Bradford White Water Heater

Julie Bove · 2014-06-19T23:37:50+00:00

I have a gas one and it is giving me fits! Our old one began leaking on New Year's Eve perhaps 3 years ago. I can't remember for sure. Had problems ever since with it. Would not stay lit. I called repair once and he replaced the thermocoupler which I've been told is the most common reason why they won't stay lit. That wasn't the problem and I found myself lighting it over and over again to the point where I had to light it 6 times in one day. I gave up and called the plumber again. I had been putting this off as they charge $250 just to come out, then parts, then of course their service fee. This time they worked on it for a series of about 2 days, replacing one thing and another. The guy said there was some sort of updraft problem and that the only thing they didn't replace was the roof vent. They had one more part coming but they were sent the wrong thing so they decided to just give me a new water heater. Then I noticed that the older new one had dents all over it in places I couldn't see where it was installed. The guy had a problem getting it in the small space as the models they make these days are a lot wider. I thought perhaps he might have damaged it in some way in installing it. So now I have the new one. But... It too has problems staying lit! It was going out about every 2-3 weeks. Then the last time I had extreme trouble getting it lit. Someone (perhaps here?) suggested a website which I went to and also ordered a book from. In the book and also on the internet, it says to light these, you need to depress the pilot light button and then the igniter switch 10-15 times while still holding the pilot light button down. This after shutting it off for 5 minutes to clear out the gas. Well, I did that and it stayed light for a long time. Several months. But now it went out again! It's very annoying as it only seems to happen right when someone needs to take a shower. I just had a new roof put on, explained the problem to...

Jun 19, 2014 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

Stormin Mormon 12 years ago

Quoting Julie Bove: In the book and also on the internet, it says to light these, you need to depress the pilot light button and then the igniter switch 10-15 times while still holding the pilot light button down. This after shutting it off for 5 minutes to clear out the gas.

Vote

TekkieÃÂ® 12 years ago

Julie Bove posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP

I would call the Bradford White and ask them. Water heaters have changed where the flame and surrounding area is "explosion resistant". It cuts the gas if the flame is not sensed and trigger a mechanism to close, which is not repairable IIRC. My opinion is the installing company is incompetent. I agree it is a draft problem - at the heaters location. Is it in an enclosed room and does it have sufficient louver area?

Vote

Julie Bove 12 years ago

It's in the garage. Don't know about the louver.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required