If you find yourself taking a cold shower when you have the handle turned to warm, your pilot light on your water heater may have gone out. Follow these instructions on how to light a pilot light on a gas water heater and you'll have hot water once again. This page shows you How to Light a Pilot Light on a Gas Water Heater.

• Know how your gas water heater works: Does it have a pilot light which needs to be lit by a flame? Does it have a button to ignite via pezioelectric spark?

• Use a lighter with a long tip, like those used for barbeques and fireplaces.

• Check for the smell of gas. Don't overlook this step to be certain that the room hasn't filled with natural gas, which could cause an explosion.

• Follow the instructions that came with your water heater. If you've lost the owner's manual, look at the side of the water heater. Instructions are usually found there.

• If you're unsure of anything or feel uncomfortable doing this, call a professional.

• Take a flashlight with you so you can see inside the water heater.

Re-lighting your pilot is a fairly simple procedure, but you'll need to carefully follow safety guidelines because natural gas can be dangerous. The instructions on how to light your water heater's pilot are likely on the side of the unit. If not, look for the water heater's owner's manual and follow any steps in the instructions specific to your model that differ from this guide.

Newer water heaters do not have a pilot light, but instead use a piezoelectric spark. You simply press a button to ignite it. See the near the bottom of the page titled "Lighting a Water Heater with an Igniter Button" for more information. The instructions set forth here require a long-reach butane lighter to light the pilot, so have one handy. You may also need a wrench or pair of pliers to get the cover off of the water heater, but many models have snap-on covers. You'll also find a flashlight helpful if the lighting conditions near the water heater are not ideal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://home.howstuffworks.com/pilot-light.htm http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

First, consider why the pilot may have gone out. If you think it's for any unusual reason, call a professional. Sniff the area around the water heater for the smell of gas (the natural gas in your home has the smell of rotten eggs). If you smell any gas away from the immediate area of the water heater, call a professional.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Check the position of all of the valves. You should see a valve on the main gas line to the water heater that is in line with the gas line. Note the position of the temperature valve so you'll remember where to set it when you are finished.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Turn all of the gas valves off. The main gas valve is off when the lever is perpendicular to the line or valve. Turn the control valve to OFF. Wait five minutes to make sure no gas is present. Smell the area again to confirm that no gas is present and if you don't smell any, continue.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Disassemble any doors or panels (there are usually two of them) you need to remove to access the main burner plates. Check the pilot to see whether it is lit. Smell the immediate area around the opening to again check for gas.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Turn the main gas valve on (in line with the gas pipe or valve body). Set the unit's temperature to PILOT, or its lowest setting (possibly labeled VACATION) so the burner plates won't come on when you light the pilot. When the control valve is on PILOT, on water heaters without a separate button, you'll be able to push the knob down. Other types have a separate button, usually colored red.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Push the valve down and hold it down. While continuing to hold down the control valve, put a long-reach butane lighter into the water heater inside the opening towards the pilot. With the lighter at the pilot, turn on the lighter to light the pilot. Keep the control valve held in for one minute to ensure that the thermocouple detects the pilot light and the pilot light will remain lit. Check to make sure the pilot light is still on. If it is, release the control valve and turn the control valve to ON.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

To force the burners on to make sure they work, turn the temperature valve all the way up and check to make sure they're on. If they are, turn the temperature valve to it's normal setting that you noted earlier. (NOTE: If you have children in the house be sure not to set the temperature past HOT to prevent scalding). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html

Replace the pilot door, making sure everything fits as it was originally placed. After giving the water heater some time to work (the time will vary depending on how long the pilot light was out), run some water from a faucet to make sure that it is hot.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnIlqncqEm8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIhtwXlZl4 http://www.ehow.com/video_117729_relight-water-heater.html