OK, so we're in the process of selling our house. The new buyer asked us to fix the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve) on the hot water heater. Thank god I did that myself instead of hiring a plumber. I love fixing shit myself.

AZ Note: Can we add a Tim "The Toolman" Taylor smilie? That would be awesome!

Anyway, to fix the valve, I shut off the gas to the heater (it's a gas heater), and shut off the two supply valves to the water tank. Actually only one tube supplies the water tank, another tube goes into the supply tube before the supply tube goes into the hot water tank. I turned on some faucets to drain about 5-10 gallons of water from the tank, so I could replace the valve without having hot water spurt all over the place. The T&P Relief Valve is about 4 inchs from the top of the hot water tank, not on top.

After I changed the valve, I turned the two supply valves back on, and turned the gas supply valve back on. I looked to see if the pilot light was back I, but I didn't notice it because I turned on a faucet to the hot water part, and some warm water came out. Not hot, but warm.

Well I took a shower this morning, and it was cold, or barely lukewarm. I again checked to see if the pilot flame was lit, and I didn't see anything. The gas was on all night. Do I need to take one of those grill lighters and light the flame again? What if the gas is on and the flame is not lit? Will the house explode?

 

Sounds like you have to relight the pilot.

 

the house isn't going to explode, but if the heater is stuffed in a closet or something you might want to air it out a bit.


* note: i'm not liable if you take my advice at your own risk and the house DOES explode

 

Our pilot light goes out maybe once or twice a year. I figure it a variation in the gas pressure or a gust of wind tha blows through the door vents that snufs it out. Just vent the area and follow the pilot lighting instructions (they should be posted right there on the heater).

 

Do you own the heater or are yo renting it? Only reaosn I ask is because 90% of hot water heaters around here are rented. Anyway, if its rented just call the gas company. It should be free.

 

Light pilot.

 

We own the heater. It's in our house. I think I will have to light the pilot light when I get home.

 

If it keeps going out it is probably the thermocoupling. We have had ours replaced numerous times. It is this little copper wire which goes from that little box(with gas controls) to underneeth. My understanding of it is that the flame creates a miliamp of electricity which somhow keeps the vavle open which supplies gas to the pilot. Pilot goes out, gas goes off. This is what the plumber said anyway. It is something like 10 bucks for the part, and they charge something like 100-200 bucsk to replace it. It is an easy DIY however.

Mike