Plumbing Tips | March 21, 2023

Gas Water Heater Not Working? Try Doing This!

Gas Water Heater Not Working? Try Doing This!

If you suddenly lose hot water, or if your unit is not heating water efficiently, follow these steps for a gas hot water heater repair!

Where to Start on a Gas Water Heater Repair

Begin by removing the access panel at the bottom of your water heater tank and checking the pilot light. If it’s not burning, relight it according to the directions printed on the unit. Below, we also have a link to directions for every major model of a water heater.

If it won’t relight, you probably need a new thermocouple. If a yellow, rather than a blue, flame burns, you need to replace the thermocouple and clean the burner. Also, if you smell smoke or fumes, you need to check the flue immediately.

gas hot water heater repair - thermocouple
The thermocouple is a simple device that might need to be replaced if your gas hot water heater is no longer working.

Gas Water Heater Repair in 4 Steps

You will need 1 to 2 hours for any of the solutions below. In addition, you’ll also need some experience handling compression fittings on gas pipes, so this isn’t a job for first-timers. But if you have intermediate experience, you can get this done. Also, make sure you have these tools:

  • Wrench or pliers
  • Thin wire
  • Small wire brush
  • Vacuum cleaner

1. Shut Off Gas & Disconnect Tubes

  • Firstly, at the control box (bottom of tank), turn the top know to the “OFF” position,.
  • Allow five minutes for the gas in the lines to dissipate.
  • Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect the three tubes that connect the burner to the control box.
gas hot water heater repair - control valve chart
The gas control is located near the bottom of the tank. Notice the three tubes coming out of the bottom of the control? You will need to remove these (the thermocouple connection, the main burner supply line, and the pilot supply line).

2. Remove Burner

  • Remove the burner access panel.
  • Take care not to kink any of the tubes and you slide out the burner.
gas hot water heater repair - burner
Notice how the burner is attached to the access panel? Be careful when removing this assembly so you don’t kink or bend any of the tubes while sliding out the burner (the round part).

3. Clean & Reinstall Burner

  • Clean the ports on the burner with brushes or a vacuum cleaner.
  • Brush off loose rust.
  • Slide the burner in the water heater.
  • The flat end of the burner tube will fit securely into a slot in the bracket.
  • Coil the excess therocouple tubing in a loop 2 inches or larger,
  • Take care not to kink the tubing,.
  • Alight the tubes and connect them to the control using an adjustable wrench.
gas hot water heater repair - clean burner debris
After removing the burner, you might notice debris don’t top of it. Remove the debris with a vacuum (or by dumping it into the trash). Then replace the burner. But while you have the burner out, you can also take another step by placing the vacuum nozzle (or shooting compressed air) into the filter that is located under the burner.

4. Relight Pilot

  • To relight the pilot, turn the control know to the “PILOT” position.
  • Hold down the pilot button as you extend a fireplace match or a barbecue ignitor to light the pilot.
  • Keep the button depressed for at least 45 seconds, then release.
  • The pilot should stay lit. If not, you might need to adjust the thermocouple’s position.
  • Turn the control knob to “ON.” The burners should ignite.
  • If the pilot light still fails or does not stay lit, you’ll need to replace the old thermocouple. See below for instructions on how to do this.
repairs - lighting instructions
Your tank should have a label with instructions on how to light the pilot. If not, read our article on how to relight a pilot for every major brand of water heater.

How to Prevent Gas Water Heater Repair

Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your gas hot water heater from needing repairs. It will also extend the life of your unit. Here are some things you can do.

Avoid the dangerous buildup of fume: Check your water heater flue at least once a year. Be sure it efficiently pulls fumes out of your house. To test this, place a lit match near the flue. it should draw the flame up. If not, remove the flue and check for blockage. If none, call your plumber or local utility for assistance.

Clean the burner annually. Once a year, or at least whenever you replace the thermocouple, clean the burner. A clean burner operates more efficiently and extends the life of the gas hot water heater.

maintenance - flue for venting
Check the flue to make sure it is pulling air away from the heater and up through the flue vent. Instructions are above.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, learning how to make a gas hot water heater repair can take time. But it’s not complicated. The difficulty is in understanding the different parts and how they work together. It can also be scary because, let’s face it, working with gas and flame are intimidating.

But once you get past those barriers, making a gas hot water heater repair can be easy and fun.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help repairing or replacing your water heater.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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