Why Won't My Water Heater Ignite After the Gas Shut Off?
Asked by UserX2398
I recently had my HVAC and furnace replaced, which required shutting off the gas. After the work, the crew relit the water heater, and it was functioning fine for a few days. However, I noticed that I don't have hot water anymore, and there's no flame visible in the pilot window. I've checked that the gas valve is on and have followed the ignition instructions provided on the sticker. I set the temperature to low (pilot light setting), turned it off for 5 minutes to ensure there was no gas smell, then switched it back to pilot and rapidly pressed the ignition button five times, but still nothing. Can anyone suggest what might be wrong and how I can fix it? It worked perfectly before the gas was turned off. Thanks!
Answers
Before you get too worried, have you checked if the pilot light is actually visible from where you're looking? Sometimes the flame is there but hard to see from different angles. When I first tried to light my water heater, I thought it wasn't working until I got down to see it better.
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It sounds like you might have a faulty igniter. If you recently had work done, you should check if you're still under warranty with the installation company. Even if they didn't install the water heater itself, they could help you troubleshoot.
UserX2398: Ah, they only turned off the gas for the furnace installation. They managed to light it again afterward, but I guess something might have gone wrong in the days following.
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If it still doesn't ignite after trying those steps, it could be a more complex issue like a blocked gas line or a problem with the thermocouple. You might want to call in a professional to take a look at it.
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Double-check that the gas valves are fully open. It's easy for them to get bumped during installation. If other appliances are working fine, this might not be the issue, but it's a good step to confirm everything's aligned.
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UserX2398: Good point! I'll check from a lower angle next time. I was expecting a big flame or sound when it ignites!