The pilot light is the small flame that lights the burner on a gas water heater. Understanding it explains the most common gas heater failure and how it gets fixed.
The flame
A small flame burns continuously at the pilot assembly, ready to light the main burner. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Pasco, the gas valve keeps a steady trickle of gas feeding it.
The thermocouple
A sensor near the flame generates a tiny current that holds the gas valve open. If the flame goes out, the sensor cools and the valve shuts off the gas.
The ignition
When the thermostat calls for heat, the gas valve opens and the pilot lights the main burner. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Pasco, the burner heats the tank until the thermostat is satisfied.
The outage
A draft, a dirty pilot tube, or a failing thermocouple can snuff the flame. The safety valve then keeps the gas off, which is why there is no gas smell.
The relight
Relighting follows the steps on the heater: set the valve to pilot, hold the button, light it, and hold until the sensor warms. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Pasco, a pro does it safely.
The care
Keep the area clear and the burner clean so the flame burns steady. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Pasco, a pro can clean the assembly and replace the thermocouple.
The call
Get the flame back safely. Call 888-217-3585 and Pasco Plumber Connect will match you with a Pasco pro for the fix.
Plumbing in Pasco: what to know
In Pasco, rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Benton County — from Kennewick, Richland and West Richland to ZIP codes like 99336, 99352, 99354 — 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 Pasco?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Pasco Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Pasco.