Parable of the Pilot Light
The other day the pilot light in the water heater went out. I carefully followed the directions on the side of the water heater. It sparked, briefly flared, and went out. I tried again, and again it poofed out as soon as I released the button. I tried a third time, even setting a timer to make sure I held it for at least a minute, as recommended. Yet again, the little blue flame winked out of existence. For the next fifteen minutes I attempted to light the pilot with increasing desperation while Googling frantically for a fix and shushing the kids impatiently waiting for much-needed showers. Was it the thermocoupler? A short in the wiring? A clog in the valve that controlled the gas intake? And what the hell was a thermocoupler anyway? I turned off the gas, I turned it back on. I fiddled with the thermocoupler wire and checked the fittings for leaks. I banged on the thrice-cursed chunk of metal. Nothing worked. Fina...