Stop my pilot light going out!

[sarah123]

The pilot light on my water heater goes out when it gets windy, and it is tricky to get it lit again. Someone told me they bought a type of "shield" to go on the outside of the house and keep the wind out. Where can I get such a thing? Does it have a name?

[Clanad]

Usually, this is fairly easy to correct.  The vent pipe from the water heater normally runs to the roof of the house.  It is about 3 inches in diameter and should extend about 10 to 14 inches above the level of the roof.  At your local DIY source ask for a roof jack or roof vent cap.  It will be a small "roof" that fits over the stand-pipe and tightens with one or two screws.  It forms a shield above the pipe and keeps out rain water as well as breaking up the airflow over the top of the pipe which is causing a low pressure area, sucking air up the pipe, extinguishing the flame.  One question I would have, however, is did this condition just begin or has it been an annoyance since you've had the house?  If it only recently began, I would want to find out why and this may require a visit from the gas company.  BTW, all the terms I've used are for U.S. applications, but they should be relatively the same in the U.K.  Good luck...