If your water heater has a thermocouple, it needs to be cleaned every year. Here’s how:

  1. Turn off the power to the water heater.
  2. Open the cover of the water heater and remove the thermocouple by unscrewing it from the pipe it’s attached to.
  3. Pour a pot of hot water into the water heater and place the thermocouple in it for about 10 minutes, or until it is clean.
  4. Rinse off the thermocouple and screw it back on to the pipe. Replace the cover of the water heater and turn on the power. ..