Relight a water heater pilot the safe way
Quick answer
If you smell gas, stop, leave the house, and call the gas utility from outside. With no gas smell, follow the lighting steps printed on your tank: set the control to Pilot, wait five minutes, light it, and hold the knob 30 seconds before turning it to On.
Cold shower on a Tuesday? Before you call anyone, check the pilot, carefully, and by the book.
This guide is general information and is awaiting technical review by Pando Plumbing. Always follow your fixture manufacturer's instructions.
Tools
- Flashlight
- Long lighter (older units only)
Before you start
- Gas safety first: smell around the tank. Any gas odor means leave the house and call the gas utility from outside. Do not relight.
- Find and read the lighting instructions printed on the tank's own label.
- Use a long lighter only if your unit has no built-in igniter.
Steps
- 1
Smell before you touch anything
If you smell gas at all, stop. Leave the house, then call the gas utility from outside. No exceptions, no debate, no relighting.
- 2
Read the tank's own instructions
Every water heater has a printed sequence on the side. Follow that one, not a video for a different model.
- 3
Set the gas control to Pilot
Turn the knob to Pilot and wait five full minutes for any lingering gas to clear before you attempt ignition.
- 4
Ignite and hold
Press and hold the control while clicking the igniter. Keep holding 30 seconds after the flame catches so the thermocouple heats and holds the valve open.
- 5
Return to On and confirm the burner
Turn the knob back to On and set the thermostat to 120 degrees. Listen for the main burner and check for hot water in about 30 minutes.
Common mistakes
- Trying to relight when you smell gas.
- Following a video for a different model instead of the tank's label.
- Skipping the five-minute wait for lingering gas to clear.
- Letting go of the control before the full 30 seconds.
Final check
Turn the knob to On, set the thermostat to 120 degrees, listen for the burner, and check for hot water in about 30 minutes. If the pilot will not stay lit, the water is rusty, the tank pops, or you smell gas at any point, stop and call Pando.
Plumber's tip
Flush a few gallons from the drain valve twice a year. Utah's hard water lays down sediment that steals capacity and shortens tank life.
Stop and call Pando if...
The pilot will not stay lit, you see rust-colored water, you hear popping from the tank, or there is any gas odor.