How do you light a water heater for the first time?

Turn the water heat dial to Low and the On/Off/Pilot dial to Pilot. Then, turn the On/Off/Pilot dial downwards and push the igniter button at the same time. Let go of the igniter button, but keep pressing the Pilot dial downward for around 30 seconds. You should hear a “whoosh” sound when the gas is lit.

What does the pilot light on a gas hot water tank do?

If it has, this is something you can fix yourself. The pilot light is a small flame that lights the main burner whenever the tank needs heating and should be on at all times. It is easy to check if your pilot light has gone out and to relight it, but as with all home repair jobs, when attempting to relight your pilot light take extreme caution.

How long does a hot water tank last?

To prevent the hard water from deteriorating the inside of the tank, they come complete with “sacrificial anodes”, rods made of magnesium or aluminum. The water eats away at the anodes and spares the metal tank for a period of about 3-5 years.

Do you need a manual to light a gas water heater?

While having your heater’s instruction manual around is handy, it’s not entirely necessary, as most gas water heaters require a similar procedure for relighting the pilot light. Check the pilot light.

How are hot water heaters designed to withstand hard water?

Water heaters in North America are designed to withstand hard water conditions which is appropriate for Calgary — unless you have a water softener. To prevent the hard water from deteriorating the inside of the tank, they come complete with “sacrificial anodes”, rods made of magnesium or aluminum.

To prevent the hard water from deteriorating the inside of the tank, they come complete with “sacrificial anodes”, rods made of magnesium or aluminum. The water eats away at the anodes and spares the metal tank for a period of about 3-5 years.

What are the settings on the pilot light on a hot water heater?

The gas valve regulates the gas flow to both your pilot light and the burner below the hot water tank. There are typically 3 settings on the gas valve, they are on, off and pilot. For right now turn the valve to the off position and wait 5 minutes for any gas that might have built up to dissipate.

How long does it take to relight a hot water heater?

Give your water heater 20 to 30 minutes to heat the water back to the desired temperature, then go up and turn on a hot water tap to make sure everything is working good. Congratulations you just learned how to relight your hot water heater.

Water heaters in North America are designed to withstand hard water conditions which is appropriate for Calgary — unless you have a water softener. To prevent the hard water from deteriorating the inside of the tank, they come complete with “sacrificial anodes”, rods made of magnesium or aluminum.