Repairing a Gas Hot Water System in a Simple Way

If your gas water heating system isn’t producing heat, providing enough hot water, or staying lit, it’s time to get it fixed. To save money, it’s ideal if you fix it yourself before calling a professional plumber.

Here are some of the most common problems with gas hot water heaters, as well as their solutions:

The Gas Water Heating System Isn’t Working

When your gas heating system fails and your water does not heat, take the following steps:

1. Make sure the gas to your hot water heating system is turned on or open. When gazing inside, the gas control knob should be in the PILOT position to prevent the burner from igniting. The metal cover at the bottom of the water heating system must be removed and the pilot light and/or burnt must be examined.
2. When the water heater’s pilot light goes out, follow the instructions printed on the tank to relight the tank. It’s possible that the gas inlet valve will be completely or partially closed. You must then relight the pilot by turning the handle parallel to the line. If the pilot fails to light, the thermocouple may be defective. This will necessitate the assistance of a hot water heater repair expert or a representative from a gas utility provider. Note that, instead of a pilot, newer water heating systems may use a spark ignitor or a glow plug.
3. If the burner is not turned on, replace the lid and check that the thermostat is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water does not reach this temperature, switch on the hot water faucet and wait a few minutes to see if the water heater burner has ignited. Simply leave the hot water running while lowering and raising the temperature setting on the dial until the burner ignites.
4. When the burner ignites, replace the burner cover and return the thermostat to the proper temperature. If the burner on the water heater does not light, have it checked by a professional.
5. Check for gas in your heater. If you detect a garlic-like odor, turn off the gas valve control. Relight the pilot light only when the gas smell has gone away; otherwise, turn off the gas supply valve immediately, ventilate the area, and call a gas utility person or a plumber if the gas smell gets strong and does not go away.

The Water Isn’t Getting Enough Heat

Follow these steps if the heater fails to heat the water to a particular temperature:

1. Set the water heater’s thermostat to a higher temperature. If the flame ignites while doing this, check the water temperature in one hour. Place a meat thermometer in one cup and fill it with boiling water for one minute.
2. If you can’t hear the water heater burner ignite, check the pilot light. You can also let the water cool down.

Whatever problem you may have with your gas water heater, you will always be able to find a solution.