How to Relight a Water Heater Pilot Light: The Ultimate Guide

Is your water heater not working properly? If you have no hot water, I feel your pain. As a home improvement expert who has dealt with my fair share of pilot light problems, I want to help you get this fixed fast.

A water heater pilot that won‘t stay lit can be so frustrating! But have no fear – this guide will walk you through relighting that stubborn pilot light step-by-step.

I‘ll explain exactly how to locate the pilot assembly, what materials are needed, troubleshooting tips, when to call a pro, and so much more. With the right info, you can have your hot water flowing again in no time.

Warning Signs Your Pilot Light Has Gone Out

Before we jump into relighting, let‘s cover the signs that indicate your pilot light has gone out:

• No hot water from faucets despite water heater being on
• A faint natural gas smell coming from water heater location
• Pilot light assembly appears dark instead of bright blue flame
• No humming or sounds from water heater when burner tries to ignite
• Water heater makes no attempt to ignite after power outage

If you notice any of these indicators, there‘s a good chance your pilot light needs reigniting. Pilots often go out if severe winds or drafts blow it out, or from buildup of sediment and dirt.

As a home improvement expert, I always recommend taking safety precautions any time the pilot light is out, as gas buildup can occur.

Before You Begin: Safety Tips

Working with gas appliances comes with risks, so follow these precautions:

• Turn off the gas supply valve before relighting to avoid gas buildup.
• Keep ignition sources like matches away until ready to relight.
• Ensure adequate ventilation by opening windows.
• Check for gas leaks with soapy water after relighting.
• Consider installing CO and gas detectors for extra precaution.

And of course, exercise common sense and care when dealing with gas and flames. Your safety should always come first!

Locating the Pilot Light Assembly

The first step is finding where the pilot light assembly is located on your particular water heater model.

Gas water heaters: The pilot assembly is attached to the gas burner underneath the tank. You‘ll need to remove an outer panel or access door to get to it.

Electric water heaters: These heat the water directly rather than with a gas burner, so they utilize an igniter instead of a pilot. Make sure the power is on and the breaker hasn‘t tripped.

For a gas heater, removing the outer cover panel will expose the pilot. It‘s a small tube that leads to the gas burner.

Before relighting, inspect the pilot and surrounding area. Make sure it‘s clear of any dust, debris or spider webs that could prevent gas flow or cause ignition issues.

Gather the Right Materials

Relighting a pilot light requires just a few materials:

• Matches or long-neck lighter to ignite pilot
• Flashlight to illuminate pilot assembly
• Duster or compressed air to clear debris if needed
• Adjustable wrench to disconnect/reconnect gas line
• Manufacturer‘s instructions specific to your model

I also recommend having a multi-tool, gloves, rags, and goggles on hand. Safety first!

For tricky pilots, I suggest using a specialty long-reach lighter designed for lighting pilots easily. The $10 investment can pay off in saved frustration:

Amazon‘s #1 Best Selling Utility Lighter: Adjustable up to 20", piezo ignition, $8.97

Step-by-Step Guide to Relight the Pilot

Alright, time to walk through the complete process of safely relighting your water heater pilot:

1. Turn Off Gas Supply to Water Heater

Start by locating the shut-off valve for the gas supply line leading to the water heater. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve clockwise to the off position. This closes the gas supply and allows any built-up gas to dissipate.

2. Remove Outer Access Panel

Use a screwdriver to take off the removable access panel or door covering the base of the water heater tank. This exposes the pilot assembly and gas control valve underneath.

3. Locate Pilot Assembly & Depress Valve

Look for the pilot assembly which includes the pilot tube, thermocouple, and pilot gas valve. Press down the valve for about 5 seconds to bleed out any trapped gas in the line so it‘s fully purged.

4. Ignite Pilot While Pressing Reset Button

Here comes the most important and sometimes tricky part – lighting the pilot:

With one hand, push in and hold down the red reset button on the gas valve control. This button may need to be held 90+ seconds once lit.

While holding reset button, use your long fireplace lighter or match to ignite the pilot flame by holding it near the pilot tube opening.

Keep the reset button pressed down until the pilot remains lit on its own when you release your finger – this means the thermocouple has heated up sufficiently to hold the gas valve open.

5. Replace Outer Access Panel

Once the pilot flame remains lit, replace any panels or covers you removed to access the pilot assembly area. Screw them back in securely.

6. Reopen Gas Supply Valve

Go back to the shut-off valve on the gas supply line and turn it counter-clockwise to reopen gas flow to the water heater.

Make sure you smell for any potential gas leaks! If you detect a leak, shut gas off immediately and call a professional. Safety first.

7. Ignite Burner

With the pilot lit and gas supply restored, turn on the water heater either via the gas control knob or power switch, depending on your model.

The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame. My tip is to let the tank fully heat up and cycle once before use so you know it‘s working properly.

Check your hot water by running a faucet. If the pilot stays lit and burner ignites, hot water should flow steadily, confirming your relight was successful!

In-Depth Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes the pilot won‘t cooperate as easily as we‘d like. Here are some troubleshooting tips if you‘re having issues:

Pilot Won‘t Light At All

• No gas flow: Ensure shutoff valves are open. Listen for hissing at pilot when depressed. If none, supply issue exists.
• Clogged pilot: Clean small pilot orifice hole of any debris/dirt preventing gas flow.
• Draftiness: Gusts of wind or drafts can blow out match before lit. Block any drafts.
• Weak lighter: Use a specialty extended utility lighter able to reach deep pilot.

Pilot Lights But Won‘t Stay Lit

• Dirty thermocouple: Clean with emory cloth to remove soot stopping electrical signal.
• Thermocouple defect: Replace if cleaning doesn‘t resolve. Low cost part needing professional install.
• Small flame: Weak flame won‘t properly heat thermocouple. Must engulf tip 1/4 inch.
• Reset time: Hold reset button 60-90 seconds minimum to fully heat thermocouple before release.
• Gas pressure: Have a technician verify proper gas line pressure to the pilot.

Following this troubleshooting guide resolves most pilot issues. But if problems persist, calling a pro may be needed.

When Should I Call A Professional?

While minor pilot light problems can often be fixed DIY, there are times to call a pro:

• Strong natural gas smell coming from appliance
• Evidence of a gas leak anywhere
• Pilot issues continue after troubleshooting
• Lack of experience/uncertainty with any steps

A qualified technician has specialized tools and testing abilities to fully diagnose stubborn pilot problems. They can check for dangerous gas leaks and ensure proper pressure.

I understand hiring a contractor costs more upfront. But it can provide peace of mind knowing it‘s fixed safely by an expert. Get estimates from multiple licensed pros before any complex repair.

What Does Relighting a Pilot Light Cost?

If you can relight your pilot yourself, any costs should be minimal – just the ignition gas and materials used. But if hiring a plumber, costs rise:

Service Call/Diagnostic Fee | $50 – $100+
Pilot Relight Service | $75 – $150
Thermocouple Replacement | $125 – $250
Other Repairs | Varies
Hourly Rate | $50 – $100

Keep in mind pricing depends on your location, repair complexity, and contractor. Get quotes from several to prevent overpaying. In my experience, expect at least $100+ for a basic pilot relight house call.

Preventative Maintenance Is Key

The best way to avoid annoying pilot outages is preventative maintenance. I recommend having a qualified technician perform an annual tune-up service on your water heater.

They will thoroughly inspect components like the thermocouple, check gas pressures, clean burners/pilots of sediment, and ensure the unit is in good working order. This can prevent many pilot issues down the road.

Answers to Common Pilot Light Questions

Here are some quick answers to frequent questions I get about relighting pilots:

How often should I relight my pilot?

You shouldn‘t have to relight often if no issues exist. Annual pro maintenance can prevent problems.

Is it safe to relight my pilot myself?

Yes, with proper safety steps – turning off gas, having a lighting source ready, adequate ventilation, going slow, etc.

What if my pilot has electric ignition?

Ensure power is on. Press igniter button several times, allowing 30 seconds between attempts. May need replacement.

Why does my new pilot keep going out?

Strong drafts or improper gas line pressure could be blowing it out. Have a technician inspect if it continues.

Should I call the gas company for help?

No, they won‘t relight it for you. Contact qualified local HVAC companies to find a licensed technician.

Let‘s Recap

Dealing with pilot light issues can be so frustrating. But a bit of knowledge on the relighting process can save you money and get your hot water flowing again quickly.

We covered the warning signs of a pilot being out, safety tips, where the pilot is located, materials needed, a full step-by-step relight guide, troubleshooting, when to call a pro, typical costs, maintenance advice, and common questions.

I hope you found this guide helpful and detailed in relighting your water heater pilot. Never hesitate to contact a qualified technician if you have any concerns or uncertainties during the process.

Wishing you many hot showers ahead! This home improvement expert is always happy to help with any appliance issues in your homes.