How to Fix Your Pilot Light
- Find your gas valve. It should have three settings: on, off, and pilot.
- You need to turn the valve to the off position for at least three minutes.
- Once you have had the valve at off for a few minutes, switch it over to pilot setting.
- You will need a match that is lit. ...
- Set the pilot valve to the on position.
Full Answer
How to relight the pilot light on a hot water heater?
Steps to relight the pilot light. Turn off the gas. Locate the gas shut-off valve on your hot water heater. Find the pilot light access. Typically, this will be under the gas valve. Open the cover to the pilot (if one is present) and look inside the opening with the help of a flashlight to find the burner, along with two gas tubes.
How do you turn off the pilot light on a gas furnace?
STEP 1: Turn off the furnace’s gas valve. On most furnaces, you’ll spot a small valve near the bottom of the unit with three positions: “On,” “Off,” and “Pilot.” Turn the valve to the “Off” position, and wait five minutes to allow any residual gas to clear from the pipes. STEP 2: Light the pilot light.
How do you light the pilot on a propane tank?
When a pilot goes out, relighting it is simple: Step 1: If there is a gas valve at the pilot, turn the valve to the OFF position and wait at least three minutes to let any built-up gas dissipate. After three minutes, turn the valve to the PILOT position.
How do you fix a gas water heater that is leaking?
Reopen the shutoff valve. Relight the pilot light. Turn the control valve to “on”. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. Note: When relit, the water heater pilot light flame should wrap around the thermocouple bulb.
How do you reset the pilot light on a gas heater?
Once the gas has had time to dissipate, turn the knob to "Pilot." Then, hold down the "Reset" button and bring the flame of a long lighter close to the pilot light opening. This should light the furnace pilot light. Once you are sure the pilot light is on, release your pressure on the reset button.
Can I relight the pilot light by myself?
Relight the pilot light. Turn the knob to “Pilot,” and let gas to flow to the pilot. Light a lighter or match, then push in the reset button. Hold your flame to the pilot light's opening. Keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily.
Why is my gas heater not igniting?
If your gas furnace initiates the start cycle but does not fire up, it's likely because of a faulty, damaged, or dirty ignitor/sensor. This is a very common furnace problem—you can try to clean the sensor and replace the ignitor.
What happens if pilot light goes out on gas heater?
If the pilot isn't lit anymore, then the heater won't be able to keep the water warm, and you may experience cold water when you take a shower or try to get hot water from the tap. Usually, cold water is a sign that the pilot has gone out, and many will go to check the heater to see if the pilot is no longer lit.
How do I get my pilot light back on?
How Can I Restart My Pilot Light?Step 1: Turn off your furnace. ... Step 2: Locate your gas valve. ... Step 3: Hold down the red button. ... Step 4: Light the pilot light. ... Step 5: Let go of the button. ... Step 6: Turn your gas back on. ... Step 7: Turn your furnace back on.
Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?
These important safety tips can be followed in both our workplaces and homes: If the pilot light of an appliance goes out, turn off the gas at the appliance for several minutes before attempting to re-light it. Instructions should be attached to the appliance.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas heater?
Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.
Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?
Most likely, your furnace is making a clicking noise and not providing heat because your furnace's spark igniter is trying to ignite your pilot light or burners but is failing to do so. In other words, there's an ignition system malfunction that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, your furnace won't start.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
Thermocouple – $20 to $150 The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150. This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
What causes a pilot light to go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don't hesitate to contact a professional.
Should the pilot light always be on in a gas heater?
Save Energy and Money We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace's pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money.
How much does it cost to relight a pilot light?
The Cost of Relighting the Pilot Light A plumber can help reignite the pilot light. They will charge you an hourly fee of $40 to $150. This is usually a fairly brief project, and may just take an hour.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
How to Tell If the Pilot Light Is OutLocate the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be a little door that's easily visible. ... If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame.If you don't see a flame, your pilot light is out.If there is a flame, check the color.
Does the gas company light pilot lights?
Absolutely! We can send a gas service technician to light your pilot, and conduct a gas safety check of your gas fireplace or any other gas appliance to ensure your safety. Click here get started.
Can you light a water heater manually?
Lighting the Pilot Light on a Manual Hot Water Heater Turn the pilot dial to the off position and wait 5-10 minutes for any gas to dissipate. Then, turn the pilot dial until it says the word pilot. After that, set your temperate knob to low. Now, hold the pilot dial down while you light the burner.
What to do if pilot light doesn't light?
Light the gas hole in the pilot light and now it should light. If it does not light, check to confirm whether you still have your gas supply turned on. After turning on the gas supply and still nothing works, you may need to call an appliance technician to establish if you have a bigger problem.
How to check if pilot light is off?
1. Check if the pilot light has been switched off manually. A quick diagnosis is required to establish where the problem may lie. The first thing you can check is whether the pilot light has been switched off manually, the second thing is to check and reposition the gas stove if it has been moved or if the tip of the pilot light has been blocked, ...
What is a pilot light?
A pilot light is a type of gas burner that comes on when you turn on the stove. The pilot light heats up a small metal tube in the center of the stove. The lit tube heats up and produces a flame that can then help to heat your food.
What is a pilot light on a gas stove?
Many older gas stoves will have a pilot light, which is a small gas flame that serves as an ignition source for larger and powerful gas burners and ovens.
How to check if thermostat igniter is broken?
Turn on the thermostat knob anticlockwise and push it in while you light the pilot tube with a lighter and hold it in for a few seconds until the pilot lights. If it doesn’t light up, you may need to check whether the igniter is faulty, has cracked, and needs replacing.
Why does my thermostat light yellow?
A faulty igniter will spark a yellow and orange flame instead of a blue flame. If you push the thermostat knob in for a few minutes and the pilot light fails to stay lit, you may need to check the thermocouple, which may not be working properly. They may be too far off or need replacing.
Why is my gas stove tilting?
Sometimes the gas stove may not be positioned properly or may have tilted when moving the stove, causing it to modify the gas flow. You may need to reposition your gas stove for you to have a steady gas supply.
Troubleshooting Pilot Light Problems in Gas Water Heating
If your pilot light goes out, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. Follow these steps to troubleshoot a pilot light that won’t stay lit. But you need to be very careful when working with gas. If you’re not comfortable doing this work, it’s best to call a professional.
What is a Pilot Light And How Does it Work?
A pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas emanating from the gas valve and the main burner. The pilot light is commonly seen in water heaters, fireplaces, and older or low-cost furnaces.
How to reattach gas lines?
To reattach the three lines to the gas valve, thread the nuts into place with your fingers and hand-tighten them. Snug them up with a quarter to half revolution with a wrench. Pro tip: The metals are soft, so don't overtighten. Step 6.
Why is my water heater not hot?
No hot water? If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. You’ll get your hot water going without waiting for a professional to show up and you’ll save the cost of a service call.
What happens if your water heater stops working?
If your hot water heater suddenly stops working, chances are a bad thermocouple has shut off the gas to the pilot light. Replacement is an easy DIY repair.
How long does it take to replace a thermocouple?
The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. You’ll get your hot water going without waiting for a professional to show up and you’ll save the cost of a service call. Read on to learn how to light a pilot light.
Can you smell gas when you remove gas lines?
You should not be able to smell gas during this operation (except for a slight whiff when you remove the gas lines). If you do, leave the house and call your gas utility.
Do gas water heaters have pilots?
We recommend that you call a service pro to fix this type of heater. Also, some gas water heaters don't have pilots. Let the pros fix these as well.
How to ignite a hot water heater pilot?
Some hot water heaters have a separate pilot button – if so, push that down instead. While still holding down the knob or button, use an extended lighter to reach into the access and ignite the pilot. Once the pilot lights, keep holding the knob/button down for around one minute. After that time, slowly release the knob/button and check ...
What does the pilot light do?
The pilot light is a small, continually burning flame that ignites the burner of your gas hot water heater. Simply put, if the pilot light goes out, the unit can’t warm up water. There are many reasons why a pilot light could extinguish, and it could be as simple as a temporary interruption or air bubble in the gas line.
Why does my water heater keep going out?
If the pilot refuses to ignite or if it keeps going out, it’s a sign that you may have another problem with your hot water heater. The most common problem we see is a bent, broken, or dirty thermocouple (also called a flame sensor). Remember, the average service life of a hot water heater is 12-15 years, so in some cases it might be a better investment to replace the unit than spend money repairing your old one.
What to do if your water heater isn't working?
If your water heater isn’t working so hot, give Reichelt Plumbing Inc. a call at (219) 322-4906. Our licensed plumbers will come out, take a look, and recommend the best way to get the hot water flowing in your home again. You can trust the contractors at Reichelt Plumbing to handle any residential work required in your home or at your company.
Why does my water heater shut off?
When the hot water heater is your house goes out, tasks such as showering, laundry, washing dishes, and more come to a halt. If you have a gas-powered hot water heater, one cause for the shutdown may be that the pilot light went out. In many cases, once you relight the pilot, you should be back in business. In this article, we’ll show you how easy it is to do it yourself.
What to do if you smell gas in a house?
Warning: if at any point of the process you smell gas, exit the area and call your energy provider as soon as possible.
How long to wait to turn off gas on a gas tank?
The knob should be clearly labelled. Turn it to the “Off” setting, then wait 5-10 minutes to make sure all the gas has cleared. Find the pilot light access. Typically, this will be under the gas valve.
Why won't my pilot light stay lit?
It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. When a thermocouple fails , the pilot light won't stay lighted. A burned out or broken thermocouple should be replaced. To replace a thermocouple:
What is a pilot light?
The pilot light is a small open flame that is fed by a steady flow of gas. Problems occur when the gas flow is obstructed or misdirected, or when the pilot is blown out. In newer appliances, ignition may be achieved by a sparking device ...
How to replace a thermocouple?
To replace a thermocouple: Step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas line. Step 2: Under the mounting bracket at the thermocouple tube, unscrew the bracket nut that holds the tube in place.
How high is a pilot flame?
A correctly adjusted pilot flame is steady and blue, and stands between 1/4 and 1/2 inch high . If the flame goes out repeatedly, it may be getting too little air; if it's yellow at the tip, it's getting too much air. To correct either condition, turn the pilot adjustment screw slightly, as directed by the manufacturer.
How long to wait to turn off gas valve?
Step 1: If there is a gas valve at the pilot, turn the valve to the OFF position and wait at least three minutes to let any built-up gas dissipate. After three minutes , turn the valve to the PILOT position. If there is a safety or reset button, push the button, and keep it depressed.
Do gas appliances have igniters?
Newer gas appliances have igniters that start the pilot light as needed. Caution: Some older appliances may not have a safety device to turn the gas off when the pilot is extinguished. With any gas-fired appliance, if a strong smell of gas is present, do not try to relight the pilot or turn the appliance on, or turn any lights on or off.
How to reset a pilot light?
You will need a match that is lit. Hold it to the pilot opening and push the reset button on your pilot control. Hold it down until the pilot flame is lit and burning brightly.
How to tell if pilot light is out?
If you suspect your pilot light is out, the first thing you can do is check for a flame. If after turning the knobs on your furnace you still are not getting a solid flame, this is a good signal your pilot light is out. If you smell gas or detect a rotten egg smell, you will need to have your gas shut off entirely.
Why does my gas water heater stop working?
When your gas furnace or water heater suddenly stops working as it should, this is often caused by a pilot light issue. Your pilot light is a crucial component of your heating system, so it’s important to make sure it’s functioning properly at all times!
Why is my furnace yellow?
A weak, yellow flame can be caused by dirt and debris built up within your furnace. If you see a lazy, yellow flame instead of a strong blue flame, you will need to have your furnace cleaned.
What to do if you smell gas?
If you smell gas or detect a rotten egg smell, you will need to have your gas shut off entirely. Many gas furnaces will have a safety shut-off valve, but if this is not available or you can’t find the valve, leave your home and call 911 (or your gas company directly) immediately.
What is the phone number for heating in the Triangle?
If you’re in need of heating service in the Triangle area, give us a call at 919-480-2727 or contact us online to schedule your service today!
How To Clean Pilot Light On Water Heater?from fireplacehubs.com
To clean the pilot line, you need to have a screwdriver, a small wire brush, and a thin wire. Follow these steps to the clean pilot line in your water heater:
What is a pilot light on a propane water heater?from ehow.com
The pilot is a small flame that burns continuously and is positioned strategically to light the main burner when the gas valve is switched on. When the pilot light goes out, the burner won't function.
Why Is The Pilot Signal Weak?from fireplacehubs.com
Several reasons can be behind why you have a lazy pilot flame. Let’s take a look at them:
How To Replace The Thermocouple In a Water Heater?from fireplacehubs.com
With a minimum understanding of gas, electricity, and electrical appliance repair, you can do it on your own. All you have to do is follow our step-by-step guide to replacing the thermocouple given below.
How To Adjust Gas Pressure In a Water Heater?from fireplacehubs.com
Low gas pressure can cause your pilot light to be weak. A water heater has two gas pressure ratings. One is for the line pressure. To fix this one, you’ll need to talk to your gas utility company. They’ll adjust the incoming gas pressure that they’re currently providing you.
How To Replace Pilot Assembly?from fireplacehubs.com
A defective pilot assembly is a possible reason why your water heater isn’t functioning properly. Learn how to remove it yourself with our easy guide. To replace your defective pilot, you’ll need:
Is vacation the lowest setting on a water heater?from fireplacehubs.com
Yes. It is an energy-efficient mode that is also hot enough to prevent frozen plumbing.
What to do if your water heater pilot light is out?
Forget about suffering through a freezing shower! If your water heater ’s pilot light is out, check for relighting instructions fastened to the appliance. If your water heater doesn’t have directions, this basic method works for most models.
Where is the pilot light on a stove?
Depending on your brand and model of oven, the pilot light might be in a front corner of the oven, in a back corner of the oven, in the center near the door, or even inside the broiler towards the very back. You’ll see a small hole with a tiny valve inside it, often labeled “Pilot Light.” Consult your manufacturer if you don’t readily see it.
How to check if oven is running?
STEP 1: Ensure the entire appliance is off. Check that all burners are set to “Off,” and the oven is not running. STEP 2: Look for the oven’s pilot light. Unlike the stovetop, it can be tricky to find the oven’s pilot light, and you might need to get a little bit acrobatic in order to spot—and eventually reach—it.
How to check if a water heater is old style?
If your water heater is old-style, push down on the regulator valve, and then apply your match or lighter to the tip of the pilot’s valve. Do not release the regulator valve for a minute or so after you see the pilot light ignite. This gives the thermocouple time to kick in and sense that the pilot light is on.
Why does my pilot light go out?
The pilot light is a small gas light meant to burn continuously in order to light a larger burner when needed, but it may go out if a draft extinguishes the light, its valve is dirty, or the thermocouple ( the safety device that shuts off gas to the appliance when it detects no pilot light) is faulty.
What temperature should a water heater be set at?
For safety, your water heater should never be set above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for a gas regulator to clear from a water heater?
You’ll find a small gas regulator valve near the bottom of the water heater. Turn the valve to the “Off” position, and then wait for five minutes to allow any residual gas to clear from the pipe.
