Yesterday, I was planning on a hot shower before my son's OT session, unfortunately our gas water heater had other ideas, the pilot light had gone out. First time that it has done this in over a year, so I wasn't concerned. Today, it was out again. Do gas water heaters require any type of maintenance and cleaning or should I prepare to buy a new one. We bought the house a year ago and the heater has probably been here since the house was built in the early 70's.