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The hot water heater pilot light won't stay lit after the last windstorm
Last Tuesday we had that big wind come through the North Valley and my aging 40-gallon Bradford White water heater in the utility room wouldn't keep its pilot on. I tried cleaning the thermocouple with some sandpaper but it's still flickering out after about 20 seconds. I'm thinking about just replacing the whole unit since it's 12 years old, but has anyone had luck just swapping out the thermocouple on these?
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the_christopher1mo ago
Man that windstorm was brutal, I know a few folks down the road who had pilot lights acting up after it too. A 12 year old unit is usually past its prime so you might be right about replacing it, but a thermocouple swap is cheap and easy enough to try first if you're handy. Worst case you're out twenty bucks and a half hour of messing around before you go buy a new one.
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the_lee1mo ago
Holy crap, 12 years old? That things practically an antique in water heater years. I mean, my last one started making weird popping noises at like year 8, I gave up on it fast. Honestly though, your thermocouple idea is probably just a bandaid on a failing system, especially after that storm. I'd be shocked if the thing doesn't have sediment a couple inches thick in the bottom by now, might as well put the money toward a new one.
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