Case Study: Water Heater Pilot Light Issue

The Call for Help

A homeowner in Lawrenceville, GA, reached out to us at First Priority Plumbing & Drain with a frustrating issue: their water heater’s pilot light kept going out every few days and was creating issues for them. Unsure of the underlying cause, they found First Priority Plumbing through our Google Guaranteed ad and booked an appointment right away. We made sure to respond quickly, sending Daniel, a master licensed plumber with over 10 years of experience in the Atlanta area, to handle the job early the following morning.

Diagnosing the Issue

Water heater issues are unfortunately very common. Having completed over 500 similar jobs over the years, Daniel immediately suspected a faulty thermocouple as the culprit—a common issue with pilot light failures. Instead of rushing into a full diagnostic and charging for that, Daniel recommended a more cost-effective solution first: replacing the burner assembly. He explained to the customer that if the pilot light continued to go out, we would then gladly come back to conduct a deeper investigation and get the problem fixed. Yet given his experience he was positive that it was creating the issue.

Professional Resolution

Daniel’s step-by-step approach to fixing the problem was both efficient and thorough:

  • Turned Off Gas Supply: First, he turned off the gas to the water heater to ensure he could safely operate.

  • Removed Old Parts: He disconnected the pilot tube, manifold tube, wires, and thermopile connectors to remove the old burner assembly.

  • Installed New Parts: Using a drill with a star bit and Phillips bit, as well as baby channel locks, Daniel installed the new burner assembly.

Quick and Reliable Service

Thanks to Daniel’s expertise and experience, the entire process took just 45 minutes and he didn’t need to call any of our other plumbers to assist. His careful approach ensured that the job was completed efficiently and quickly.

Customer Satisfaction

The customer appreciated that Daniel didn’t recommend an expensive diagnostic upfront but instead suggested a quick, affordable fix. This practical and transparent approach reinforced the homeowner’s trust in our services. We are homeowners here in Atlanta ourselves and our goal is to treat our customers as we would want to be treated, providing them affordable, practical solutions instead of trying to up-sell, drag out the repair, or mark up prices.


This recent example highlights First Priority Plumbing’s commitment to delivering expert, reliable service to all of our customers in north Atlanta. With experienced professionals like Daniel, who use high-quality tools and recommend sensible solutions, First Priority Plumbing & Drain ensures customer satisfaction at every step.

If you’re experiencing any plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to call First Priority Plumbing & Drain for a fast and expert solution!

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