No pilot on water heater

[hcarterjr]

I am trying to light the pilot on a hot water heater that has not been lit in about 2 years, the gas has been turned off, when I try to light it I hear air coming out of the pilot and see it blowing the flame from the lighter, but it will not light and I do not smell any gas while holding down the pilot, is there air in the line and how do I remove it, I have been trying to light it for about 2 days off and on, and have held down the pilot button for about five or ten minutes at a time could there be that much air in the line.

Thank You
HC in the "D"

[pushkins]

There may well be a great deal of air in the line if the gas was turned off at the street for 2 years.
Does your furnace ignite ?

[hcarterjr]

The furnace at this property does not work, the gas has been turned off at the meter in the basement, but when i opened the valve in the kitchen I did smell gas coming from it.

[pushkins]

Originally Posted by hcarterjr

the gas has been turned off at the meter in the basement,

What are you thinking ?????

If the gas is turned off at the meter in the basement then how do you ever expect to light the pilot light in the water heater ???????????

What you probably smelled in the kitchen is residual gas, sometimes the gas feed pipe if old enough ends up the a gas smell to it.


One more question ...why are you trying to light gas appliances in a home that has had the gas turned off for more than two years BEFORE calling the gas company to reinstate the gas ?

[hcarterjr]

Maybe you don't understand, this is my upper flat, the gas is turned on by the gas company, because I was not using this part of the house it was turned off at the meter in the basement, not the street, now I would like to use this flat as a game room for my pool table poker and what not.

[pushkins]

I guess I'm am confused now, I understand (now) that this is one property that has/had two different gas serviced areas.
First you must work out if the gas is turned on to this "flat" you should be able to follow the pipes in the basement to work out what pipes go to where. Once you have done this look for the shut off valve usually located near the gas meter in the basement. This valve must be turned so that the raised section runs parallel with he pipe (in line with). If this upper "flat" is on a separate meter then you MUST contact the gas company BEFORE you turn anything on.
To bleed the system of any air turn on the gas shut off valve then go to for example the stove valve, open this valve slightly and leave it open until you get a distinct smell and sound of gas. CLOSE this valve immediately once you have done this. As for your water heater then there are a couple of ways that you could do this. 1) you have already tried but it's the safest and my advice is you do it this way, just keep using the water heaters lighting instructions until it lights it shouldn't take all that long once gas is turned on at the main.
If at all your uncertain in what your doing call a plumber or HVAC guy,either of these people will be able to get the supply going for you (assuming it's allowable guy the gas company)

GAS IS DANGEROUS. be careful