Relighting the Pilot Light: A Step-by-Step Guide for Rheem Water Heaters
How to Relight the Pilot Light on a Rheem Water Heater
If youve recently noticed that your hot water isnt as hot as it used to be, or if your water heater is no longer producing hot water at all, you may need to relight the pilot light on your Rheem water heater. Relighting the pilot light is a relatively simple process that doesnt require any tools or specialized knowledge. All you need is a match and a few minutes of your time.
Before you begin, its important to make sure that the gas is shut off to your water heater. You can do this by turning the gas knob to the off position. Once youve shut off the gas, youll need to locate the pilot light. On most Rheem water heaters, the pilot light can be found on the lower left side of the unit.
Once youve located the pilot light, you can begin the relighting process. Start by pressing down on the reset button located near the pilot light. You should hear a clicking sound as the button is pressed. This will reset the pilot light and prepare it for relighting.
Next, press down on the gas control knob located next to the pilot light. This will release gas into the pilot light area. Once youve done this, you can use a match to light the pilot light. Make sure to keep the match at least 18 inches away from the pilot light while lighting it, as the flame could be dangerous if its too close.
Once the pilot light is lit, you can slowly release the gas control knob. You should hear a hissing noise as the gas is released. Once the hissing stops, the pilot light should remain lit. You can then turn the gas knob back to the on position and your water heater should be ready to go.
If the pilot light doesnt stay lit after you release the gas control knob, its possible that there is an issue with the gas supply or the pilot light itself. Its best to contact a qualified technician to inspect your water heater in this case.
Relighting the pilot light on a Rheem water heater is a relatively simple process that most homeowners can do on their own. However, if youre still unsure about the process or youre having difficulty relighting the pilot light, its always best to contact a qualified technician to assist you.