Why Does the Pilot Light Keep Going Out on My Boiler?

You might find that your boiler’s pilot light goes out for no apparent reason. Well, there is always a reason for everything, even if you don’t see it at first glance. In this article, the Fantastic Services team will list a few common reasons for this often-occurring fault.

So, why does the pilot light keep going out?

Damaged thermocouple

The cause for most pilot light issues is a thermocouple in need of replacing. A thermocouple is a small probe that extends into the pilot light’s flame. It has a thin metal wire that runs back to the gas valve.

Back-draft

Another possible reason may be that there is a back-draft down the flue, which could also cause the pilot light to be blown out. If something is obstructing the flue, the pilot light can go out as the burnt gas has no way of escaping. The gases will build up and extinguish the flame.

Faulty gas valve

A faulty or blocked gas valve could also be the problem. The gas valve controls the flow of gas into the pilot light. If it is blocked, gas flow will be reduced or stopped altogether. Sometimes, the gas valve fails altogether.

We know that all of this can be frustrating, that’s why we’ve created the boiler cover service. If you opt-in you’ll always have an expert for any boiler situations that arise, so you don’t lose your precious time figuring out what’s wrong with it.

If you’ve encountered this problem, it’s a good idea to contact a professional handyman to find the cause and fix it. At Fantastic Services, we are always ready to help you out with any technical problems you may have at home. So, get in touch with us as soon as you can!

***

Have you already come across this issue and fixed it by yourself? Or, did you call a professional? Give us a comment about your experience!

Image source: shutterstock / Oleksandr_Delyk