How To Clean Pilot Light On Gas Fireplace
If your gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit, you might assume it’s broken and beyond repair. You might think it’s so old that it can’t be fixed, or you may worry that the fireplace is irreparable. Fortunately, this isn’t necessarily the case. With a little effort and know-how, you can get even the most stubborn pilot lights to stay lit. Your gas fireplace may also have a pilot light that keeps going out. This problem is often caused by a buildup of soot in the pilot chamber or exhaust pipe. These seven solutions should help you keep your pilot light from going out again anytime soon!
1. Check the Ignition Timer
The ignition timer is the part of your gas fireplace that lights the pilot light when you turn on the heat. If the timer is broken, it won’t “know” when to light the pilot light, which could be causing your pilot light to go out. The timer should be replaced if it’s more than five years old, or if the pilot light won’t stay lit for longer than a couple of hours. To replace it, shut off the power to the fireplace, then unscrew the timer from the wall. Take it to a hardware store, and match it with a new one.
2. Check the Venting
If the pilot light goes out and won’t stay lit, it could be because the gas isn’t flowing properly. To make sure that’s not the case, make sure the pilot light is venting properly. If the pilot light isn’t venting, it may be because the exhaust pipe is clogged. You can check this by holding a lit candle near the end of the pipe. If there’s a strong flow of air, the pipe isn’t blocking the pilot light. If there’s no flow of air, there’s a blockage somewhere in the pipe. You can clear the blockage by using a long dowel rod to poke through the pipe.
3. Check the Gas Valve
If your gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit, you may have a problem with the gas valve. The valve is responsible for releasing the gas from the tank and into the fireplace. If the valve is broken, it may not be letting enough gas into the fireplace to keep the pilot light burning. To check the valve, turn off the power to the fireplace and the gas to the house. Use a screwdriver to remove the valve from the wall. Take it to a hardware store, and match it with a new valve.
4. Check the Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is a small device that sits inside your fireplace. It’s designed to detect whether or not the pilot light is burning. If the pilot light goes out, the sensor should automatically turn it back on. If the pilot light won’t stay lit, one of two things may be going on. The sensor may be broken, or the sensor wires may be loose. The sensor is attached to the wall with two wires. If the wires are loose, they may not be sending a signal to the sensor. To check, turn off the power to the fireplace, then use a screwdriver to tighten the wires.
5. Turn up the Thermostat
The thermostat is a knob inside the fireplace that controls the temperature. If the pilot light won’t stay lit, you may need to turn up the thermostat. The thermostat may be broken, or it may be set too low. To fix this problem, turn up the thermostat. You may also have to replace the thermocouple, which is a wire that sits inside the pilot chamber. If the thermostat is set too low, the thermocouple may be broken or the pilot light may be broken. To replace the thermocouple, turn off the power to the fireplace, then remove the pilot light housing with a screwdriver.
6. Check for Carbon Monoxide Leaks
If the pilot light won’t stay lit, it may be because there are carbon monoxide leaks in your fireplace. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can come from a variety of sources, including gas fireplaces and water heaters. To check for carbon monoxide leaks, use a CO detector. If the detector beeps, you may have a leak in the fireplace. To fix the problem, clean out the pilot chamber and the exhaust pipe with a brush and a damp rag.
7. Install a New Pilot Light Gas Kit
If everything else fails, you can always install a new pilot light gas kit. This is a quick and easy solution that’s designed to solve all the common problems that cause a pilot light to go out. To install a new pilot light gas kit, shut off the power to the fireplace and turn off the gas to the house. Use a screwdriver to remove the pilot light housing and the gas valve. Replace the pilot light housing with the new kit, then replace the gas valve. Turn the power and gas back on, then light the fireplace and hope for the best! As you can see from this list, most problems with a pilot light are easy to fix. If your pilot light keeps going out, try these solutions to see if any of them work for you! If all else fails, you may need to install a new pilot light gas kit.
