How to Relight a Water-Heater Pilot Light

Introduction

If you have shut off your water heater for draining or repairs or to conserve fuel while away on a trip, you must relight the pilot manually. Here are a few steps to help you relight your water heater safely.

By: eHow Home & Garden Editor

Length: 1:35

Comments: 13

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Tips & Warnings:

If the control knob does not pop up when you release it, call for immediate service.
Watch out for sharp sheet-metal edges when lighting the pilot; better yet, wear work gloves.
Keep your face away from the burning chamber when lighting the pilot, turning the control knob or adjusting the thermostat.

Step1

Set the gas-control knob to the Off position and turn the thermostat to its lowest setting (typically clockwise in both cases). Wait 5 minutes for any gas to clear. If after 5 minutes you smell gas, do not proceed. Call the utility company for immediate service.

Step2

Open or remove the outer and inner access covers for the burning chamber using a wrench or pliers. Use a flashlight to locate the end of the pilot-light tube that extends from the gas-control valve into the burning chamber. Adjust your position so you can comfortably reach this point with a wooden match and see what you are doing.

Step3

Turn the control knob to the pilot position and immediately hold a match near the end of the pilot-light tube. Depress and hold the reset button on the gas-control valve (see illustration). Remove the match as soon as the pilot lights, but keep the button depressed for about a minute.

Step4

If the pilot does not remain lighted, repeat all these steps. Otherwise, turn the gas cock on the control valve to the On position, set the thermostat to the desired temperature and replace the access panels.

Comments

lilacmom said

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on 7/25/2008 Great Instructions! Being divorced after being married for 26 yrs, these are the hardest things for me to do! Your instructions were accurate and easy to follow! took me no time at all to get the pilot re-lite! Thank you! Thank you!

Singlemomrocks said

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on 6/19/2008 Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I'm a single mom and was very nervous about lighting my heater. The video made it very simple. eHow is the best!!

garybecca2002 said

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on 6/15/2008 THANK YOU! My husband was out of state and I needed to relight the pilot. He tried explaining it over the phone, but your video helped so much by showing me exactly where to light it! You saved us! :)

girliegirl007 said

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on 5/20/2008 thanks so much...I wasnt holding the match long enough...60 seconds...oops...hehe..thanks for making this household plumber aka 19 year old college girl .. haha...thanks again