Last Updated: April 21, 2020 When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. Allow the water heater to sit for a minimum of one hour without using it, and then turn on the faucet closest to the water heater. Then release it slowly, and make sure the light is still lit. The smell of gas near the water heater. A conventional storage tank water heater has a life of about 10-15 years, so if your unit is in that age range, it may be worth footing the cost to replace a water heater it rather than constantly fixing problems as they arise with age. If your water heater seems to have more problems than you can handle, or if you’re ready for a more efficient model, you can contact your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing to restore hot water to your household. Vacuum out the burner ports, and clean the tip of the thermocouple with a microfiber cloth and steel wool. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 371,392 times. Hold this button down. Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. Hot water is only part of a luxurious shower experience. If your hot water heater is no longer providing hot water and the tank is electric-powered, check the fuse at the breaker and make sure it hasn’t flipped. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. This Westinghouse Gas Water Heater holds up to 50,60 or 70 gallons of water (depending on what you need), gifting a household of five or more with dependable, hot water. This device is central to the operation and can tell if the pilot light is on or off by an electrical current that is powered by the pilot… If you smell gas in either of these places (even a faint smell), do not attempt to relight the pilot. Happy to say the pilot light is re-lit and everything seems to be A-OK! Don’t worry: in most cases, you can relight a pilot without calling in a professional, and you’ll have hot water again in a few hours’ time. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. How to Replace a Water Heater Thermostat Replacing a thermostat on a water heater is something most people can do even if you are not mechanically inclined. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Turn the knob to “Off,” and then wait five minutes for the gas to clear before you follow these steps: Though a one-off extinguished pilot light is usually caused by a natural change in gas pressure, repeated malfunctions indicate a real problem with the water heater. This is also something easily done yourself. All Mr. Rooter Plumbing Franchise Locations Are Independently Owned And Operated. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Leaking gas smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. An extremely limited duration of hot water. Look up your model and contact the manufacturer for specific instructions. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Because you will be using one hand to depress the valve/red button and one hand to light the pilot, you may need someone to hold a flashlight for you if extra light is needed. The exact look of the buttons on new style tanks may vary, but many have a red igniter button set a few inches away from the temperature and regulator valves. If the pilot light doesn’t relight or goes out immediately after relighting, you may have a bad thermocouple. Doing so could cause a flame to come out of the water heater. Do not turn the gas valve back on until you have replaced the access panels. Turn Off the Cold Water Supply to Hot Water Heater. How long do I hold the pilot button down before I push the small red ignitor button under it? custom glass shower door from Glass Doctor. If you live in a home with a gas water heater and notice cold water coming from your hot water faucet, there’s a good chance your pilot light has gone out. Unit is small and lightweight for an easy fit in your RV's cabinet. Since the unit only heats water as you use it, a tankless heater is usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater because it doesn't have to keep unused water hot. Heater Isn ’ t Producing hot water heater agreeing to receive emails according to our try them again but. Head away from the burner inside look for a hissing sound near the pilot into. 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