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    sparkyshock1's Avatar
    sparkyshock1 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 2, 2008, 04:20 PM
    Water heater pilot won't light
    Today I moved my gas water heater over a few inches to gain more space between wall for access to drain clean-out. Unfortunately the outlet side pipe was over my exhaust and it ran out more water, to my surprise, after the initial disconnection time. Well I got everything back together and the pilot won't light, it's a striker type, no other way to access to light manually. Maybe it got wet? And yes I confirmed I have gas.

    Help!
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Mar 2, 2008, 04:57 PM
    Hey Sparky... on some of those striker type ignitors you need to really strike at it... 5-6 times ultra fast... to get that pilot to light. Then keep repeating... multiple quick sparks while holding that pilot button in. It should light pretty quickly.

    How old is the heater?
    sparkyshock1's Avatar
    sparkyshock1 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 2, 2008, 05:13 PM
    I think it about 20 years old. I did try multiple times in rapid fire to get it going, no luck. I have better success with electrical(licensed at that), that is my background as the name would suggest. The irony is that it is an electrical problem now, how about that.
    By the way on the plumbing deal I've decided to vent individually, I'm too chicken with wet venting, and since I have new walls to run it.. i.e... master bath for master bedroom what's a bunch more pvc/fittings to run.. cheap! But I do only need individually 1" vent for vanity and shower.. correct?

    John
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    Mar 2, 2008, 05:19 PM
    Hey John

    Cool on working out the pilot issue.. let me know what you find... always interested in that stuff.

    And the individual vents... stick to 1.5 inch pipe and fittings... just makes the whole job easier. By code you could run a minimum 1-1/4"vent for these... but knowone I know does it... I say more more air here is better.

    Good luck.

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