Have you ever had your gas water heater go out, leaving you without hot water? It can be frustrating – especially during these cold Ohio winters! But fear not; Huber Heights Plumbing & Drain has got you covered! If your water flow is functioning fine, but the problem is you are enduring ice-cold showers and having to wash your plates with cold water, etc. – you are likely dealing with a snuffed out water heater pilot light. The good news is that relighting your gas water heater is a task that you can easily handle on your own with just a couple of tools and a little bit of knowledge.
WHAT TOOLS WILL YOU NEED TO RELIGHT YOUR WATER HEATER’S PILOT LIGHT?
- Flashlight
- Long-reaching lighter or matchstick (We suggest a long-reaching one to ensure you can access the pilot light area.)
WHAT ARE THE SEVEN STEPS TO RELIGHTING YOUR WATER HEATER’S PILOT LIGHT?
- Safety first! Before you do anything, make sure to turn off the gas supply to the water heater by finding the gas valve on the pipe leading to the heater and flipping it to the “Off” position. Please note that after turning the gas off, you must allow at least five minutes before proceeding to the steps below. This is STRONGLY recommended so the previously built-up gas has sufficient time to disperse – a step that is imperative when dealing with gas and flames.
- Next, you need to locate the pilot light area, which is usually near the bottom of the water heater and hidden behind a panel or access door. Depending on your water heater model, you may or may not have to remove this first to gain access to the pilot light opening.
- If the pilot light keeps snuffing out, the surrounding area could be dirty or clogged. Therefore, we suggest cleaning the pilot light assembly, including the pilot orifice and thermocouple, using a small brush or toothbrush.
- When five minutes have passed, go ahead and turn the gas valve to “pilot.” Doing this allows the gas valve to temporarily supply enough gas so the pilot can be relit.
- Then press and keep holding the “reset” button down while also utilizing your other hand to ignite the lighter or matchstick. Then bring it slowly toward the pilot light. And because we can’t stress enough, make sure to proceed with caution. Safety is a priority! When the pilot flame catches, you may let go of the “reset” switch.
- With the pilot flame now relit, take a minute to observe the flame so as to ensure it remains ablaze. You should see the pilot flame burning steadily with a blueish hue.
- Once the pilot light has relit, make sure to turn the gas supply on once again.
- If you had to remove a burner cover from the water heater initially, don’t forget to put it back on.
Voila! That’s it! Relighting your gas water heater may seem daunting, but with these steps, you’ll can hot water again in no time. If you are somehow still experiencing issues with your water heater. You can call Huber Heights Plumbing & Drain for all your plumbing needs today at (937) 764-3381 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!