If your faucets are spitting out nothing but ice cold water – and you have an older gas water heater – the fix may be as simple as re-igniting your water heater’s pilot light.
The pilot light, the part of your water heater responsible for igniting the gas burner when the water in your tank needs to be warmed, can go out for all sorts of reasons, including unexpected changes in gas main pressure or environmental changes in your basement.
Whatever the reason, reigniting your water heater’s pilot is a fairly easy DIY task – if you’re extremely careful, patient, and take every safety precaution necessary to avoid getting burned. Want to give it a try? Here’s how to relight your water heater’s pilot:
1.) Turn Off the Flow of Gas
Start by locating the gas regulator valve on your water heater, which, as you may have guessed, regulates the amount of gas flowing to the pilot burner beneath your tank. The valve, which features a small knob, should be located on the outside of the unit, close to where the gas pipe enters the unit.
Turn the valve knob to the “OFF” position and wait for five minutes or longer.
2.) Ignite the Pilot Light
After you’ve waited, unsnap or remove any access cover that blocks access to your pilot light’s burner. From here, it’s best to take a look at the instructions on your water heater, because there are a few primary – and distinct – ways that a pilot may be re-ignited.
On some water heaters, you simply need to press down the gas regulator valve knob and turn it to “PTXOT,” starting the flow of gas to the pilot burner. On other models, starting the gas flow may be controlled by a separate button.
If your water heater has a built-in spark pilot igniter, look for the “IGNITION” button on the top or side of the gas valve. Press it, and wait to hear a click (which will tell you that the igniter has sparked).
If your water heater requires manual ignition, use a long-stem torch (like a barbecue torch) to maximize your distance. Apply the lighter flame to the pilot burner until it sparks.
3.) Turn the Regulator Back On
After lighting the pilot, hold down the regulator valve knob for at least a minute in order to spread the heat evenly and inform your pilot’s safety sensors that a flame is present.
Slowly let up on the knob. If the pilot light stays lit, you can turn the knob back to the “ON” position; you should hear a low, quick noise (like a gas stove being lit) as the main burner reignites. From there, replace the access covers and wait a few minutes before trying to use your hot water system again.
Have any more DIY plumbing projects you want to tackle? Too nervous to tend to your water heater without professional guidance? We understand, and we’re happy to help! Drop Combat Plumbing a line for all of your Red Oakland plumbing , water leak, sewer and gas line needs, day or night.
