Is it dangerous if your pilot light is out?
Ava White
Updated on April 08, 2026
Is it dangerous if your pilot light is out?
Pilot lights have a safety valve, which should cut the gas when the light goes out. If the valve is functioning properly, it will close and gases won’t escape. But if it is not working, your home may be filling with a dangerous gas.
Will water heater leak if pilot light goes out?
If the thermocouple isn’t working properly, then it’s possible that it’s allowing gas to leak into the very room where the heater is located. This can be very dangerous if the pilot has been out for hours, and the gas has been leaking the whole time.
What happens if my water heater pilot light goes out?
If the pilot light goes out, your water heater won’t be able to ignite the gas burner and therefore, won’t be able to heat the water. In fact, often the first clue your pilot light is out is the discovery that you don’t have hot water.
What happens if pilot light is not working on gas heater?
If your pilot light isn’t working on a gas heater, your gas valve can potentially continue to release gas in the air. Enough gas in the air causes a potentially dangerous situation, which can sometimes lead to major fires. If this is a concern, the easiest way to solve this issue is by turning off the gas valve on your water heater.
Is it dangerous if the pilot light goes out on the water?
This is how natural gas smells, and once you notice it, you must turn off the gas to the heater. Before taking such a dangerous matter into your own hands, try contacting the gas company, and wait for their instructions.
What should I do if my water heater pilot goes out?
After the pilot is lit, you must wait for a full minute and ensure that the pilot will stay lit before releasing the regulator valve. This hassle is not necessary with newer models, since they have an ignition switch present. Relighting the pilot in the more modern water heaters is very easy compared to their older versions.
Why does my water pilot keep going out?
Therefore, a dirty thermocouple might be the reason why your water pilot keeps going out. A layer of dirt and grime can hinder the electric current from reaching the thermocouple. As a result, the gas supply will be cut off and the pilot light will go out.
How do I check the pilot light on my water heater?
Open the door/cover over the pilot light access. This will be located under the gas valve; some water heaters just have an open gap instead where you can see the pilot light burner. Use a flashlight or a headlamp to find the burner inside. Two small gas tubes will lead to it.
How does a pilot light go out on a water heater?
Some of the most common reasons that water heater pilot lights go out include: A faulty thermocouple. Your thermocouple is responsible for sensing when your pilot light is lit. If it senses that the pilot light has gone out, the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the flame in order…
Should my water heater be on or pilot?
The water heater pilot light needs to stay lit for a number of reasons. Not only does it ignite the gas inside your heater, but it also helps to maintain the internal temperature of your water heater, which cools over time. Igniting the pilot light is the first step you take to turning on the water heater.
Why is the water heater pilot light keeps going out?
There are several things that can cause your gas water heater pilot light to keep going out. One of the most common is your thermocouple. If you are unfamiliar with what this device does, the thermocouple is a device in your hot water heater that uses an electrical current to determine whether the pilot light is on or not.