Dealing with a hot water heater that only stays lit for a few minutes can be frustrating. This issue can disrupt your daily routine and make simple tasks like showering or doing the dishes a challenge.
Understanding the possible causes behind this problem is the first step towards finding a solution and restoring the consistent functionality of your hot water heater.
In most cases, this is caused by a failed or failing Thermocouple. The system would then shut off the gas supply for safety (in order not to fill the house with gas) if it thought there was no flame present.
Rather than attempting to fix the heater yourself, call a trained professional if you do not feel comfortable or lack the knowledge or tools to do so.
In the case of a completely failed thermocouple, the pilot will go out immediately. When a thermocouple is just starting to burn out, the pilot may remain lit for some time. Thermocouples are not too expensive since they fail fairly frequently.
Hot Water Heater Only Stays Lit For A Few Minutes [Several Possibilities Explained]
Whenever the pilot light doesn’t ignite the gas, a thermal shutoff automatically turns it off. The gas will not leak into your home unburned, which is a very harmful situation.
A pilot flame must be in contact with the probe. There may be a delay after lighting the pilot before this is activated, depending on the model.
Lack of ventilation is the next concern. Ensure that fresh air can reach the water heater. Get the vacuum out and get all the cobwebs and flammable dustballs out of the house.
A fresh air supply should be provided to the water heater location, either with a louvered door or with a vent line to the outside. Open them if necessary.
An over-ventilation situation, or a draft that blows out the light, is related to a lack of ventilation. Heater shields must be in place and there should not be anything blowing directly on the heater from the HVAC.
Last but not least, there may not be enough gas coming into the system. If a valve isn’t completely open, this could be the cause.
Another possibility is that condensation has built up in the line. A dead end cap should be located somewhere after the shutoff after a small pipe leads to it. This could fill up, I suppose.
What To Do If Your Gas Water Heater Keeps Shutting Off
Is there anything you can do if your gas water heater keeps shutting off and what might be causing it?
Call Your Plumber
Calling your plumber is the first thing you should do. Inhaling fumes or gas explosions can happen when a gas appliance isn’t working properly.
If you smell gas, you should immediately leave your home, with your family, and contact a professional. When this occurs, there’s a good chance that your home has a gas leak and you need a gas line repair.
The question still remains, what could be the cause of this problem? The homeowner should be aware of the possible causes so he or she can understand what their plumber is doing and prevent future problems.
This is a list of possible causes for a gas water heater that constantly shuts off.
Dirty Thermopile or Pilot Light
Water heaters can be significantly affected by dirty parts, which is one of the reasons why they should be regularly maintained.
There are many problems that can be caused by a dirty part. The most likely cause of your gas water heater turning off is a dirty pilot light or thermopile.
Soot, dust, and other particles can dirt the pilot light. By doing so, the pilot light will not receive oxygen, which it needs to remain lit. It will flicker off as a result.
If you don’t have your plumber clean out the debris, it will eventually go out again.
Gas controls are turned on by the thermopile when the pilot light is activated. It will not start heating the water heater if the gas controls are not activated.
You may be experiencing problems because your thermopile is dirty, old, or otherwise damaged.
Dirty Air Inlet
The gas water heater’s air inlet provides air not for the pilot light, but for its main burners. They will shut down if they do not receive enough oxygen due to clogged air inlets.
In cases where your pilot light won’t turn off but your thermopile seems to work normally, this could be the cause of your problems.
Your gas water heater can be kept in good condition by having it regularly maintained, just like other dirt build-up problems.
Gas Supply Problems
You will have to turn off your gas water heater if it doesn’t have enough fuel. It is possible for your heater to run out of gas for a variety of reasons. Gas leaks or faulty gas valves are most often to blame for these problems.
In the event of a leak, professional assistance is required immediately. It’s more likely that a defective gas valve is limiting gas flow to the appliance, which causes it to shut off.
Final Words
You may also need to check for a few less common problems that might be causing your gas water heater to shut off. It’s best to call a plumber if you need a water heater repair but aren’t able to diagnose the problem yourself.
Moreover, you will also be informed of what’s happening and what can be done to prevent future problems. Make an appointment with your local plumber today.
