Hello,

I replaced a shower valve in my basement bathroom. Before doing so, I shut off the water main, and shut off the supply to the water heater. After making the repair, I turned the supplies to the main and the water heater back on.

I see that the pilot is lit, but when I turn on the hot water in my house it lasts for only 5 - 10 seconds that then goes cold.

Can anyone help ?

Connect hose to drain valve of water heater. Put hose in sink or floor drain. Open drain valve and tell us what happens.

There seems to be no flow of water out of the tank.

Sure the CW valve at the heater is open? Should always be pressure if it is. Sometimes the gate valve disc comes off, happened to me. Check that next.

My apologies, I didn't have the water heater drain all the way open. There is water coming out of the tank.

The CW valve is open.

You should have full flow and pressure out of the water heater drain valve. If you don't you have a defective stop valve on the cold water input line.
If you do have full volume and pressure you most likely have a clogged or defective heat trap nipple on the hot water out line.