[qridnhi]

I live in a townhouse that is only about two years old. Whenever the wind blows hard outside the pilot light on my hot water heater goes out. I cannot get it relit and when I am on the floor you can feel the wind blowing underneath the unit. ANY words of advice. I had a plumber out about three weeks ago to relight it from the wind. But I don't want to pay $50 every time I need it relit.
:rolleyes:

[ballengerb1]

You may need to get a hood installed to terminate the exhaust vent. Do you own or rent? Remember that most heaters have two doors that need to be reinstalled after lighting the pilot, this helps to block the breeze.

[qridnhi]

I own. The hot water heater is in the basement near a wall and it appears the wind is coming from underneath the insulation. But it is probably coming from the exhaust vent? Is that what you are saying?

[ballengerb1]

Yep, I am saying the breeze is coming down the exhaust pipe from the outside. At the top of your gas water heater there should be a small round hood about 6" in diameter that should hold the exhaust pipe about 1" above the heater. That hood is there to try to break the back draft but it may be just too much for it. Does your heater vent to the outside or does it go into a chimney?

[massplumber2008]

Hi guys:

Hey, Gridnhi"

How many times has the pilot actually gone out? Sounds like your water heater is the newer kind of water heater with a closed combustion chamber (see pic.). Where is this draft occuring.. All gas-fired water heaters manufactured after 2003 were required to be of this type. Your water heater should be a closed combustion chamber... see pic.

If so, super easy to light the pilot yourself.

Let us know and we will talk you through so you can do in future... Mark

But for now... continue dialogue with Bob (ballenger)... he is trying to find the best solution for you.

.