Can You Clean A Thermocouple On A Water Heater

How to Clean Thermocouple on Water Heater

Do you accept colder showers than you would similar, or is the water you apply for dishwashing experience lukewarm? Knowing how to clean thermocouple on h2o heater tin can assistance you bring back more than enjoyable showers, more efficient dishwashing, and others.

The thermocouple is an essential chemical element of your gas water heater's pilot lite, ensuring more efficient h2o temperature management. Unfortunately, it tin can rust or wear out over time.

There is no need to supplant your thermocouple when all you need are a bit of elbow grease, a few tools, and this step-past-footstep guide to breathing life back into your thermocouple.

Things You Need to Make clean Your Water Heater's Thermocouple

Can-a-thermocouple-be-cleaned

Cleaning your gas water heater's thermocouple is a pretty straightforward activity. However, there are a few preparations to become the task done.

1. An Adjustable Wrench

While open up-cease wrenches may suffice, yous may take a whole bunch of these tools on hand if you do not know the size of the different nuts in your system. An adjustable wrench eliminates the demand for several devices and makes your work more efficient.

2. Emery Cloth

Emery cloth is almost similar to a nail file which has an abrasive surface. The divergence is that an emery textile has a fabric backing, while an emery board or boom file has a wooden base. The office is similar, nevertheless. They sand or polish the thermocouple ends while also removing oxidized layers.

3. Lint-gratuitous Material

This blazon of cleaning cloth is ideal every bit a finishing touch on to the thermocouple cleaning process. Its main advantage is that information technology will not exit any fluff on the surface. Nosotros recommend a microfiber textile for cleaning the thermocouple.

4. Small Brush or Steel Wool

While not necessary, a small brush can help dust off particles from the thermocouple and the burner assembly. If the emery cloth cannot remove stubborn stains, yous can utilize a steel pool.

Step-by-footstep Guide to Cleaning a H2o Heater's Thermocouple

Can-you-clean-a-thermocouple-on-a-water-heater

Step 1: Turn Off Your Water Heater's Gas Supply

Always look later your rubber when working with your gas water heater. Plow off the gas supply to your unit. If your unit has a power cord, it would also be best to unplug it.

Some gas water heaters have two gas supply valves: one going to the gas furnace and another to the h2o heater. Information technology would be safer to turn both valves off.

Pro Tip: If your gas supply valve does not have a lever or a knob, yous can use a pair of pliers or a vise grip to shut off the valve.

Footstep 2: Remove the H2o Heater Burner Associates

If your burner has an access cover, unthread the mounting screws first. Loosen and remove the screws or nuts that secure the burner plate. Loosen the nut that connects the burner supply line to the control centre.

You will also disconnect the pilot calorie-free supply tube and the thermocouple. If your unit has any wires connected to the command center, you must disconnect these, as well. Bank check your tank base of operations if it has a vapor sensor. Detach the sensor if you take 1.

To gain access to the thermocouple, slide the burner assembly out of the water heater.

Pro Tip: If this is your first time removing the burner assembly, information technology would be best to take a picture of information technology before disassembly. The epitome serves equally a guide for you to reassemble the unit after cleaning the thermocouple.

Step 3: Make clean the Water Heater Thermocouple

Sand the thermocouple ends using an emery cloth. Some plumbers recommend using steel wool to remove stubborn stains on the thermocouple. Ensure you do not run into whatsoever dirt, soot, or remainder afterward cleaning.

Check the area between the thermocouple terminal and the ability wire for any sign of corrosion. Remove the rust if whatsoever.

Finish cleaning by wiping the thermocouple ends with a clean microfiber cloth or any other type of lint-free cloth.

Pro Tip: Avoid using and so-called thermocouple cleaning solutions, regardless of how convenient they may seem. Some of these products may comprise flammable chemicals that can pose a threat to your arrangement and your home.

Stride 4: Clean the Burner

Do not limit your cleaning duties to the thermocouple. At present is the best time to give the burner a thorough cleaning every bit well.

Get your steel wool or emery textile sandpaper to scrape as much stain as possible from the burner's top. Use a small brush to remove debris that might get into the burner ports or holes. Cleaning your burner will improve your gas h2o heater'southward efficiency.

Pace 5: Reassemble the Burner

Return the burner assembly into the water tank. Make sure to residual the burner tube on the subclass for security and stability. Secure the burner plate past threading and tightening the mounting screws or basics.

If your unit has a vapor sensor, reattach it first before reconnecting the different wires to the water heater gas valve. Position the thermocouple to the gas valve and secure it. Reconnect the airplane pilot light supply line and the burner gas supply tube to the control middle or gas valve. Replace and secure the h2o heater burner access cover.

Footstep 6: Turn On Your Water Heater

Open up your water heater's gas supply line and plug the ability string of your unit if it has 1. Plow on the pilot lite and conform the thermostat to your desired temperature. Information technology would exist best to dial in a temperature not higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check your water if it is in your desired temperature.

Decision

Do yous think our simplified guide on how to clean thermocouple on water heater is simple and like shooting fish in a barrel to follow? There tin be many reasons why your water heater is not producing hot-enough water. A dirty thermocouple is one of them, but one that many people overlook.

Now that yous know how to clean your gas h2o heater's thermocouple, y'all may want to share this knowledge with your friends. They will thanks for saving them from costly repairs and replacements while letting them enjoy the benefits of a fully functioning water heater. Practise share with us your thoughts, too.