How to Light a Water Heater Pilot Light

If your hot water heater is not working, you should first check to make sure that the pilot light is still lit. In order to do that, locate the burner access panel for your gas water heater and remove it. If it is not lit, you should try to relight it.

To do that, lower the temperature control dial to the lowest setting and then turn knob that controls the gas into the off position. Wait at least five minutes to allow any gas within the system to disperse. You should leave the room and coming back so you are not desensitized to the gas smell and do not proceed until you cannot smell any gas. If this takes longer than 10 minutes, contact our office, as you may have a leak.

If the gas smell does dissipate, you can light the water heater pilot light yourself. For the next step, you should press down the reset button with a lighted match or lighter in the other hand near the pilot light and this should light the pilot light. If you don't have a reset button, you may have to push down on the control knob for the gas to light the pilot light. In this case, hold the control knob down for a few seconds after you light the pilot light and then release it. Check back in 10 min to be sure that the pilot light stays lit. If it doesn't light the first time, you can make one other attempt to light the water heater pilot light yourself and if it doesn't stay lit please contact us. You should make sure to reset the temperature by making sure the gas control knob is on and the temperature dial is set to your preference. Around 120 degrees is standard, but some people save money by setting the temperature lower on the water heater. If you have children, be sure to keep the temperature low for safety's sake.