How do I know if the pilot light is lit?

If your pilot light is on, it should be easy to see – your eyes will be drawn to the little flame. If you don’t see a flame, your pilot light is out. If there is a flame, check the color. Pilot lights should always be blue.

Can you hear a pilot light?

As long as it is burning, the main gas is allowed to flow when you turn it on. If it isn’t burning, then it won’t. If it’s off, turn it to pilot and hold it down (this causes gas to flow). When holding it down, you should be able to hear gas flow (it’ll be very faint noise).

What to do if you have the wrong pilot light?

If you have the wrong pilot burner replace it with the correct one. Important: Before troubleshooting the pilot light, keep in mind that a pilot flame is always ON and the flame should be blue. If it is yellow, it needs an adjustment. Make sure that the tank is completely filled with water before lighting the pilot light.

How to troubleshoot pilot light in gas water heater?

When troubleshooting lighting problems, it is recommended to test it first. Turn the gas OFF to the water heater and press the piezo igniter. Once pressed, the electrode should release the spark. Check if the wire connection is tightened correctly. Make sure the electrode is not broken, and replace it if it is.

What does it mean when your pilot light is yellow?

A typical and healthy pilot should burn with a bright blue luminosity, not a yellow or red. A yellow flame means that there is no sufficient airflow, that the gas combustion is not complete, or the pilot tube is dirty. A flickering or wavering flame is an indication of the draft.

Why do you need a pilot light in a gas fireplace?

This continuous flame is necessary to light large burners such as those found in gas fireplaces. When the fireplace or propane heater is turned on, the pilot light serves as an ignition source for the larger sweep of gas released from the burner. It also provides the energy necessary to open and close certain gas valves during startup.

How do you relight a pilot light on a water heater?

Relight the pilot light. Turn the control valve to “on”. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. Note: When relit, the water heater pilot light flame should wrap around the thermocouple bulb.

How long does it take for a pilot light to ignite?

You should hear a faint hissing sound which is the gas flowing to the pilot light. With a lighter the pilot should light fairly quickly. If you have a spark button press it repeatedly until the pilot light ignites. Sometimes it may take a few seconds to a minute for the pilot light to ignite.

What should I do if I smell gas from my pilot light?

If this happens be sure to stop and get help if you smell gas. When the pilot light ignites you will need to continue to hold the button down on the valve to keep gas flowing until the thermocouple (a small rod that the flame hits) gets hot enough to tell the gas valve to keep gas flowing to the pilot light.