How To Relight Your Gas Hot Water System Pilot Light: A DIY Guide

We’ve all been there – standing in our birthday suit, expecting a comforting stream of steaming hot water, only to be greeted by an unexpected case of the goosebumps. A common culprit behind this frustrating scenario is a hot water pilot light that has gone out.

It’s often just a minor issue and an easy fix, but it can feel like a big hassle, especially if you’re not familiar with how to deal with it. But don’t worry! We’re here to help guide you through the process of safely relighting the pilot light hot water system in your home. Just remember to put some clothes on first!

What is a pilot light and why might it go out?

But before diving into our easy step-by-step guide, it’s essential to understand what a pilot light hot water system is – and why it might have gone out in the first place.

Quite simply, a pilot light is a small flame that remains constantly lit inside your gas hot water pilot light system. It doesn’t use much gas at all, and is there to instantly ignite the burner whenever the system requires heating. Why has yours gone out? It could be because of:

• A draft, breeze or gust of wind
• Simple wear and tear
• A gas supply problem
• Safety thermocouple shut-off device issues.

But if all that went wrong is that a gust of wind blew it out, or your system was temporarily deprived of gas, it’s not too difficult to learn how to re-light a gas pilot light.

Can you relight a gas hot water system pilot light yourself?

As long as you follow basic safety protocols and the manufacturer’s instructions, it’s almost always ok for Aussie homeowners to re-light pilot light gas water themselves. But remember, before proceeding: If you’re not feeling confident, or any of the steps don’t make sense to you, don’t mess with gas and instead call in the friendly professionals.

Also consider these safety concerns:

• Ensure the area around the hot water system is well ventilated
• If you smell gas, do not attempt to relight the pilot light
• Always refer to your system’s manual if in doubt.

Step-by-step guide to relighting your gas hot water system pilot light

Just want to safely relight your pilot light hot water system … right now? Here’s how to relight gas water heater units, and all it will take is a few easy minutes:

1. Locate the pilot light assembly

Find the access panel on your gas hot water system pilot light. This is usually at the bottom of the unit. Open the panel to reveal the pilot light assembly, which includes the gas valve, thermocouple, and pilot tube.

2. Turn off the gas

Before doing anything else, turn the gas control valve to the ‘OFF’ position. Wait a few minutes to ensure all the residual gas has dissipated. Warning: This step is crucial to avoid the risk of a gas explosion.

3. Switch to ‘Pilot’ setting

Turn the gas control valve to the ‘PILOT’ setting. This setting allows gas to flow to the pilot light but not the main burner.

4. Press and hold the control knob

Only when you press and hold the control knob will gas actually flow to the pilot light.

5. Press the ignition button

While holding the control knob in, click the ignition button – and the pilot light should light – a small blue flame. You may need to click it more than once for this to happen. Don’t let go of the control knob for at least 30 seconds or so.

6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 if required

If the pilot light didn’t stay on once you let go, repeat steps 4 and 5. Try holding on to that control knob for more than 30 seconds on the second try, as the thermocouple may need longer to heat up.

7. Turn the gas control valve to ‘On’

Once your pilot light is successfully relit and remains stable, turn the gas control valve to the ‘ON’ position. Your gas hot water system should now operate normally!

8. Close the access panel

Close the access panel to protect the pilot light from drafts and debris – and go and get your birthday suit back on!

Pilot light gas hot water – Need extra help?

How did you go? Relighting a gas hot water pilot light might seem daunting and even dangerous at first, but with the right knowledge, safety precautions and a little bit of know-how, it’s very much a manageable DIY task for most homeowners.

However, if you’re not confident, or the easy 8-step process didn’t work, the friendly specialists right here at S&J Hot Water Brisbane are always ready to help with all your hot water plumbing and gasfitting needs. From hot water repairs to maintenance to full system replacements and installations from scratch, don’t ever hesitate to reach out – because we’re just around the corner!