Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit in Marietta? Here Is Why
Gas water heater pilot light won't stay lit in Marietta, GA? We cover the three usual causes: thermocouple, gas valve, or vent draft.
Three suspects, in order
When a gas water heater pilot keeps blowing out, the cause is almost always one of three things: a tired thermocouple, a failed gas valve, or a downdraft in the vent. Here is how to tell.
Cause 1: Thermocouple, the most common
The thermocouple is a small copper sensor sitting in the pilot flame. When hot, it sends a small voltage to the gas valve telling it to keep gas flowing. When it fails, the valve cuts gas the second you let go of the button. The part runs under $25. Labor in Marietta typically lands at $175 to $275.
Cause 2: Gas valve
If the thermocouple tests fine but the pilot still drops, the gas valve is usually on the way out. More common on units 8+ years old. A valve swap with labor lands at $450 to $650 across most Marietta homes, from Glover Park to East Cobb.
Cause 3: Vent or draft issue
Older homes near the Marietta Square or on the older streets off Roswell Street can pull a downdraft on a windy day, which kills the pilot. Check the vent. If it is loose, undersized, or shares a flue with a furnace that backdrafts, the pilot will keep blowing. Vent work needs a plumber, not a YouTube fix.
When to call
Not comfortable testing thermocouples or pulling the vent cap? Call (770) 555-0100. We diagnose on site, hand you a flat number, then work. We cover all of Cobb County and metro Atlanta, from Kennesaw down to Sandy Springs.
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