Water Heater
Water-Heater Pilot Will Not Stay Lit: What to Document Before Service
A symptom-recognition and service-preparation guide without pilot relighting, burner cleaning, or gas-control repair instructions.
A pilot that will not remain lit needs model-specific qualified service. Do not repeatedly relight it, clean the pilot or burner, remove the burner assembly, adjust flame, or alter the gas control.
Record these external clues
- Exact model and serial number.
- Visible status light pattern or error code.
- When the problem began and whether recent service or flooding occurred.
- Any gas odor, carbon-monoxide alarm, soot, scorching, unusual sound, or visible vent damage.
Contact the manufacturer and a qualified gas-appliance professional. Treat gas odor, a carbon-monoxide alarm, visible flame rollout, fire, or symptoms of exposure as an emergency: leave and call from a safe location.
Sources used
Decision aid: Water-Heater Pilot Will Not Stay Lit: What to Document Before Service
Start by identifying the relevant symptom, fixture, or planning question before choosing parts or arranging work.
Write down when the issue began, what changed, which fixtures are affected, and any model or service-history details. That record makes it easier to compare the article with the exact product documentation and to explain the problem if qualified help is needed.
- Record the exact model, fuel or power type, visible code, leak location, temperature symptom, and any alarm without opening the appliance.
- Match product-specific directions to the exact model manual and confirm local requirements where installation, gas, electricity, water quality, or structural work is involved.
- Stop for fuel odor, a carbon-monoxide alarm, soot, scorching, repeated breaker trips, active leaking, or pressure-safety concerns.
Authoritative references for this topic
Use the current version of these sources to verify safety, efficiency, health, or product-specific details that apply to your situation.