Gas Water Heater Problems

ALWAYS turn the gas pilot control valve to “pilot” setting before troubleshooting your gas water heater.

Gas water heater heating problems are typically: a) The water heater doesn’t heat water at all; b) It doesn’t heat enough water; or c) Its pilot light does not stay lit. Most gas water heater problems are from a defective thermocouple, which is easily replaced.

No hot water at all This could be caused by numerous things. Check the thermostat first, it could be defective. It should usually read 120 degrees.

Not enough hot water This type of water heater needed adequete supply of fuel to work properly, like anything else. Check for proper flame from burner. A natural gas flame should be a bright blue with the tip of the flame having just a hint of yellow. A propane flame should have a bluish green color with a hint of yellow at the tip of the flame.

Pilot light acting up  Gas water heaters are equipped with a thermocouple. The thermocouple senses when the pilot light is lit. When the thermocouple goes bad it will not send the right signals to the gas valve. When that happens the gas valve will turn off and the burner will not light. When this happens you may need to re-tighten, reposition or replace the gas thermocouple.