Water Heater Pilot Light Out | Thermocouple

A pilot light that will not stay lit is the most common service call for atmospheric gas tank water heaters in Vancouver. About 80% of the time it is a $25 thermocouple, but a few other causes need diagnosis. Here is the homeowner walkthrough.

Free in-home consultation. Free written quote. TSBC-licensed installers. Call (604) 359-1081 or request a quote online.

Relight procedure

Turn gas valve from ON to OFF. Wait 5 minutes for any gas to clear.
Turn valve to PILOT.
Hold the red reset button down while sparking the igniter or holding a long lighter to the pilot tube.
Keep button held 60 seconds after pilot lights.
Release button — pilot should stay lit.
Turn gas valve from PILOT to ON.

If pilot will not stay lit (most common cause)

Thermocouple failure. The thermocouple is a metal probe in the pilot flame that generates a small voltage signaling the gas valve to stay open. When it dies (corrosion, age), the gas valve closes the moment you release the reset button. Fix: $25-$60 thermocouple, $150-$240 with labour.

Pilot keeps going out hours later

Drafts in the home: air movement past the burner can extinguish the pilot. Check vent termination and combustion-air intake.
Vent obstruction: a bird nest, debris, or partial collapse in the vent flue causes backdraft.
Gas pressure issue: low or fluctuating supply pressure.
Gas valve failing: $250-$450 valve replacement.

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Safety considerations

If you smell gas at any point during relighting, stop, ventilate the area, and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from outside. Never use lighters or flames near a leak.

When to call CANRO

Pilot will not light at all (gas supply issue).
Pilot lights but goes out within minutes (thermocouple).
You have relit 3+ times in a week.
Any gas odour.
Tank is 10+ years old — consider proactive replacement instead of repair.

Replacement vs repair math

Tank water heater age 8+ years with pilot issues = our recommendation is often to replace rather than repair. Thermocouple repair only buys 1-3 years on a tank already near end-of-life.

Get a free quote from CANRO

Free in-home consultation. TSBC-licensed technicians. FortisBC rebate paperwork handled.

📞 (604) 359-1081 Request a quote

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace the thermocouple myself?

Possible if comfortable with gas connections. We recommend a TSBC-licensed pro for any gas work — small leaks can be fatal.

Does newer tank have a pilot?

Most modern tanks (post-2010) use electronic ignition rather than standing pilots. More reliable, slightly more expensive to repair.

Why is my pilot blue and yellow at the tip?

Normal — blue is hot, yellow tip is just cooler. A yellow-only pilot indicates incomplete combustion → call us.

Is the cost of a tank replacement covered by warranty?

Only if the tank itself fails within warranty period. Thermocouples and pilot assemblies are not covered.

CANRO Heating & Cooling — TSBC Class-A gas-fitting licence · Red Seal HVAC certified · WorkSafeBC and liability insured · 4.9★ from 85+ Google reviews · Serving Metro Vancouver since 1999.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How long does a hot water tank last?

A standard gas or electric storage tank lasts 8–12 years. A high-quality tank with annual anode rod inspection can reach 15 years. Tankless water heaters typically last 18–22 years when descaled annually in Metro Vancouver's moderately hard water.

Should I switch to a tankless water heater?

Tankless makes sense if you have high demand (large family, multiple bathrooms running at once), want to free up floor space, or value endless hot water. Upfront cost is higher ($3,500–$6,000 installed vs $1,800–$3,200 for a tank) but operating cost is 25–40% lower for gas tankless.

My hot water tank is leaking — is it an emergency?

If the leak is from the tank body itself (not a valve or fitting), the tank is at end of life and needs replacement, usually within 24–48 hours before it floods. Shut off the water supply and gas/electric to the tank and call us.

What brands of water heaters do you install?

We install and service Bradford White, Rheem, AO Smith, John Wood, Giant, GSW for storage tanks; and Navien, Rinnai, Noritz, Bosch and Rheem for tankless units.

Can I install a water heater myself?

In BC, gas water heater installations must be performed by a TSBC-licensed gas fitter and are subject to permit and inspection. Electric tanks require a licensed electrician for the connection. CANRO handles permits as part of every installation.

What HVAC services does CANRO offer in Metro Vancouver?

CANRO installs, services and repairs boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, hot water tanks, tankless water heaters, gas fireplaces and air conditioning across Metro Vancouver. We work on residential homes, townhouses and condos throughout the Lower Mainland.

How long has CANRO been in business?

CANRO has been serving the Greater Vancouver area since 1999. Our founder George is recognised by customers as one of the most experienced boiler and hydronic heating technicians in the Lower Mainland.

What areas do you serve?

We cover all of Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, White Rock, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge.

Why does my water heater pilot light keep going out?

Repeated pilot outages usually point to a weak or failing thermocouple, which senses the flame and shuts gas off when it can't detect heat — the most common cause on tanks over 7-10 years old. Other causes include a dirty or misaligned pilot orifice, a draft in the water heater closet disrupting the flame, a faulty gas control valve, or venting problems causing gas buildup that trips the safety sensor. Because gas control valves and venting involve combustion safety, this isn't a DIY diagnosis-by-guessing job. CANRO's Red Seal certified, Technical Safety BC licensed technicians (LGA0043870) can test the thermocouple, clean the pilot assembly, and check venting and gas pressure in one visit, with same-day response available. If the unit is older and failing repeatedly, replacement may be more cost-effective than repeated repairs — tankless water heater installation runs $3,500-$7,500 if you're weighing that option. Call (604) 359-1081 to book a diagnostic.

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What Metro Vancouver homeowners say

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“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”

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“Five stars for Canro. We needed a replacement of a 30-year-old boiler. A new high-efficiency unit was installed—clean, professional work.”

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Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out: Causes and Fixes

Get your free quote

Relight procedure

If pilot will not stay lit (most common cause)

Pilot keeps going out hours later

Get a free quote from CANRO

Safety considerations

When to call CANRO

Replacement vs repair math

Get a free quote from CANRO

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Related tankless deep dives articles

What Metro Vancouver homeowners say

Need heat, hot water or cooling? Talk to a real technician today.