Gas-fired and oil-fired water heaters have a pilot light that burns continuously and automatically lights the burner when hot water is in demand. In some instances, an air bubble at the gas line may create the pilot lighting to lose fuel and move out. With heaters in outdoor enclosures, strong winds may blow out the pilot light. Reigniting a water heater isn’t difficult using the right type of ignition source. Anytime you smell gas or heating oil, then turn off the supply valve that services the flexible line to the heater and then call a plumber.
Turn the control knob on the heater to the “Off” position. Wait five minutes to clean residual gas or oil from the controller box.
Remove the white cover at the lower portion of the cylinder below the control knob by hand. Lift out the metallic burner cover to get the pilot lighting tube. Look inside the burner compartment and then locate the pilot tube. Normally, a pilot tube is 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch diameter and contains an oblong or oblong tip.
Turn the control knob to “Pilot.” Depress and hold the red button next to the controller knob.
Light a long fireplace match or butane pistol. Hold the fire below the tip of the pilot tube to lighting the pilot. Continue to hold down the red button for a single minute to heat the end of the thermocouple tube that regulates the ignition system.
Release the red button and then observe the pilot light fire. If the fire goes out, the button wasn’t held long enough. Repeat the steps and then hold the button down for 90 seconds to lighting the pilot light. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Reinstall the burner cover and outer cover at the bottom of the tank. Turn the control knob to a medium heat setting to light the burner. Adjust the atmosphere to the desired temperature.