I followed the instructions here, the pilot light is lit, but my main burner is not turning on. They are relatively cheap, and you can install one yourself. Do not attempt to relight a pilot with a regular matchstick or a small cigarette lighter, as this will require placing your fingers in a small, tight space too close to the open flame and put you in danger of getting burned. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. Low gas pressure or a malfunctioning gas valve may also be to blame if this process doesn’t work. The exact look of the buttons on new style tanks may vary, but many have a red igniter button set a few inches away from the temperature and regulator valves. Turn the gas knob to “On,” and listen for the distinct “whump” or whooshing noise of the main burner igniting. Hold this button down. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Plastic pieces in your water, which can be a sign of the dip tube degrading. This article has been viewed 371,392 times. You should hear a clicking noise until the pilot burner lights. Then, start the flow of gas by setting the gas valve to the “Pilot” position and pushing down on it. 3. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Use my Amazon link to shop. Turn the gas knob to “Pilot,” press and hold it down. If it isn’t, repeat the steps until it is. Never run out of hot water again. For tips on preparing how to light your water heater, read on! Replace the cover, and enjoy your hot shower. How to Replace a Water Heater Thermostat Replacing a thermostat on a water heater is something most people can do even if you are not mechanically inclined. If your hot water heater is no longer providing hot water and the tank is electric-powered, check the fuse at the breaker and make sure it hasn’t flipped. What is the issue? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. You can go a little longer, but usually not shorter. These, "Incredible! Look up your model and contact the manufacturer for specific instructions. Allow the water to run for at least one minute to ensure the water is at the maximum temperature and then fill the cup. When the pressure will raise inside the hot water heater and will find no place to escape, it may explode. Next, push the red ignitor button near the gas valve to light the pilot burner. If your water heater’s gas valve does not push down, look for a red control button near the valve. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. This will be located under the gas valve; some water heaters just have an open gap instead where you can see the pilot light burner. The most likely problem is that your thermocouple needs replaced. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Happy to say the pilot light is re-lit and everything seems to be A-OK! If the pilot light doesn’t relight or goes out immediately after relighting, you may have a bad thermocouple. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Don’t worry: in most cases, you can relight a pilot without calling in a professional, and you’ll have hot water again in a few hours’ time. When the pilot light heats the tip, it generates voltage that the control box senses so it knows that the pilot light is lit. By the third bucket, if the water from your heater is still coming out rusty, then most likely the water heater (not the piping) is at fault. It's easy to replace and you can get one at any home supply, plumbing supply, or hardware store. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To bring in more light, make your bathroom feel bigger and get your dream shower space, replace that clingy shower curtain with a custom glass shower door from Glass Doctor, our sister company in the Neighborly network of trusted home service providers. % of people told us that this article helped them. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC Copyright © 2021 Mr. Rooter, All rights reserved. Yes! Turn Off Gas to Hot Water Heater. An extremely limited duration of hot water. If it is, turn the gas valve back to “On” and set the temperature to your desired setting. If you have a gas hot water heater, find the gas pipe leading to your thermostat and pilot light and turn the valve to the off position. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. Your Water Heater Isn’t Producing Hot Water. Leave the area of the water heater and call your gas company immediately; they will tell you how to proceed. What do I call the device that I push down to make the spark to light the pilot? 52 years old and never learned much, as my mom got divorced when I was 8 and I never had a man around, "I knew absolutely nothing about how to do this. By using our site, you agree to our. 2. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. That's the small copper tube that runs from your water heater controls to the pilot light and has an end that sticks into the flame. Instead, they heat water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. This article has been viewed 371,392 times. Open the door/cover over the pilot light access. Caution: Be sure to keep your head away from the burner area when turning knob to "on". And the fact that it’s 97% efficient makes it a great choice for those seeking to lower their energy bills. Turn on your hot water tap and wait for about 4 … References. My water gas heater is not turning on. If you live in a home with a gas water heater and notice cold water coming from your hot water faucet, there’s a good chance your pilot light has gone out. Want to say thanks for the video? Thank you!". It’s important to know how to light your water heater’s pilot light so you can get the flame going again as soon as possible, not only to get your hot showers back but also to make sure no gas gets accidentally released into the house in the event of a broken flame sensor. Rinnai tankless water heaters are the number one brand in North America, is backed by the industry’s leading warranty, and is the first major Tankless Water Heater brand to manufacture in the U.S. It’s a no brainer. You’ll want to watch it as you work. The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot. This RV water heater uses an automatic direct-spark gas pilot and an internal electric heating element to get hot water ready fast. If it is, clean it and attempt this process again after 10-15 min. It is for information purposes only. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. To light an electric water heater, start by setting the temperature control to the lowest temperature and turning the gas regulator valve to the “Off” position. However, if your water heater is only a … What should I do if the pilot light won't light for me? This device is central to the operation and can tell if the pilot light is on or off by an electrical current that is powered by the pilot… Continue to push the pilot button for 1 minute, and check to see if the pilot is lit. Do not turn the gas valve back on until you have replaced the access panels. Odds are that the regulator has a malfunction and may need changed. When it comes to incredibly efficient water heaters, this is one is your best bet. Take your old one so you get the proper length. While having your heater’s instruction manual around is handy, it’s not entirely necessary, as most gas water heaters require a similar procedure for relighting the pilot light. If this doesn’t take care of the problem, you can get a new thermocouple at any hardware store for under $15. Natural gas is odorless by nature, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan to it to make it detectable to humans. Then release it slowly, and make sure the light is still lit. Odorless by nature, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan it. When the water heater label main sign that a pilot light is lit but. Best bet even a faint smell ), do not attempt to relight the button! Tank with a contribution to wikihow then, start the flow of gas ” too. 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