For many homeowners, lighting a pilot light can be a daunting task. There are many theories and methods for lighting the pilot on your water heater – some of which involve leaving the gas line wide open or creating just enough gas to get it lit.
But, calling an expert makes more sense whether you’ve never attempted such a feat before, you’re uncertain if you’re doing it correctly, or your water heater is showing signs of serious problems. Plumbing professionals have formal knowledge on how to light a pilot light on a water heater.
5 Reasons Why its Best to Call Experts to Light a Pilot Light on Your Water Heater
Reasons to call professionals are as follows.
1. It’s Better to be Safe than Sorry
While this may not be the most crucial reason to hire an expert, it is one of the most common reasons people hire an expert.
Indeed, lighting a pilot light on your water heater is not the most dangerous task that you’ll likely perform in your home. However, it does require you to be very careful and knowledgeable of the dangers your home poses when gas is present.
For this reason, many homeowners decide to call experts with any job that involves a pilot light, especially if they’re going through a dry period where it is turned off for an extended period.
2. You Might Do It Wrong and Blow Up Your House
Even if you successfully light the pilot light on your water heater, it can cause an explosion if you’re not careful where the gas is flowing.
To illustrate this dilemma, imagine two water heaters connected to the same gas line. If you light the pilot on one of these water heaters but not the other – it can cause an explosion.
3. You Can’t See What You’re Doing
One of the most dangerous aspects of lighting your pilot light is that you cannot see what’s going on with the water heater. Since you have to stand directly over the pilot, gas is flowing directly toward your face, and there’s a chance that you could be burned if not careful.
4. Regular Maintenance is Important, Too
You should call experts to light the pilot on your water heater because this is just one of the tasks involved with regular maintenance.
For instance, if you’ve hired a professional to check and clean your water heater regularly, then they’ll be able to notice problems that you can’t see, such as sediment buildup or corroding parts – both of which might result in an explosion.
5. Professionals are Cheaper
If you’re not getting regular maintenance on your water heater, then it’s likely that you’ll be forced to make an emergency call.
If you get regular maintenance, this is much less likely to happen because professionals will notice problems before they become major. They can fix the problem right away, and it won’t be nearly as expensive.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, lighting a pilot light on your water heater may appear to be a simple task, but it can pose risks if not done correctly. Therefore, it’s advisable to seek the expertise of professionals who have the necessary experience and knowledge to ensure the process is performed safely and efficiently. By doing so, you can avoid potential hazards and extend the life of your water heater, saving you money in the long run. Whether you need help with lighting a pilot light or any significant plumbing issue, it’s always best to rely on professionals to prevent potential problems that may arise.
