How to Relight a Gas Hot Water Pilot Light Safely

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Stepping into a cold shower is usually the first sign something's wrong with a gas hot water system, and more often than not, the culprit is a pilot light that's gone out. It's one of the most common reasons for a sudden loss of hot water, and on many systems it's something you can safely check and fix yourself in a few minutes.

That said, gas appliances aren't something to guess your way through. This guide walks through how to check if your pilot light is out, how to relight it safely if your system allows it, and the situations where you should stop and call a licensed gas fitter instead.

How to Tell If Your Pilot Light Has Gone Out

Most gas hot water systems have a small viewing window or panel near the base of the unit where you can see the pilot light.

Signs the pilot light is out

• No hot water anywhere in the house
• No small blue flame visible through the viewing window
• A gas smell near the unit (stop immediately if this is the case, see below)
• The system's indicator light or display shows a fault or "pilot" error
• The hot water stopped working suddenly, with no warning signs beforehand

Before You Do Anything: Check for a Gas Smell

This is the most important step. If you smell gas near the hot water system at any point:

1. Do not attempt to relight the pilot
2. Do not operate any light switches or electrical devices nearby
3. Turn off the gas supply at the meter if it's safe to do so
4. Leave the area and call a licensed gas fitter immediately

A gas smell means there's an unburnt gas leak, and relighting the pilot in that situation is genuinely dangerous. Everything below only applies once you've confirmed there's no gas smell present.

How to Relight a Gas Hot Water Pilot Light

Not all systems are designed for homeowners to relight themselves. Check your unit's manual or the instructions printed on the appliance first, since some models require a professional. If your system does allow it:

1. Locate the gas control knob, usually near the bottom of the unit, with settings for OFF, PILOT, and ON.
2. Turn the control knob to OFF and wait five minutes. This clears any residual gas from the system before you attempt to relight it.
3. Turn the knob to PILOT.
4. Press and hold the control knob (or the dedicated igniter button, depending on your model) while using the ignition button or a lighter at the pilot opening, as per your unit's instructions.
5. Hold the knob down for around 30 to 60 seconds after the flame lights, which allows the thermocouple to heat up enough to keep the gas valve open on its own.
6. Release the knob slowly. If the pilot flame goes out, the thermocouple hasn't heated sufficiently. Wait a moment and repeat the process.
7. Turn the control knob to ON once the pilot stays lit on its own.
8. Check the main burner ignites and that hot water is restored within 20 to 30 minutes.

If the pilot won't stay lit after two or three attempts, stop and call a gas fitter rather than continuing to try.

Why Does a Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

If relighting works but the pilot goes out again within a day or two, something is preventing it from staying lit reliably.

Faulty thermocouple
The thermocouple is a safety sensor that keeps the gas valve open once it detects the pilot flame's heat. A worn or faulty thermocouple can't hold that signal, so the gas valve closes and the pilot goes out.

Draught affecting the pilot
Strong draughts around the unit, particularly in exposed outdoor installations common in Gold Coast homes, can blow the small flame out repeatedly.

Dirty or blocked pilot orifice
Dust, insects or debris can partially block the small opening the pilot flame burns from, causing it to burn weak or extinguish easily.

Gas supply issue
A partially closed gas valve or a supply problem can starve the pilot of enough gas to stay lit consistently.

When to Call a Licensed Gas Fitter

Under Queensland regulations, only a licensed gas fitter can legally work on gas appliance components beyond simply relighting a pilot as per the manufacturer's instructions. Call one if:

• You smell gas at any point
• The pilot won't stay lit after a couple of relight attempts
• The system is more than 10 years old and frequently loses pilot ignition
• You're not comfortable or confident performing the relight process
• The unit shows an error code you don't recognise

For repairs beyond a simple pilot relight, our licensed team provides hot water system repair and installation across the Gold Coast, including thermocouple replacement and full system diagnostics.

Preventing Pilot Light Problems

• Keep the area around the unit clear of debris, leaves and insects
• Have your gas hot water system serviced annually by a licensed technician
• Consider a wind guard if your unit is in an exposed, draughty position
• Replace an ageing thermocouple proactively rather than waiting for it to fail

Final Thoughts

A pilot light going out is one of the most common reasons for lost hot water, and on many systems it's a safe, quick fix once you know the process. The one rule that overrides everything else: if you smell gas, stop immediately and call a licensed gas fitter rather than attempting to relight anything yourself.

Call Coastal Plumbing Professionals on 1300 590 085 for hot water system repairs across the Gold Coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe for me to relight my own pilot light?
If your system's manual permits it and there's no gas smell, yes. If you're unsure or the manual specifies a professional is required, call a licensed gas fitter instead.

Why does my pilot light keep going out after I relight it?
This usually points to a faulty thermocouple, a draught affecting the flame, or a blocked pilot orifice, all of which a gas fitter can diagnose and fix.

How often should a pilot light need relighting?
Rarely, if the system is functioning correctly. If you're relighting it more than once every few months, there's likely an underlying fault worth having checked.

What should I do if I smell gas near my hot water system?
Don't attempt to relight anything. Leave the gas control off, avoid switches or flames nearby, and call a licensed gas fitter immediately.

Can a worn thermocouple be replaced without replacing the whole system?
Yes, in most cases a thermocouple is an inexpensive part that a licensed gas fitter can replace without needing to replace the entire hot water unit.

Resources

1. Petroleum and gas safety | Resources Safety & Health Queensland
2. AS/NZS 5601 Gas Installations Standard
3. Working with gas | Queensland Building and Construction Commission