My turn…
Flame rollout …yep sure looks to me that way…
Those “ashes” aren’t just ashes that is part of an incomplete combustion clue.
Aldehyde’s… CO danger issue Danger… danger …danger… Death to occupants soon… White powdery substance…
Does it smell like sweaty rotten socks? Headache anyone…??
Lack of Combustion air for that appliance . The pilot will light and the flame will turn orange and eventually produce CO when the burner kicks in… if the room is soooo air tight as an earlier post stated.
Also it could be “blown out” constantly if backdrafting is taking place hence the constant re-lighting of the pilot. Spent matches…:shock:
Was this closet installed? or less then a 10:1 Ratio of air to gas??:shock:
Causes: flue blocked somewhere in the W.H. or flue connection to chimney.
Combustion air could also be “pulled” down the flue (back daft) due to several possibilities.
Wrong drafting all together with respect to flue, installation or connections.
Location of appliance in closet when not recommend.
Tight house, whole house fan or kitchen vent fans etc pulls air down the chimney.
What does the MFG state for the W.H… ? The first and foremost installation guide for any appliance… 