When the Pilot Won't Stay Lit and the Tank Leaks
If your gas water heater's pilot light keeps going out and you have also noticed water around the unit, these two problems are frequently related, and the combination deserves prompt attention. A leak can drip directly onto the pilot assembly, the thermocouple, or the burner, putting the flame out and preventing it from relighting.
In many cases the sequence is: the tank or a fitting begins to leak, water reaches the burner compartment at the bottom of the heater, and the moisture extinguishes the pilot. You relight it, it works briefly, then water douses it again. That pattern strongly suggests a leak is the root cause, not a faulty pilot on its own.
Before anything else, if you smell gas, stop and treat it as an emergency. Leave the home, call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 or 911 from outside, and then call us at 604-359-1081. A pilot that will not stay lit can leave unburned gas present, so never ignore a gas odour.
Common Causes Behind This Combination
A leaking tank dripping onto the burner. When the steel tank corrodes through, water can trickle down the outside and into the combustion chamber, repeatedly killing the pilot. This means the tank has failed and needs replacement.
Condensation from a cold incoming supply. In some cases, especially on a newer or recently refilled tank, cold Greater Vancouver water can cause heavy condensation that mimics a leak and dampens the burner. This usually resolves as the water warms, but it should be verified.
A failed thermocouple or thermopile. This component senses the pilot flame and keeps the gas valve open. If it fails, the pilot drops out even without water present. Moisture can accelerate its failure.
A dirty or obstructed pilot assembly. Debris, sediment, or a clogged pilot tube can weaken the flame so it cannot hold. Combined with any dampness, the pilot goes out easily.
Safe Steps to Take Now
First, rule out a gas hazard. If you smell gas, follow the emergency steps above and do not attempt to relight anything. If there is no gas odour, you can proceed carefully.
Turn the gas control knob to PILOT or OFF and stop trying to relight repeatedly, because each failed attempt can release a little gas. Then look for the water source. Check the T&P valve, the drain valve, the top connections, and whether water is coming from inside the burner area, which points to a tank failure.
If water is reaching the burner compartment, do not keep relighting the pilot. Shut the gas off at the control, close the cold-water inlet if the tank is leaking, and call for service. Relighting a burner in a wet compartment is unsafe, and a leaking tank that has reached the burner is a clear sign the unit needs professional attention right away.
Why This Needs a Pro, and Who to Call
A pilot-out-plus-leak situation sits right at the intersection of gas safety and water damage, which is exactly why it should not be a DIY project. In British Columbia, gas appliance work legally must be done by certified gas fitters, and diagnosing whether the cause is a dead tank, a bad thermocouple, or harmless condensation takes trained eyes.
Water heaters are serviced by our parent company, CanroHeat. If the cause is a failed thermocouple or a cleanable pilot, that is a repair at the lower end of the cost range. If the tank itself has corroded through and is dousing the burner, replacement is the answer, often available the same day. We give an exact quote only after inspection, so call 604-359-1081.
The bottom line: a pilot that keeps dying alongside a leak is your water heater telling you it needs help. Stay safe, avoid repeated relighting, watch for gas odours, and call CanroHeat at 604-359-1081 to get it diagnosed properly.