The pilot light on my gas water heater keeps going out every few days. I relight it and it works for a while then goes out again. Is this dangerous?
A pilot light that repeatedly goes out is usually caused by a failing thermocouple, which is the small copper rod that sits in the pilot flame. The thermocouple senses the flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it wears out, it cannot sense the flame properly and shuts off the gas as a safety measure. This is not immediately dangerous because the safety system is working correctly by shutting off gas when it does not detect a flame. However, you should fix it promptly. A thermocouple costs $8-15 and is a straightforward DIY replacement. Turn off the gas, unscrew the old thermocouple from the gas valve and the burner assembly, and install the new one. Make sure the tip of the thermocouple sits directly in the pilot flame. If a new thermocouple does not fix it, the gas valve itself may be failing, which costs $150-200 to replace and is best done by a professional. Also check that no drafts are blowing out the pilot, especially if the water heater is near a door or in a drafty basement.
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