How a patio heater works, and where it fails
A gas patio heater is simple. Gas comes from a propane tank in the base or a natural gas line, through a regulator and a control valve, up to a burner at the top. A pilot lights the burner, and a thermocouple sitting in the pilot flame tells the valve it's safe to keep gas flowing. A tilt switch shuts everything off if the heater gets knocked over. The heat bounces off the reflector or radiates from a steel emitter screen.
The failures follow that path. Thermocouples weaken after a few seasons and stop holding the valve open, so the pilot dies when you let go of the knob. Spiders build webs in the pilot tube and burner, which is why so many heaters fail on the first cold night of the year. Piezo igniters crack or lose their wire. Regulators on propane units wear out or trip into low flow. Tilt switches get stuck after a heater is moved. All of these are fixable.
What patio heater service includes
- Propane tank connection, regulator and hose checked and leak tested
- Natural gas connection and shutoff checked on hardwired units
- Pilot assembly cleaned, including the pilot orifice
- Thermocouple tested and replaced if weak
- Piezo or electronic igniter tested, electrode gap set
- Tilt switch checked
- Burner and venturi cleared of spider webs and debris
- Emitter screen and reflector cleaned
- Control valve operation and shutoff checked
- Test run on high and low with flame pattern checked
How the repair goes
- 1
Safety first
Gas off at the tank or line, and the heater cold. We set tall heaters on a stable surface before opening them up.
- 2
Diagnose
We try to light it, watch what happens, and test the thermocouple and igniter. The symptom usually points straight at the cause.
- 3
Clean the gas path
Pilot, burner and venturi get cleared. On a heater that's been sitting, this alone often fixes it.
- 4
Replace worn parts
Thermocouples, igniters, regulators and pilot assemblies are common parts that we usually have with us.
- 5
Leak test and run
Every connection is leak tested, and the heater runs long enough to confirm it stays lit and heats evenly.
Signs your heater needs repair
- The pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the knob
- The igniter clicks with no spark, or sparks with no flame
- The burner lights but the emitter never glows, or glows on one side only
- Black soot on the reflector or top of the heater
- A low flame even with a full tank
- Gas smell at the tank or the top of the heater
The guide to patio heaters that won't stay lit walks through what you can safely check first.
Restaurants and commercial patios
Restaurants in LA lean on patio heaters for much of the year, and a row of heaters that won't light on a busy evening is a real problem. We service commercial patio heaters on a schedule, usually before the cool season starts in fall and again midway through, and handle repairs as they come up. If your restaurant also has grills or a smoker, we can roll that into one visit through our commercial service.
What's not included
We service gas patio heaters. Electric infrared heaters need an electrician for anything beyond cleaning, and we don't install new gas lines or hardwire new heaters to a gas supply that isn't already there. Badly rusted heater posts and bases, which are common on cheaper heaters near the beach, usually aren't worth repairing, and we'll tell you if that's the case. For gas fire pits and fireplaces, see fire pit service and fireplace service.
Patio heater questions
Why does my patio heater go out when I let go of the knob?
Almost always a weak thermocouple or a pilot flame that isn't fully hitting it because the pilot is partly clogged. Both are quick fixes.
Can you fix cheap patio heaters from big box stores?
Usually, yes. They use similar thermocouples, igniters and regulators. If the post and base are rusted through, it may not be worth it, and we'll tell you.
Do you work on natural gas patio heaters?
Yes, both hardwired natural gas and propane. We service the heater and its connection, not the gas line to it.
How often should a patio heater be serviced?
Once a year before the cool season for a home heater. Restaurant heaters that run most nights benefit from service twice a season.
My heater makes a whistling or roaring sound. Is that normal?
A gentle roar is normal. A loud whistle or a flame that lifts off the burner usually means debris in the burner or an air mixture problem. Turn it off and have it checked.
What does patio heater repair cost?
It depends on the heater type and which parts it needs. Call or text us with the model and what it's doing, and we'll give you an idea.
Related repairs and guides
Patio Heater Won't Stay Lit
Why gas patio heaters go out after lighting, and the safe checks to try before calling for a repair.
TroubleshootingSpiders in Burner Tubes
Spider webs in burner venturi tubes are a common cause of weak flames and flashback fires. Here's how to spot it, clean it and prevent it.
SafetyHow to Do a Gas Leak Soap Test
How to check a propane or natural gas grill for leaks with soapy water, step by step, and what to do if you find bubbles.
SafetyGrill Safety Checklist
A practical safety checklist for gas grills and outdoor kitchens, from placement and gas checks to grease fires and what to do in an emergency.
Care & how-toOff-Season Grill Care in Los Angeles
How to look after a grill through LA's slower months, in regular use or sitting idle, including rain, marine layer, pests and Santa Ana season.
RepairThermocouple & Safety Valve
Burners that go out when you release the knob: thermocouples and flame safety valves tested and replaced.
RepairSpider & Insect Blockages
Spider webs and insect nests in burner venturis cleared before they cause weak flame or a flashback fire.
RepairRegulator & Hose Replacement
Worn propane regulators, cracked hoses and tired natural gas flex connectors replaced and leak tested.
RepairIgniter Replacement
Electrodes and igniter wires cleaned, regapped or replaced so every burner lights from the button again.
RepairGas Smell at the Grill
Smell gas at the grill? Safety steps first, then the common leak points and how a technician finds and fixes them.
RepairLow Flame & Weak Heat
Flames stuck on low and a grill that won't get hot: regulator bypass, blockages and gas supply problems diagnosed and fixed.
Get your heaters running
Call or text us with what's happening and a photo of the heater's model tag. One heater or a whole patio row, we'll quote it.