What You’ll Need
If you wake up to a cold shower, your water heater may be the culprit. Fortunately, relighting the pilot light is a relatively easy fix. Before you start, make sure you have these tools on hand:
- A flashlight or work light
- A long-handled lighter or matchstick
- Protective gloves and glasses (optional but recommended)
Once you have these items, you can begin the process of relighting your water heater and restoring hot water to your home.
Turn Off the Gas
Before you relight your water heater, the first thing you need to do is to turn off the gas. You don’t want any gas leaks while you’re trying to light the pilot light or work on your water heater. The gas valve should be located on the gas line leading into your water heater tank. You should be able to turn the valve easily by using a simple quarter-turn. If you’re not sure where your gas valve is, check your owner’s manual or look for a label on the tank.
Once you’ve turned off the gas valve, wait for a few minutes to allow any remaining gas to dissipate before proceeding. Otherwise, you may risk a gas build-up or worse, a gas explosion. It’s important to keep in mind that gas is hazardous, so take your time and follow all safety precautions.
If you smell gas in your home, leave the area immediately, and do not turn any electrical devices on or off. Call your gas company or the fire department immediately, and don’t go back inside until they have checked everything out and given you the all-clear.
Inspect the Pilot Light
One of the first things you need to check when your water heater won’t light up is the pilot light. In most cases, pilot lights go out because of a gust of wind, a malfunctioning thermocouple, or a buildup of soot in the burner chamber. Therefore, inspecting the pilot light should be the first step in relighting your water heater.
To inspect the pilot light, locate the access panel, typically found near the bottom of the water heater, and remove it. You should be able to see a small flame burning in the pilot light. If there is no flame, then it means the pilot light is out. If the flame is yellow and flickering, then you need to clean out the vent hood and burner assembly since this indicates the presence of soot.
If the pilot light is out, then you need to relight it. You can follow the instruction manual to relight the pilot light. In most cases, you need to turn the gas valve to the pilot position and hold it down while you use a flame to ignite the pilot light. Hold the gas valve down for about 30 seconds until the pilot light stays on. Once the pilot light is on, release the gas valve and close the access panel.
Relight the Pilot Light
If you find that your water heater is not producing hot water, the problem may be a result of a pilot light that has gone out. Fortunately, relighting the pilot light is a simple process that can be done with minimal fuss.
Before attempting to relight the pilot light, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Not all water heaters are the same, and it is important to understand the unique requirements of your water heater before proceeding.
Firstly, locate the pilot light assembly which is typically located at the bottom of the heater, near the gas valve. Make sure to turn the gas knob to the “off” position and wait for a few minutes to allow any gas that may have accumulated to dissipate.
Next, you will need to gain access to the pilot light itself by removing the access panel. Using a flashlight, locate the pilot light burner, which is a small tube that runs parallel with the gas supply tube. You should be able to see the end of the pilot light – a small, blue flame.
If the pilot light has gone out, you can relight it with a match or ignite it with the electronic igniter. If you are using matches, make sure that you use a long-handled lighter or a fireplace match. This will allow you to safely reach the pilot light without risking injury.
Once you are ready, turn the gas knob to “pilot” and, while holding down the knob, use the long-handled lighter or electronic igniter to light the pilot light. You may need to hold the knob down for a few seconds to allow the thermocouple to warm up and the pilot to stay lit.
If the pilot light remains lit, turn the gas knob to the “on” position and replace the access panel. You should now have hot water again!
If you are stuck and cannot relight the pilot light, or if you have tried to do so several times without success, you may need to contact a professional plumber. They will be able to identify the source of the problem and fix it for you, ensuring that your water heater is safe and operational once again.
Restart the Heater
When your water heater goes out, it’s not only inconvenient but can also be a hassle to light it again. However, with some simple steps, it is possible to get your heater working again. Here are the steps on how to relight your water heater.
1. Turn off the Gas: Before you start relighting your water heater, ensure that you turn off the gas valve to the heater. This is important to avoid any potential gas buildup.
2. Locate the Pilot Light: The pilot light is located inside the heater tank and should be visible through a small window. Look for a small tube connected to the gas valve and follow that tube to the pilot light.
3. Turn the Control Knob: Once you have located the pilot light, turn the control knob to “Pilot” and hold it down to release gas into the pilot tube.
4. Light the Pilot: Use a lighter or matches to light the pilot light by placing them close to the pilot tube opening. Once the pilot light is on, continue holding down the control knob for about a minute or two to allow the thermocouple to heat up.
5. Turn Up the Temperature Dial: After waiting for a couple of minutes, turn the temperature dial back up and wait for the water to heat up again. It is important to be patient as it might take a few minutes for the water to heat up to the desired temperature.
Remember that if you follow the above steps correctly and your pilot still won’t light, it is best to call a professional to come and take a look at your heater. Trying to fix it yourself could lead to further damage or even an accident.
In conclusion, relighting your water heater can be a simple task if you follow the correct steps. Remember to be patient and cautious during the process and always turn off the gas before attempting to relight the pilot. Stay safe and warm with your newly relit water heater.
