to stay lit, the thermocouple may not be at fault.
Can a plumber replace a thermocouple? ›The thermocouple on a water heater is what relays the gas control valve once the pilot light is lit to trigger it to turn on. The part is rather small and inexpensive, but replacing it requires the expertise of a professional plumber for safety reasons.
Can you light a water heater with a bad thermocouple? ›A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won't stay lit.
Can you touch a thermocouple? ›Touching an exposed thermocouple allows you to become part of the circuit. It's likely that you either change the biasing for the thermocouple or affect the circuit in some way. To prevent this, make sure that the thermocouple has some sort of cladding or insulation around it.
Should the pilot light be touching the thermocouple? ›The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. If the flame is blue and weak, and barely reaches the thermocouple, it needs to be stronger. If it extends well above the thermocouple, it's too strong.