I agree with the other answer you received. also look @ a flue fault (ie) air intake blocked due to cement work or roughcasting being carried recently restricting the air intake for complete combustion. Easy way to check is to re-light the pilot, turn on the hot water tap and watch the flame through the viewing hole, if the flame starts to lift up away from the burner then it is serching for oxygen and will eventually go out as it cannot find enough oxygen for the gas to burn. Remember in school where they showed you a burning candle and put a glass over it and the flame would rise and go out. Same thing. Not enough air No Fire
davegas
February 2009