A gas water heater whose pilot keeps going out has a cause worth finding. Here is the Somerville guide.
Relight it safely
Follow the heater's instructions: turn to pilot, hold the button, and light it. If you smell gas, stop and call the utility.
Why it goes out
A dirty pilot tube, a failing thermocouple, or a draft blowing the flame out are the common causes.
The thermocouple
The thermocouple senses the flame and keeps the gas flowing. A worn one shuts the gas off, snuffing the pilot.
The fix
A pro cleans the pilot assembly or replaces the thermocouple. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes In Somerville, it is a routine repair.
Keep the flame lit
A pilot that keeps dying is not normal. Call 888-217-3585 and Somerville Plumbing Experts will match you with a Somerville pro.
Plumbing in Somerville: what to know
In Somerville, freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Suffolk County — from Cambridge, Medford and Everett to ZIP codes like 02145, 02143, 02144 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Somerville?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Somerville Plumbing Experts will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Somerville.