How Do You Relight A Water-Heater Pilot Light?
Set the gas-control knob to the Off position and turn the thermostat to its lowest setting (typically clockwise in both cases). Wait 5 minutes for any gas to clear. If after 5 minutes you smell gas, do not proceed. Call the utility company for immediate service. Open or remove the outer and inner access covers for the burning chamber using a wrench or pliers. Use a flashlight to locate the end of the pilot-light tube that extends from the gas-control valve into the burning chamber. Adjust your position so you can comfortably reach this point with a wooden match and see what you are doing. Turn the control knob to the pilot position and immediately hold a match near the end of the pilot-light tube. Depress and hold the reset button on the gas-control valve (see illustration). Remove the match as soon as the pilot lights, but keep the button depressed for about a minute. If the pilot does not remain lighted, repeat all these steps. Otherwise, turn the gas cock on the control valve to the