How to Safely Light the Pilot Light on Your Water Heater

Losing hot water always seems to happen at the wrong time. A cold shower in the morning or a sink full of dishes with no heat usually sends people straight to the water heater to see what went wrong. In a lot of Columbia homes, the answer is simple. The pilot light went out. It is a small flame, easy to overlook, but without it, the water heater cannot warm anything.

Relighting the pilot is possible for some homeowners, but gas appliances deserve patience and caution. If something looks or smells unusual, stop and let a professional handle it. Your safety matters more than rushing through a fix.

Families around Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, Blythewood, and Chapin rely on steady hot water every day. This guide explains why the flame may have gone out, how to check your pilot safely, and the steps for relighting it if everything looks normal. The goal is to help you understand the system without taking risks.

Why the Pilot Light on Your Water Heater Goes Out

It does not take much for a pilot flame to go out. A quick draft can do it. A little dust around the burner can interrupt the flame. A thermocouple may weaken with age and stop registering the heat properly. Even a brief dip in gas pressure can be enough to shut the flame down.

These things are common. In older homes around The Midlands, heaters often sit in garages, basements, or utility closets where airflow changes or dust settles. Sometimes the heater gives you a hint before the flame goes out. You might hear the burner struggling or see the status light blink a little differently. Other times, it stops without warning.

A single outage is usually not serious. Repeated outages are worth a closer look from a professional.

Signs the Pilot Light Needs to Be Relit

Most homeowners know something is wrong the moment the water runs cold. But the heater gives other signs too, including:

• No flame visible through the viewing window
• A quiet unit that used to hum softly
• A status indicator that has gone dark
• The burner clicking but never fully igniting
• A tank that feels cold even after waiting awhile

If you smell gas at any point, turn everything off, leave the area, and call for help. That is not something to troubleshoot on your own.

How to Relight a Gas Water Heater Pilot Light

Every model is a little different, so nothing beats the instructions printed on your specific water heater. Still, most gas heaters follow a general pattern. Move slowly, pay attention to what you see and smell, and never force anything.

Step 1: Turn Off the Gas

Find the control knob and turn it to Off. This pauses the system and prevents gas from flowing while you prepare. Give it a few minutes. It is a simple step, but an important one.

Step 2: Locate the Pilot Light and Reset Knob

Look for the access panel near the base of the heater. Behind it, you will find the pilot assembly, a small tube, and the spot where the flame should be. The control valve nearby usually has a Pilot or Reset setting. A flashlight helps a lot here, especially in tight or dim utility spaces.

Step 3: Relight and Hold

Turn the knob to Pilot. Press and hold the Pilot or Reset button. While holding it, use the igniter button to spark the flame. If your unit does not have one, a long lighter works. Keep steady pressure on that button for about half a minute so the thermocouple can warm up enough to keep the flame lit.

Step 4: Check for Steady Flame

Let go of the button slowly. The pilot should stay lit. A good flame is steady and blue. Once you see that, turn the knob to On. The main burner should ignite shortly after. That is the heater telling you it is working again.

If the flame dies out the moment you release the button, the issue is not the lighting process. Something inside the heater needs attention.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

There is a line between a simple pilot outage and a real repair need. If you are not comfortable relighting the flame, call a plumber. If the flame refuses to stay lit, call a plumber. If you smell gas, see soot, hear hissing, or feel unsure at any point, stop and get help.

Columbia, SC Homeowners reach out when they notice:

• A pilot light that goes out several times
• A thermocouple that looks loose or damaged
• Burner areas coated in soot or debris
• A gas control valve that feels warm or inconsistent
• Older water heaters showing rust or wear

Cassell Brothers works on gas water heaters every day. Our plumbers know what to look for and how to handle gas safety and maintenance the right way. A quick inspection can save time, prevent hazards, and get your hot water back without guesswork.

Schedule Water Heater Service in Columbia, SC

If your pilot light will not stay lit, your water heater won’t heat, or something about the system does not seem right, our team can help. Cassell Brothers provides water heater installation, water heater replacement, and water heater maintenance throughout Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Blythewood, and other communities in The Midlands. We also offer full plumbing services and professional water heater repair.

When it comes to gas appliances, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Call On Cassell for Comfort, the name you can trust in The Midlands.