Hot Water Heater

LEAKING 

  •  “Is the water coming from the water heater, or is the water coming from the pipes leading into the hot water heater?”

WATER IS COMING FROM THE PIPES 

    • BASEMENT HOMES
      • The water shut off valve will most likely be in the corner with the furnace. You will see two valves. One above the water meter and the other below the meter. Either one will turn it off.
    • NO BASEMENT HOMES
      • These valves may or may not be located outside the crawl space. Most likely the water valve will be in the crawl space. You can turn it off there. Look for the water meter by the crawl space entrance near the foundation wall.

WATER IS COMING FROM THE WATER HEATER

    • There will be a valve above the right side of the top of the water heater. This will close off the water supply to the water heater. There should be a RED tag that says “HOT WATER” indicating the valve.
    • The valve will be either flat and parallel to the pipe OR will be a circular knob that needs to be turned clockwise to turn the water off.
    • If you can not find this valve, look for the main water shut off.
      • BASEMENT HOMES
        • The water shut off valve will most likely be in the corner with the furnace. You will see two valves. One above the water meter and the other below the meter. Either one will turn it off.
      • NO BASEMENT HOMES
        • These valves may or may not be located outside the crawl space. Most likely the water valve will be in the crawl space. You can turn it off there. Look for the water meter by the crawl space entrance near the foundation wall.
  • ONCE YOU TURN THIS VALVE OFF
    • The water should stop leaking from the from the water heater. TURNING THE VALVE OFF HERE IS IDEAL BECAUSE THE HOUSE WILL HAVE COLD WATER….(NO HOT WATER THOUGH).
    • If the water is still draining, hook up a hose to the base of the water heater and point the hose towards the drain in the unfinished area. Open the water spigot and let the water drain out.
    • If the water is going everywhere, grab some old towels and make a dam around the drain to help corral it into the drain.

PILOT LIGHT 

    • “Do you see a little square red button or a red top that looks like it belongs on a gas BBQ grill?” If so, this is called your Ignition Button.
    • Follow the Silver Gas Supply line to the Black Pipe where there should be a valve.
    • If the Answer is “NO”, you will want to look for a LONG match or an electronic lighter with a long stem on it.
    • Remove the front cover. This is the piece of metal that covers the base of the water heater and should be at the base of the water heater.
    • On the hot water heater dial, there should be a little button to push that can only be pushed when the dial is in the correct position.
    • Push down and HOLD this button for 5 to 10 seconds, make sure that the match is lit or you have your lighter handy. In the front part by the gas pipes running into the water heater base, there is a little open ended channel pipe pointing towards the center of the water heater is where you direct the flame from your flame source.
      • The pilot light is hard to see if and when it turns on. Keep a sharp eye out and a keen ear to hear it light.
    • HOLD the button down for about 30 to 45 seconds longer to ensure that the heat sensor warms up. IF YOU DO NOT HOLD THE BUTTON DOWN LONG ENOUGH, THE SENSOR WILL TURN THE GAS OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS REPEAT THE SAME STEPS WHILE HOLDING THE BUTTON DOWN LONGER AGAIN.
    • Replace front cover and turn the dial to A, B, C or HOT. This is the thermostat and will govern how hot you want the water to be.
    • Turn dial to “Pilot”
    • Follow the Silver Gas Supply line to the Black Pipe where there should be a valve.
    • Make sure the Valve is Parallel to the Black Pipe
    • On the hot water heater dial, there should be a little button to push that can only be pushed when the dial is in the correct position.
    • Remove the front cover if applicable. This is the piece of metal that covers the base of the water heater and should be at the base of the water heater.
    • Push down and HOLD this button for 5 to 10 Seconds, THEN start to press the ignition button repeatedly until you see the pilot light come back on.
    • The pilot light is hard to see if and when it turns on. Keep a sharp eye out and a keen ear to hear it light.
    • HOLD the button down for about 30 to 45 seconds longer to ensure that the heat sensor warms up. IF YOU DO NOT HOLD THE BUTTON DOWN LONG ENOUGH, THE SENSOR WILL TURN THE GAS OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS REPEAT THE SAME STEPS WHILE HOLDING THE BUTTON DOWN LONGER AGAIN.
    • Replace front cover and turn the dial to A, B, C or HOT. This is the thermostat and will govern how hot you want the water to be.