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It is frustrating to go into your bathroom at night or at dawn and find the water running cold, especially during cold seasons. If this happens, it's essential to understand that there are different reasons for your gas hot water system failing to heat water.
One of the primary reasons might be that the system's pilot light has gone out. The cold water issue could also result from problems with your system's gas supply, gas valve, or thermocouple. So, what should you do when you urgently need hot water in the morning?
Instead of having cold showers or calling a plumber, you could try to reignite your gas hot water system. This is a simple process that you could comfortably undertake without the help of your plumber. This article offers a comprehensive guide on reigniting your gas water heater.
What Makes A Pilot Light Go Out?
Most modern gas hot water heaters feature an electronic ignition. However, if you have a conventional gas heater, chances are high that it features a standing-alone pilot flame that ignites your heating system. The central role of the pilot light is to work as a small ignition flame for your burner. As mentioned above, one major reason your gas water heater might fail is the pilot light going out. Here are some of the reasons that cause this problem.
The condition and age of your gas system
If your gas hot water system has a stand-alone pilot light, then it's probably more than ten years old. An old gas system might have several components or parts worn out, dirty or inefficient. If some of these parts fail, they could lead to your system's pilot light going out.
A cracked heat exchanger
An old gas hot water system will likely have a cracked heat exchanger, which could make the pilot light go out. A crack in the exchanger affects the air pressure and the vent inside the combustion chamber. This impacts the flame inside. Depending on the crack's location, air could get blown inside the exchanger and onto the flame, causing it to go out.
Gas supply and valve problems
Your gas hot water system pilot light stays lit when it has a reliable propane or natural gas source. Any problem with the gas valve supplying gas to the flame could result in the flame going out. The flame could also go out if your gas supply runs low.
Thermocouple dysfunction
A thermocouple is a safety device that determines whether your pilot light is lit. A malfunctioning or dirty thermocouple shuts off your gas supply resulting in the pilot light going out and your system stopping working.
Wrong venting and airflow
Your pilot lighting could also go out if air or wind blows it out. In this case, there could be a problem with how your flue pipe is set and how your gas hot water system is venting.
Steps To Reignite Your Gas Hot Water System
With an electric hot water system, you don't need to reignite it because there is no pilot or gas light in the appliance. You don't have to reignite your gas hot water system if you have a newer model featuring an automatic pilot light. However, if your system fails to ignite automatically, you should reignite it.
Here are the steps to follow when reigniting your gas hot water system.
Before you start
It's easy to check if the pilot light is working or not. However, like any other home repair work, you should take extreme care when attempting to reignite your gas hot water system. Note that you shouldn't try to reignite a gas water heater if there is a gas smell.
This is critical because the presence of the smell is a clear indication there is a gas leak. In this regard, you should call an emergency plumber immediately to solve the gas leak issue.
You should also ensure that there are no ignition or flame sources near your appliance. Additionally, be sure to wear safety glasses and follow the instructions in your gas water heater user guide. You also require a lighter and a flashlight if your unit is in a poorly lit area.
Step One: Read the instructions
The first step is to carefully read and understand the user manual's instructions on reigniting the pilot light.
Tip: If you have misplaced your gas water heater's user manual, look for a label that provides model-specific instructions for igniting the pilot outside your system's hot water tank.
Step Two: Open the pilot light's access cover
To access the pilot light, open the cover or door that protects the pilot light. To do this, you must first locate it underneath the gas valve. Some gas water heater models have an open gap where you will find the pilot light burning.
If your gas hot water system doesn't have an open gap, then it features a sealed burner assembly. In this case, don't try removing the access cover. A sealed burner assembly ensures no flammable vapour ignition outside your system. Instead, use a headlamp or flashlight to help you locate the burner. You will see two small gas tubes connecting to the burner.
Step Three: Turn the gas knob
Now gently rotate the gas knob to the pilot setting and firmly hold it down. This helps initiate gas flow that allows you to light the flame. In the same vein, if your home or business has a gas hot water system with a separate button for the pilot mode, press it and then hold it down.
Step Four: Light the pilot flame
You can now ignite the pilot flame as you hold the button down or the gas knob. Depending on your gas water heater model, you might have a black or red igniting button or have to light it manually using a long lighter.
Once the flame ignites, hold the button or knob down for at least a minute before releasing it slowly to ensure that the pilot light remains lit. If it fails to ignite, you might have to turn the gas knob to the "OFF" position and repeat the above mentioned steps. While repeating the steps, try holding the knob down for at least ninety seconds.
Step Five: Turn on the regulator valve and adjust the temperature
If the flame remains lit, turn the regulator valve knob to the "ON" position and listen for a whooshing noise emanating from the system's burner as it ignites. To achieve the desired temperature, adjust the setting accordingly.
Step Six: Replace the cover and adjust the temperature
Once the flame is ignited, replace the cover or door to the pilot light access.
What To Do If The Pilot Light Continuously Goes Out?
Even after reignition, the pilot flame might refuse to ignite or keep going out. This might point to another issue with your gas hot water system. A broken, bent, or dirty flame sensor might be the most common issue. It's worth noting that the average lifespan of a gas hot water system is twelve to fifteen years.
Consequently, if your system is almost that old or older, it's advisable to replace it instead of having to keep repairing it. This is because undertaking constant repairs might be costlier in the long run.
Here are some things you could do if your pilot light goes out after reignition.
Clean the pilot orifice
If you reignite your gas hot water and it flickers then goes out, you should clean the pilot orifice. A dirty orifice restricts gas flow, but it's an easy issue to fix. To clean it, start by completely shutting off the gas supply to the heater. Then, remove the pilot orifice fitting located underneath the access cover. To do this, twist it to the left and then unscrew the orifice from the fitting.
Once you successfully disassemble the fitting, use a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol to gently clean all its surfaces. Finally, proceed to reassemble and reattach the fitting, then relight your gas water heater following the steps before.
Replace the thermocouple
If you ignite your system's pilot light, but it goes out immediately after releasing the control knob, you should consider replacing the thermocouple. This safety gadget automatically shuts off gas flow to the heater when it senses the pilot light is out. Unfortunately, when it gets damaged, it can no longer do the regulation task.
It is more complex to repair a damaged thermocouple, making replacement a great option since it is more straightforward. After replacing the thermocouple, you should slide the burner assembly back into place, reattach all the tubes and then relight the pilot light. You could call a professional to do the replacement if you do not trust your DIY skills.
Use Experts To Reignite A Gas Hot Water System
If you follow the above steps, you could effectively reignite your gas hot water system and have it operating optimally. However, if you are still unsure whether you could do it successfully or are unaware of how your gas water heater model works, it's advisable to hire an expert plumber near you to help you.
Experts are reliable as they know how a gas hot water system works, so they could help reignite it more effectively. Additionally, they can help detect the actual cause of the issue and offer a long-lasting solution while also undertaking maintenance.
